WILLIS POLHEMUS was born 09 Jul 1922 in Nyack, Rockland, New York to Louis Couch and Florence Alice (Johnson) Polhemus who married 04 Oct 1911 in Kings county, NY. Willis was the sixth of eight children born to Louis and Florence. His siblings were: Florence (1913-1989), Louis Couch Jr., (1914-1987), Edna (1915-2007), Elvira (1917-2000), Laura (1918-1997), Robert (1924-2004) and Lorraine Polhemus (1926-2016). Louis was a well known personality in his community. He was a plumber until he retired then he became a custodian at one of the local schools for many years. He was a native of Rockland, Sullivan, NY.

His wife, Florence, was born in Upton Park, Essex, England on 03 Mar 1891. At age 14, Florence and an older sister, Annie L. Johnson (23), departed Liverpool, England on 01 Nov 1905 on board the S.S. Baltic. She crossed the Atlantic arriving in the Port of NY on 10 Nov 1905. Their contact in NYC was Mrs Schuyler who was probably their aunt who paid for their passage. Each sister carried $10.00. By 1920, Florence had become a naturalized US citizen.

In the Summer of 1940, Willis Polhemus obtained an enlistment application from the local Navy Recruiting Station (NRS). Like many of his contemporaries, Willis, employed as a mess boy on a private yacht, was lured to the opportunities available in the US military services. A steady income to help the family with expenses, adventure and the chance to learn a trade pulled strongly on many youth of the day.

At the NRS, he completed preliminary entrance examinations, submitted personal references, completed administrative paperwork and passed background checks. Most importantly, he obtained his father's permission to enlist. On 17 September 1940, Willis completed physical and dental exams after which he was sworn into the US Navy on a minority contract (age not yet 21) later that day. Willis’ navy service number was NSN: 223-84-32. He enlisted for four years of service with the beginning rank of Apprentice Seaman (AS).

Willis was sent to the Naval Training Station (NTS), Newport, RI to begin about 8 weeks of recruit training. Upon completion of that training, AS Polhemus was granted 10 days of “Recruit Leave” to return home to visit family and friends before being assigned to a service class A school or a ship of the US Fleet. Willis returned to NTS Newport on the completion of his leave, whereupon he received orders to report for duty to the light cruiser, USS Brooklyn (C-40). Her homeport was on the US West Coast. AS Polhemus reported to Brooklyn for duty in late November 1940. However, his tour was cut short by the increasing tensions between Japan and the United States. The Navy Department began hastily filling manning shortages in the Asiatic Fleet ships. Polhemus received orders to detach from Brooklyn and report to the Asiatic Fleet for assignment via the transport ship, USS Chaumont (AP-5). During his short tenure on Brooklyn, AS Polhemus advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (S2c). S2c Polhemus detached from Brooklyn in Pearl Harbor in early January 1941. He boarded Chaumont on 21 Jan 1941. On 23 Jan 1941, she steamed out of Pearl Harbor on a westerly course making stops at Wake Island (30 Jan), Guam (6 Feb) and finally arriving at Manila on 10 Feb 1941. S2c Polhemus disembarked from Chaumont reporting to the destroyer, USS Peary (DD-226) later that day.

As the year of 1941 began, the threat of hostilities between the United States and Japan grew closer to the boiling point. Shortly after reporting on board Peary, S2c Polhemus requested a change in his career path from Seaman to Fireman. The request was granted and on 07 May 1941 his rate was changed from S2c to Fireman Third Class (F3c). In July 1941, as Japanese aggression intensified with their move south into lower Indo-China, Admiral Thomas Hart, Commander, U.S. Asiatic Fleet, warned his officers that he had no doubt that war would come although he didn’t know how of when it would start. Hart trained his destroyer crews hard keeping them on a war-footing for extended periods and away from Cavite naval base as much as possible exercising what he called his “defensive deployment.”

Ordered to comply with the Adm. Hart’s “defensive deployment” well south of Manila, units of the Asiatic Fleet including destroyer tender USS Blackhawk (AD-9), and other ships of Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Nine (DesRon) 29, got underway on 25 Nov 1941, and arrived on the morning of 29 Nov 1941 in Balikpapan, a major oil port on the eastern coast of Borneo. Destroyers Pillsbury, Peary, John D Ford, and Pope were not among the group of ships proceeding south contrary to what many historians/writers have postulated.

Govern Yourself Accordingly!

