Purvis Wayne Gilmore was reported “missing in action” on the 7th of May 1942. It is presumed that being a member of the USS SIMS crew shown that he was missing in action once the destroyer sunk. In accordance with Section 5 of Public Law, Purvis was presumed to have died on the 8th of May 1943, following the day of expiration of an absence of twelve months. In memory of Purvis Wayne Gilmore, he has a memorial in Egger Cemetery, Caledonia, MS. He also has a memorial in Manila American Cemetery and Memorial in Manila, Philippines. To commemorate Purvis Gilmore, he was given the Purple Heart, which is an award that is given to soldiers who died while serving the U.S. Military. The award was exclusively awarded to Army and Army Air Corps personnel and could not be awarded posthumously to the next of kin.