Edward Mortimer Ferris was born in 1909, in Ohio to Raymond West Ferris and Henrietta Davis. Raymond Ferris was a noted yachtsman before World War II, and served as a Lt. Commander in the U.S. Navy during that war.

Edward couldn’t wait for the U.S. to enter the war. He volunteered for the British Royal Navy repeatedly and was the first sea officer accepted to the Royal Navy College. His career with the British fleet in the North Atlantic and the Mediterranean was exemplary.

He served as an officer aboard three ships, the ex-French destroyer Le Melpomene, the Sennen and the Bayard. He was in command of the Bayard off Anzio beach when the bridge took a hit from a bomb. He was wounded and lost most of his sight but remained in command. His officers and men covered for him until his disability became too evident in June 1944.

From the book "Passport not required : U.S. volunteers in the Royal Navy, 1939 and 1941 (2010)":
Returning to England, after treatment he completed the Royal Navy’s senior officers course in Greenwich. His last tasking with the RN was as Senior British Officer, West Coast, San Francisco.

While in England, he met and married Kathleen Parry. Their daughter, Henrietta, was born there in 1944.

Edward died in New York City on August 17, 1983.

Source of information: http://www.ferrisfamily.us

Source of photo: https://www.unithistories.com