On 7 December 1941 [8 December east of the International date Line], the Japanese onslaught began across a wide area, from the Far East to Pearl Harbor. When word was received that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor. Adm Hart direct his forces to “Govern Yourself Accordingly.” Several days later all hell broke loose at Manila Bay.

Despite his best efforts, Admiral Hart was still caught by surprise by the Japanese attacks on 10 Dec 1941. Four of the Destroyer Division Fifty Nine (DesDiv 59) ships (USS Pope (DD-225), USS John D Ford (DD-228), USS Pillsbury (DD-227) and USS Peary (DD-226)) remained in the Manila Bay area during the first week of December 1941 for overhaul and repairs and two others to provide anti-submarine patrols and escort services for shipping. Pillsbury and Peary were in the navy yard at Cavite for repairs following a collision during night training exercises in late October. Peary was also there for a yard overhaul.

Peary was still pier-side at Cavite’s Central wharf on the morning of 10 Dec 1941 in a “cold iron” state. Her engines disassembled, bow open awaiting a patch, she was receiving “hotel” services (water, electricity and steam) from the pier (some reports indicate Peary was at the shipyard for routine maintenance). Many of her crew had moved ashore to continue repairs from base maintenance shops. She was non-operational. Suddenly, about 1300, two flights of more than 50 Japanese twin-engine, land-based, medium bombers appeared over the naval installations and commenced to obliterate everything in sight.

About 1350, Peary sustained a direct hit with an estimated 250 pound bomb which contained a combination of shrapnel and incendiary explosives. The bomb struck her mast spraying shrapnel in every direction killing or wounding almost everyone on the fire-control platform, bridge, and other areas and starting fires. Eight sailors were killed outright and five officers, including the Commanding Officer, Lcdr Keith, were wounded. The executive officer, Lt Albert Eugene Gates, Jr., was found unconscious on the bridge mortally wounded. They were evacuated to Sternberg hospital in Manila where Lt Gates probably died (exact location of death unknown but presumed at the hospital.). F3c Polhemus was at his duty station on board Peary during this attack, and he was not wounded.

Unable to get underway and with little help on board or from ashore, Peary's fate seemed sealed. Suddenly, the small Asiatic Fleet minesweeper, USS Whippoorwill (AM-35), braved the flames, smoke and exploding warheads from a torpedo shop on the pier to render assistance (with help from Pillsbury) to the damaged Peary. After much effort, Whippoorwill was able to tow Peary to a buoy some distance away. She moored alongside Peary and within a brief period began sending over damage control parties, water and food to their beleaguered Peary (Whippoorwill's commanding officer received the Navy Cross for his actions that day.).

After the 10 Dec attack, the Peary's crew set to work repairing their ship. It was a Herculean effort performed by the crew in conjunction with the facilities of Atlantic Gulf and Pacific Company to effect the minimum repairs in order to make Peary sea-worthy. Because a large number of Peary's crew were either killed, wounded or missing in action, a call for replacements was made by Peary's CO to COMAF and Commandant, Sixteenth Naval District (COM16ND) in Manila. Many sailors from other commands were transferred to Peary to help fill her manning shortages.

On 23 Dec 1941, Peary got underway on her first war mission; an antisubmarine patrol assignment in the Verde Island Passage between Luzon and the Philippine island of Mindoro. She returned to port late on 24 Dec. On Christmas Day, she made passenger pick-up and delivery runs to Corregidor and Manila.

The day after Christmas 1941, the CO's of Pillsbury and Peary were ashore at a conference with COM16ND, Admiral Rockwell, to discuss releasing their ships to join other US forces in the Netherlands East Indies when enemy bombers suddenly appeared overhead. Peary was attacked by five flights of Japanese high level bombers. Each flight consisted of between 6 to 9 planes. Peary's new CO, Lt Bermingham, watched from ashore as his new executive officer, Lt Martin M. Koivisto, skillfully maneuvered Peary around Manila Bay dodging bomb after bomb for several hours. Though she suffered a few near misses, Peary emerged virtually unscathed. Later that evening, Peary and Pillsbury were ordered to put to sea and proceed south by the best route and join Task Force 5 at Soerabaja, Java. For safety, each ship was to proceed independently.

Peary's voyage south was eventful and dangerous as the Japanese held mastery of the air and sea. Intelligence information provided to Peary just after her departure from Manila indicated that Japanese warships probably lurked along his intended route to Surabaja. Peary's CO changed his track and destination to Darwin, Australia. Peary traveled only by night and during the day she was brought close to shore and tied up to trees and covered with palm fronds and green paint in order to blend with the flora of the various islands. Several times, Japanese bombers flew overhead but did not detect the ship.

