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Henry Elpidio Bucci

Master Gunnery Sergeant Henry “Bucky” Bucci served with the Marine detachment aboard the cruiser USS Vincennes (CA-44).
He was lost at sea in the battle of Savo Island, off Guadalcanal, on 9 August 1942.

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Branch

Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 165721

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Current Status

Lost At Sea

Pursuit Category

Based on circumstances of loss, this individual is considered permanently non-recoverable.

Capsule History

Pre-War Life

Birth

February 28, 1897
at Providence, RI

Parents

Ismaele Bucci
Anna Bucci

Education

Providence Technical High School (1915)

Occupation & Employer

Professional Marine

Service Life

Entered Service

1915 – 1920 (Army)
August 17, 1920 (USMC)

Home Of Record

Providence, RI

Next Of Kin

Wife, Mrs. Florence M. Bucci

Military Specialty

Gunnery Sergeant

Primary Unit

USS Vincennes

Campaigns Served

Midway
Guadalcanal / Savo Island

Individual Decorations

Purple Heart
World War I Victory Medal

Additional Service Details

Bucci served overseas with the Coast Artillery Corps from 1917 – 1919.

Loss And Burial

Circumstances Of Loss

Master Gunnery Sergeant Henry Bucci – known as “Bucky” – served as a senior enlisted man aboard the cruiser USS Vincennes from April 1941 to August 1942. A veteran of the Great War and several overseas deployments, Bucci was one of the most experienced men aboard the cruiser, and was placed in charge of the detachment’s ordnance. He participated in the Doolittle Raid, and saw action in the battle of Midway before sailing for the Solomon Islands in the summer of 1942.

At 0155 on 9 August 1942, bright searchlights stabbed out of the darkness and illuminated Vincennes. The cruiser let loose a salvo, but was almost immediately bracketed by Japanese shells. In just fifteen minutes, she suffered at least 85 hits from large and medium caliber shells, and at least one torpedo strike. Without power, aflame from stem to stern, Vincennes drifted to a stop and began to list.

Gunfire damage report for USS Vincennes, 1942.

Captain Frederick Reifkohl passed the word to abandon ship at 0230; ten minutes later, Vincennes slipped beneath the waves. Of nearly 900 crew, 332 men – among them “Bucky” Bucci – died in the battle for Savo Island.

Burial Information or Disposition

Remains lost at sea; ship considered to be final resting place.

Memorials

Next Of Kin Address

Address of wife, Mrs. Florence Bucci.

Location Of Loss

The Vincennes sank in Iron Bottom Sound at approximately 0240 hours.

Related Profiles

USS Vincennes Marines lost at Savo Island
Officers Temporarily Attached for Flight Duty
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