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Navsource Online: Destroyer Escort Photo Archive

USS John J. Powers (DE 528)


Flag Hoist / Radio Call Sign:
N - T - O - H
Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from top to bottom, left to right
American Campaign Medal - European-Africa-Middle East Campaign Medal w/ 1 star - World War II Victory Medal
Specifications:
Class: Evarts
Type: GMT (diesel-electric tandem motor drive, short hull, 3" guns)
Displacement: 1,140 tons (light), 1,430 tons (full)
Length: 283' 6" (wl), 289' 5" (oa)
Beam: 35' 0" (extreme)
Draft: 11' 0" (draft limit)
Propulsion: 4 GM Model 16-278A diesel engines with electric drive, 6000 shp, 2 screws
Speed: 19 kts
Range: 4,150 nm @ 12 knots
Armament: 3 - 3"/50 Mk22 (1x3), 1 - 1.1"/75 cal. Mk2 quad AA (4x1), 9 x 20mm Mk 4 AA, 1 Hedgehog Projector Mk10 (144 rounds), 8 Mk6 depth charge projectors, 2 Mk9 depth charge tracks
Complement: 15 / 183
John J. Powers (DE 528) Building and Operational Data:
  • 25 September 1943: Keel laid by the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, Mass.
  • 2 November 1943: Launched and christened, sponsored by Mrs. John J. Powers, mother of Lt. Powers
  • 29 February 1944: Commissioned, Lcdr E. W. Loew in command
  • 16 October 1945: Decommissioned at Charleston, S.C.
  • 1 November 1945: Stricken from the NVR
  • February 1946: Scrapped at the Charleston Navy Yard
    Click On Image
    For Full Size Image    		 Size Image Description Contributed
    By And/Or Copyright
    John J. Powers 8k John James Powers was born in New York City on 3 July 1912 and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1935. After serving at sea for 5 years, he underwent flight training, reporting 21 January 1941 to Bombing Squadron 5, attached to the famed carrier Yorktown (CV 5). As the fleet moved to prevent further Japanese expansion in the Solomons on 1942, Powers took part in the important raid on Tulagi 4 May, flying without fighter cover to score two hits on Japanese ships. As the main Battle of the Coral Sea developed 7 May, Lt. Powers and his companions discovered carrier Shoho and, bombing at extremely low altitudes, sank her in 10 minutes. Next morning while the great carrier battle continued, he joined the attack on Shokaku, scoring an important bomb hit. His intrepid, low-bombing run, however, brought Powers into heavy antiaircraft fire; and his plane plunged into the sea. Lt. Powers was declared dead; but, for his indomitable spirit in this series of attacks, was awarded the Medal of Honor posthumously. According to the citation: "... completely disregarding the safety altitude and without fear or concern for his own safety, he courageously pressed home his attack, almost to the very deck of an enemy carrier and did not release his bomb until he was sure of a direct hit."

    USS John J. Powers (DE 528) was the first ship to be named in his honor.

    (Photo from the US Naval Academy)    		 Bill Gonyo
    John J. Powers 114k 27 April 1944 John Klar
    John J. Powers 45k undated wartime image
    View the USS John J. Powers (DE 528) DANFS history entry
    located on the Naval History and Heritage Command web site.
    Crew Contact And Reunion Information
    None
    Note About Contacts

    Contact information is compiled from various sources over a period of time and may, or may not, be correct. Every effort has been
    made to list the newest contact. However, our entry is only as good as the latest information that's been sent to us. We list only
    a contact for the ship if one has been sent to us. We do NOT have crew lists or rosters available. Please see the Frequently Asked
    Questions section on NavSource's Main Page for that information.

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    Destroyer Escort Sailors Association
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    The Destroyer History Foundation
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    Page Last Updated 10 January 2010