Click On Image
For Full Size Image |
Size |
Image Description |
Contributed
By And/Or Copyright |
 |
10K
48k |
Jackson Charles Pharris was born in Columbus, Georgia on 26 June 1912. Entering the Navy from the state of California, he moved upward through the ranks. On 7 December 1941, he was stationed in USS California at the Pearl Harbor Naval Station in Hawaii. His citation reads: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while attached to the USS California during the surprise enemy Japanese aerial attack on Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941. In charge of the ordnance repair party on the third deck when the first Japanese torpedo struck almost directly under his station, Lt. (then Gunner) Pharris was stunned and severely injured by the concussion which hurled him to the overhead and back to the deck. Quickly recovering, he acted on his own initiative to set up a hand-supply ammunition train for the antiaircraft guns. With water and oil rushing in where the port bulkhead had been torn up from the deck, with many of the remaining crewmembers overcome by oil fumes, and the ship without power and listing heavily to port as a result of a second torpedo hit, Lt. Pharris ordered the shipfitters to counterflood. Twice rendered unconscious by the nauseous fumes and handicapped by his painful injuries, he persisted in his desperate efforts to speed up the supply of ammunition and at the same time repeatedly risked his life to enter flooding compartments and drag to safety unconscious shipmates who were gradually being submerged in oil. By his inspiring leadership, his valiant efforts and his extreme loyalty to his ship and her crew, he saved many of his shipmates from death and was largely responsible for keeping California in action during the attack. His heroic conduct throughout this first eventful engagement of World War II reflects the highest credit upon Lieutenant Pharris and cohances the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service".
USS Pharris (DE-1094) was the first ship to be named in his honor.
Top Photo: Credited to Howard Lipin of the San Diego Union-Tribune
Bottom Photo: President Harry Truman presents the Medal of Honor to three former servicemen, in ceremonies at the White House on 25 June 1948. Recipients are (left to right): Lieutenant Commander Jackson Charles Pharris, USN (Ret); Pharmacist's Mate First Class Francis Junior Pierce, USN; and Staff Sergeant John R. Crews, U.S. Army. (US Navy photo #80-G-705728 from the US Naval Historical Center) |
Bill Gonyo |
 |
83k |
undated image |
- |
 |
121k |
1 August 1978: NavSta Norfolk VA - Sunset silhouettes of, from left, the nuclear-powered guided missile cruiser USS South Carolina (CGN-37), the frigate USS Pharris (FF-1094), and the frigate USS Thomas C. Hart (FF-1092). (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-88-07398 by Fred Maroon from the Defense Visual Information Center) |
Navsource |
 |
219k |
1 January 1980: at sea - An aerial starboard bow view of Pharris underway during Exercise UNITAS XXI. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-82-10603 from the DVIC) |
 |
89k |
1980's |
Lee Atkins BT3
(1982-1984) |
 |
253k |
1 September 1982: off the South American coast during UNITAS XXI - A port beam view of Pharris. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-83-00131 from the DVIC) |
Navsource |
 |
199k |
1 September 1982: off the South American coast during UNITAS XXI - An aerial port beam view. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-83-00132 from the DVIC) |
 |
166k |
1 September 1982: off the South American coast during UNITAS XXI - A horizontal starboard quarter view. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-83-00133 from the DVIC) |
 |
133k |
1 October 1982: off the South American coast during UNITAS XXI - A starboard bow view. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-83-00271 from the DVIC) |
 |
163k |
1 October 1982: off the South American coast during UNITAS XXI - A starboard beam view. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-83-00272 from the DVIC) |
 |
210k |
1 October 1982: in port during UNITAS XXI - A port bow view of the UNITAS XXI ships in port during the exercise. From left to right, Pharris, the guided missile destroyer King (DDG-41) and the destroyer Arthur W. Radford (DD-968). (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-83-00273 from the DVIC) |
 |
327k |
1 October 1982: off the South American coast during UNITAS XXI - An aerial starboard beam view of Pharris and the destroyer Arthur W. Radford (DD-968). (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-83-00276 from the DVIC) |
 |
320k |
1 October 1982: off the South American coast during UNITAS XXI - An aerial starboard beam view of Pharris. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-83-00278 from the DVIC) |
 |
158k |
1 October 1985: at sea during NATO Exercise BALTOPS '85 - The fleet oiler USS Merrimack (AO-179) refuels Pharris. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-86-04965 by PH1 Jeff Hilton from the DVIC) |
 |
183k |
1 October 1985: at sea during NATO Exercise BALTOPS '85 - A port view of Pharris followed by the guided missile frigate USS Halyburton (FFG-40). An unidentified NATO ship is in the background. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-90-03244 by PH2 Tracy Lee Didas from the DVIC) |
 |
188k |
1 November 1985: at sea during NATO Exercise BALTOPS '85 - A port beam view of Pharris underway. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-86-04963 by PH3 J. Elliot from the DVIC) |
 |
53k |
1986 |
Mark Webber |
 |
160k |
undated ship portrait by © Atlantic Fleet Sales |
Robert M. Cieri |
 |
281k |
28 April 1989: at sea - A port beam view of Pharris, one of the ships accompanying the aircraft carrier Forrestal (CV-59) to New York City for Fleet Week '89. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-89-09251 by PH2 Buckner from the DVIC) |
Navsource |
 |
211k |
29 April 1989: at sea - A port bow view of Pharris, one of the ships accompanying Forrestal to New York City. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-89-07759 by PHCM Dittmar from the DVIC) |
 |
121k |
4 May 1989: New York NY - US Navy and Coast Guard ships lie tied up at the Manhattan Passenger Terminal during Fleet Week. In the foreground is the high endurance cutter USCGC Hamilton (WHEC-715) with a civilian tug boat tied up alongside. In the background are the frigates Pharris, left, and W.S. Sims (FF-1059). (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SN-90-09467 by PH2 Randy Waterman from the DVIC) |
 |
15k |
1989 |
Mark Webber |
 |
37k |
1989: good shot of the SH-2F Kaman Seasprite helo we carried. |
 |
157k |
6 October 1989: Port Everglades FL - Pharris, decorated with bunting and a rainbow flag hoist, sits tied up at the pier during Navy Appreciation Week 1989, which is sponsored by the Port Everglades Authority, the Broward County community and the Navy League of the United States. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-90-05520 by PH2 E.E. Crawford from the DVIC) |
Navsource |
 |
156k |
13 October 1989: Port Everglades FL - Crewmen stand at attention on the pier beside Pharris for the ship's change of command ceremony. The ceremony is taking place during Navy Appreciation Week 1989. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-ST-90-05527 by PH2 E.E. Crawford from the DVIC) |
 |
194k |
8 October 1994: Portsmouth VA - A view of a portion of the mothball fleet in storage near Portsmouth. From left to right is the salvage vessel Preserver (ARS-8) the Knox class frigates Pharris and Aylwin (FF-1081) and several Newport class tank landing ships. (US Navy photo DVID #DN-SC-95-01400 by Don S. Montgomery from the DVIC) |
