Worth Bagley was born in Raleigh, NC in 1874 to a prominent Raleigh family. He was a naval officer aboard the USS Winslow during the Spanish-American War. As the first soldier to die during this conflict on May 11, 1898, he became the war’s first national hero. Bronze Plaque: WORTH BAGLEY / ENSIGN UNITED STATES NAVY /THE FIRST AMERICAN OFFICER / AND ONLY LINE OFFICER OF THE NAVY / WHO FELL IN / THE SPANISH-AMERICAN WAR / KILLED ON BOARD / THE U.S. TORPEDO BOAT WINSLOW / DURING THE BOMBARDMENT / AT CARDENAS, CUBA, MAY 11, 1889 / SON OF WILLIAM HENRY BAGLEY / AND ADELAIDE WORTH BAGLEY / BORN IN RALEIGH N.C. APRIL 6, 1874 / APPOINTED CADET U.S. NAVAL ACADEMY / JULY 1, 1889 / COMMISSIONED ENSIGN U.S. NAVY / JULY 7, 1897 / “AND THUS THIS MAN DIED, LEAVING HIS DEATH / FOR AN EXAMPLE OF A NOBLE COURAGE / AND A MEMORY OF VIRTUE NOT ONLY UNTO YOUNG MEN, BUT UNTO ALL HIS NATION.” / SECOND MACCABEES, 6:31
Installation Date:
24 Jul 1903
Organization Responsible for Installation:
The monument was placed by Worth Bagley’s mother, Adelaide Worth Bagley.
Memorial War Era(s):
- Other
Memorial Condition:
Good
Website:
http://docsouth.unc.edu/commland/monument/628
Location:
The memorial is located in Historic Oakwood Cemetery, at 701 Oakwood Ave, Raleigh, NC 27601. It stands at the intersection of Oakwood Avenue and Linden Avenue, in Christ Church Section, Lot 1 of Oakwood Cemetery.