HOPEDALE, Jan. 28 [1946] - Lieut. Donald Raymond Midgley, 28, son of Mr. and Mrs. John Midgley, 171 Dutcher Street, who has been listed as missing in action since May 1944, is now presumed to be deceased, according to a letter received Saturday by his parents.
Lieut. Midgley was born in Milford and came here to live as a young boy. He graduated from the high school and then entered the Naval Academy in Annapolis, graduating in 1941
He was assigned to the cruiser Astoria and later attended the submarine school in New London and a gunnery school, and before entering the submarine service was a gunnery instructor. He had served in the submarine service two years, being executive officer and second in command on the Gudgeon. (photo below)
This sub was credited by the navy with the sinking of more tonnage of enemy craft than any other and in December 1943, the officers and crew were cited and Lieut. Midgley received the submarine combat insignia with three stars.
Lieut. Midgley was on his last patrol at the time the sub was reported missing. As all members of the 1941 class at Annapolis have attained the rating of lieutenant commander, he doubtless would have been accorded this commission had he returned to the base.
In addition to his parents, he is survived by a sister, Mrs. J. Francis Cahill of Milford. He is the 10th local serviceman to give his live in World War II and the last of several men reported as missing to be officially declared deceased.
The communication from the Navy department follows:
"Your son, Lieut. Donald Raymond Midgley, United States Navy, has been carried on the official records of the Navy department in the status of missing in action as of May 5, 1944. He was serving on board the USS Gudgeon when that submarine failed to return from patrol operations in the Pacific area.
On April 7, 1944, the Gudgeon departed from Johnston Island to patrol waters in the Western Pacific where she was likely to encounter the enemy. Subsequent to her departure from Johnston Island, the Gudgeon failed to acknowledge three messages, the last of which was sent on May 14, 1944. To date, no further information has been received by the navy concerning the fate of the submarine.
In view of the length of time that has now elapsed since your son was reported to be missing and because there have been on official nor unconfirmed reports that any personnel of the vessel survived or were taken prisoner of war, I am reluctantly forced to the conclusion that your son is deceased." James Forrestal
Milford Daily News
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