About 0800, 28 Dec, Peary sighted a large Japanese four-engine seaplane shadowing her. It was a Kawanishi HK6 "Mavis" flying boat. About 1400, three more Mavis' joined and the attacks began with each plane making two runs dropping a single bomb estimated at 500 pounds. During the attacks, gun crews on Peary kept up continuous fire at the enemy planes. She maneuvered successfully avoiding the bombs while her gun crews threw up a curtain of anti-aircraft fire.

Finally, after the flying boats completed their attacks, two twin engine, single wing torpedo planes appeared and commenced an attack on Peary dropping two torpedoes off the port bow and two off the port quarter. Again, the skipper maneuvered the ship out of danger. However, after dropping their ordnance, the enemy torpedo planes returned to fired several strafing bursts which struck the stacks. They were driven off by heavy shipboard machine gun fire.

About 1800, off Kema Island in the Bangka Strait, three Australian Lockheed Hudson patrol bombers were sighted approaching from astern. The aircraft challenged Peary via signal light and she responded. The pilot was seen to wave his arm. However, one of the planes assumed a glide bombing profile. Peary's anti-aircraft batteries opened fire and began maneuvering radically. One of her crewman lost his balance and fell overboard (he was picked up by a fisherman, but was turned over to the Japanese. He worked in a mine in Japan and was repatriated at the end of the war.).

Peary anchored at Port Darwin at 0840, 03 Jan 1942 after a 2100 mile plus transit from Manila, Philippines to Darwin, Australia. Within a week of arriving at Darwin, twenty-eight enlisted men and officers became ill with a virulent form of Malaria or Dengue Fever, contracted when the ship anchored off remote Maitara Island near Ternate in the Halmakeras. It had been necessary to stop there to make repairs after being attacked by Australian aircraft. Eventually eight men would die from the diseases.

Peary received tender availability services from USS Black Hawk (AD-9) to affect temporary repairs and make Peary seaworthy. Those repairs were completed on 22 Jan 1942. Peary then assumed submarine escort duties. On 29 Jan 1942, Peary steamed from Darwin bound for the island of Timor on a secret mission. She was to deliver a "special duty" contingent of sixteen US Army personnel, 100 drums (5300 gal) of avgas and 50 gallons of lube oil after midnight on 31 Jan 1942 to a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) field. The fuel and lubricant was to be used by US Army Air Force P-40s in the defense of Java. Five Peary crewmen manned the motor whaleboat used to ferry the men and cargo ashore. Problems quickly developed. As the boat approached the shore it went aground and due to broaching seas it could not be towed clear. Because of the high sea state, it was not possible to remove the crew or return to them to the ship. The motor whaleboat crew were left ashore until such time as the tides shifted and seas moderated before they could be returned to the ship.

She resumed her anti-submarine escort duties for USS Langley (AV-3) from Darwin to Fremantle, Australia between 08-13 Feb 1942, and she steamed with USS Houston escorting a Darwin-Koepang convoy from 14 to 18 Feb 1942. She was also searching for an elusive Japanese submarine contact which reduced her fuel supply such that she had to return to Port Darwin to refuel. Her luck was about to run out.

Peary returned to Port Darwin and anchored about 0100, 19 Feb 1942. About 1045, Port Darwin was subject to a massive air attack by a combined Japanese carrier and land base force of over 200 fighters and bombers. Peary, still at anchor, was hit by five bombs. The fifth bomb, an incendiary, exploded in the after engine room opening the ship to the sea. She sank, stern first with her anti-aircraft guns still firing as the last enemy planes left the area.

Eighty-eight officers and men including the commanding officer were killed in her sinking; 57 survived, 20 of whom were wounded. F3c Polhemus was believed to have gone down with his ship. He was listed as missing in action on 19 Feb 1942. On 10 April 1942, Mr and Mrs Louis Polhemus received a telegram from the Navy Department. It read in part; "The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your son Willis Polhemus, Fireman Third Class, US Navy is missing following action in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country."

