Harold W Marney was born August 25, 1924 in Springfield, Massachusetts. 

He enlisted in the United States Navy to serve during World War II. Marney was a Motor Machinist's Mate Second Class with the rank of Petty Officer Second Class. 

Marney was 18 years old, the youngest crewmember of the PT-109, had just recently joined the crew. 


PT 109 commanded by Kennedy was out on patrol on the night of 1-2 August 1943 to intercept Japanese warships in the straits. The PT boat was creeping along to keep the wake and noise to a minimum in order to avoid detection. Around 0200 with Kennedy at the helm, the Japanese destroyer Amagiri traveling at 40 knots cut PT 109 in two in ten seconds.

Marney was in the forward gun turret at his station at the time of impact and was killed instantly. His body was never found.

Marney was one of two crew members of Lieutenant John F. Kennedy's PT-109 who were lost when the boat was struck at night by the Japanese destroyer Amagiri. 



July 1943, Members of the crew of PT-109 pose for a photo on deck.
Top row left to right are Al Webb (standing far left, friend and not a crew member) Leon E. Drawdy,
Edgar E. Mauer, Edmund T. Drewitch, John E. Maguire.
Bottom row left to right are Charles A. Harris, Maurice L. Kowal, Andrew J. Kirkesy, Leonard J. Thom,
and John F. Kennedy (standing far right).

Harold W. Marney and his brother Roland Vaughn Marney

Massachusetts State Veterans Cemetery - Agawam

My Dad, Allen E Zumwalt US Navy torpedoman 3rd class headstone is in same section of that beautiful cemetary. When I visit I always go to Harold's grave and say a prayer for him.

HAROLD W MARNEY

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