John Michael Bermingham

John Michael Bermingham was born in New York City on 5 July 1905 and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1929.

Naval career

During the 1930s, Bermingham served in many ships, including the battleships USS "Wyoming", USS "Utah", and the cruiser USS "Augusta", as well as various shore stations.

World War II

In 1940, Bermingham was appointed executive officer of destroyer USS "Stewart". At the outbreak of war with Japan, on 7 December 1941, Bermingham was a Lieutenant Commander and second-in-command of the four-piper destroyer USS "Peary". During the first Japanese attack on Cavite, 10 December, Peary's commanding officer was wounded and Bermingham took command.

The ship was assigned to offshore patrol and came under heavy air attack many times in the following days. Only brilliant seamanship during bombing and torpedo attacks 26 and 27 December saved her from destruction.

Despite Japanese air superiority, Bermingham succeeded in bringing his ship to Darwin, Australia, to operate with ABDACOM naval forces attempting to hold the "Malay Barrier". "Peary" operated with the cruiser USS "Houston" in early February.

In mid-February, "Peary" was part of an unsuccessful attempt to resupply Allied forces under attack on Timor. She was anchored at Darwin when the Japanese attacked in a massive bombing raid on 19 February 1942. Bermingham got his ship underway and attempted to maneuver in the restricted waters; but, despite valiant antiaircraft fire, his ship was hit with five bombs. Bermingham and about 80 of his crew went down with the ship. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his courage and leadership while commanding Peary during this crucial early period of the war.

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References

* [http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/j3/john_m_bermingham.htm John M. Bermingham] , DANFS