The following year, Mr and Mrs Louis Polhemus received a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox, dated 17 March 1943. It read; "After a full review of all available information, I am reluctantly forced to the conclusion that your son, Willis POLHEMUS, Fireman Third Class, U.S.N., is deceased, having been reported "missing in action' on the 19th day of February 1942, being a member of the crew and serving aboard the U.S.S. PEARY when that vessel was sunk in the port of Darwin, Australia. In accordance with Section 5 of Public Law 490, 77th Congress, as amended, your son's death is presumed to have occurred on the 20th of February 1943, which is the day following the day of expiration of an absence of twelve months. I extend to you my sincere sympathy in your great loss and hope you may find comfort in the knowledge that your son gave his life for his Country, upholding the highest traditions of the Navy. The Navy shares in your sense of bereavement and will feel the loss of his service."

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F3c Polhemus was declared missing in action on 19 Feb 1942. He was presumed dead on 20 Feb 1943. His remains were unrecoverable.

F3c Polhemus was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart, American Defense Service Medal w/Fleet Clasp (bronze star in lieu of clasp), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/Fleet Clasp and two bronze stars (one bronze star in lieu of clasp), Philippine Defense Medal with a bronze service star, US Army Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, WWII Victory Medal and the Combat Action Ribbon (retroactively). Willis was the first WWII casualty from his town of Upper Nyack, NY. In 1946, a plaque commemorating Willis and two other former students of the Upper Nyack School who lost their lives in WWII was installed at the school. In April 1953, the Willis Polhemus VFW Post #9215, Upper Nyack, NY was commissioned in his honor.

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Fireman Third Class Polhemus’ family also received a personal commemoration from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It reads:

In grateful memory of Willis POLHEMUS, who died in the service of his country at SEA, Asiatic Area, ATTACHED U.S.S. PEARY, 20 Feb 1943 (presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives -- in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.

(Signed) Franklin D. Roosevelt,

President of the United States

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Citation of Units of Both Military and Naval Forces of the United States and Philippine Governments.

--489--

As authorized by Executive Order No. 9075 (sec. II, Bull. 11, W.D., 1942), a citation in the name of the President of the United States, as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction, is awarded to all units of both military and naval forces of the United States and Philippine Governments engaged in the defense of the Philippines since December 7, 1941. (Later, it was called the Army Presidential Unit Citation).

By order of the Secretary of War:

G. C. MARSHALL,

Chief of Staff.

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Establishing Authority

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation was established by Headquarters, Philippine National Defense Forces, General Order Number 532 of September 14, 1946, as amended.

Acceptance by the United States

For service during World War II, acceptance is sanctioned by Public Law 80-314, which authorized the acceptance and wear of foreign decoration, medals, and awards in connection with services in World War II between the inclusive dates of December 7, 1941 and July 24, 1948.

Effective Dates

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation has been in effect since September 14, 1946.

Criteria

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation is awarded for extraordinarily meritorious service. The Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation has been awarded to United States military personnel who participated in the following:

• World War II

Service in the defense of the Philippines from December 7, 1941 to May 10, 1942.

Service in the liberation of the Philippines from October 17, 1944 to July 4, 1945.

All U.S. military units and naval vessels that earned any of the Philippine engagement stars are entitled to the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation.

Certain submarines which maintained physical contact with guerrilla forces during the Japanese occupation of the Philippine Islands.

Online:

https://rollofhonor.org/public/htmldetails.aspx?Cat=foreignaward&EntID=352

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Primary Sources:

1) Cox, Jeffery R., Rising Sun, Falling Skies, Osprey Publishing, UK, 2015.

2) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., In the Highest Degree Tragic, The Sacrifice of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in the East Indies During World War II, Potomac Books, 2017.

3) Various Newspaper articles

4) Deck logs USS Peary retrieved 15 November 2021.

5) Northern Territory Library Roll of Honour: Browse location. www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au. Retrieved 20 November 2021.

6) Wikipedia page, USS Peary (DD-226), Retrieved 12 November 2021.

7) Wilde, E. Andrew, Jr. (Ed). U.S.S. Peary (DD-226) in World War II, Manila to Darwin, 12/10/41-2/19/42 : Needham, Mass. : The Editor, 2007. http://destroyerhistory.org/assets/pdf/wilde/226peary_wilde.pdf.

8) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., A Blue Sea of Blood: deciphering the mysterious fate of the USS Edsall, Zenith Press, 2008.

9) Fold3 by Ancestry Navy Muster reports and Change reports.

10) Ancestry.com Navy WWII muster and Change reports.

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Bio sketch #407 compiled on 23 Jan 2023 by Gerry Lawton (G47/GML470)

Military Hall of Honor ID#157180

Find A Grave Memorial Page #248807587