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44k | John Michael Bermingham was born in New York City on 5 July 1905 and graduated from the Naval Academy in 1929. During the 1930's he served in many ships, including Wyoming, Utah, and Augusta, and at various shore stations. In 1940 he was assigned as Executive Officer of destroyer Stewart and at the outbreak of the war in the Pacific was second in command of the four-piper Peary. During the first Japanese attack on Cavite 10 December, Peary's commanding officer was wounded and Lt. Comdr. Bermingham took command. The ship was assigned to offshore patrol and came under heavy air attack many times in the days to come. Only brilliant seamanship during bombing and torpedo attacks 26 and 27 December saved her from destruction- Despite the Japanese air superiority, Bermingham succeeded in bringing his ship to Darwin, Australia, to operate with allied forces attempting to hold Malay Barrier. Peary operated with cruiser Houston in February, and was anchored at Darwin when the Japanese attacked with bombers 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. Lt. Comdr. 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. USS John M. Bermingham (DE530) was the first ship to be named in his honor. (Photo from the US Naval Academy Yearbook; The Lucky Bag, Class of 1929. ) |
Bill Gonyo | |
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97k | 17 November 1943: Boston Navy Yard - Mrs. Grace Joyce Bermingham christens USS John M. Bermingham. (U.S. Navy Photo #19-N-53950 from the National Archives) | Bill Gonyo | |
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92k | 17 November 1943: Boston Navy Yard - Launch photo (U.S. Navy Photo #NH 19-N-53951 from the National Archives) | Fred Weiss | |
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72k | 15 August 1944, off the Massachusetts coast after leaving the Boston Navy Yard (U.S. Navy Photo #NH 19-N-69699 from the National Archives) | Robert Hurst | |
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48k | 15 August 1944, off the Massachusetts coast after leaving the Boston Navy Yard (U.S. Navy Photo #NH 19-N-69697 from the National Archives) | ||
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77k | 15 August 1944, off the Massachusetts coast after leaving the Boston Navy Yard (U.S. Navy Photo #NH 19-N-69700 from the National Archives) | ||
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65k | 15 August 1944, off the Massachusetts coast after leaving the Boston Navy Yard (U.S. Navy Photo #NH 19-N-69698 from the National Archives) | ||
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67k | 15 August 1944, off the Massachusetts coast after leaving the Boston Navy Yard (U.S. Navy Photo #NH 19-N-69699 from the National Archives) | ||
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