Bill Kelly SM2 is the hero that retrieved the national ensign from the main deck that was knocked down by a Japanese Kamikaze. A wounded shipmate was laying outside of the wardroom with his leg blown off. He asked Bill, who was on his way back up to the signal bridge with the flag, if he could have it.
Bill gave him the flag and he died clutching the flag to his chest.
Bill Kelly
Bill Kelly was the last surviving plank owner of the USS Laffey commissioning crew.