KENNETH EUGENE QUINAUX was born in Van Voorhis, Washington, PA on 13 June 1920 according to his US Navy enlistment contract found in his service record. His parents were Victor Alfred and Estella M. “Stella” Shaw Quinaux, immigrants from Belgium. Victor and Stella married 24 Nov 1919 in Washington county, PA. Kenneth’s only sibling was Robert Joseph born in Jun 1921. Victor worked for a time in the Valley Camp Coal co., and then for a Glass company.

Tragedy struck the family on 09 Jul 1929 in Blairsville, PA when 8 year old Robert failed to heed the warning from his parents to stay out of the Conemaugh river. He went into the water anyway at a point distant from the usual swimming hole. While swimming, Robert apparently developed cramps and sank. Kenneth brought him ashore, but he could not revive his little brother. The rescue squad and some men from the nearby Glass factory attempted for more than an hour to revive him, but to no avail. Robert was interred in the Blairsville cemetery.

Shortly after the death of Robert, his family moved to Burrell in Indiana county, PA where Victor was employed at another glass factory. As the Great Depression deepened, Victor found jobs scarce so the family moved again this time to Springdale, Allegheny, PA and found reasonably steady work in the coal mines, and Kenneth worked odd jobs. To help reduce expenses Victor shared a residence with his sister Lillian J. Thompson and her family.

Kenneth attended Springdale high school in Springdale, where he was active in track and field and football. He graduated from Springdale H.S. in June 1939. With the winds of war swirling ever so quickly around the world, Kenneth didn’t want to be left out of what many young men thought would be a great adventure. So, to help with financial support for the family, learn a trade and participate in the possible war, Kenneth applied for enlistment into the US Navy in early summer 1940 at the Naval Recruiting Station (NRS), Pittsburgh, Allegheny, PA. Over the next several weeks, Kenneth completed general aptitude examinations; submitted personal references, completed administrative paperwork, passed background checks and successfully passed physical and dental examinations. Because he wasn’t 21 yet, Kenneth had to secure his father’s permission before he could be sworn into Naval Service.

On Wednesday morning, 25 Sep 1940, at the NRS, Pittsburgh, PA., Kenneth Eugene Quinaux and thirty seven other navy recruits were sworn into active service (NSN: 250-57-84) for a period of six years with the entry rank of Apprentice Seamen (A.S.). His monthly pay was $21.00. The assemblage of recruits transferred immediately via train to the Naval Training Station (NTS) Newport, RI for 8 weeks of recruit training. At the end of the training period, the recruits were granted a 10 day leave period to visit with families before being sent to sea. AS Quinaux reported back to NTS, Newport where he received orders to report for sea-duty on board the battleship, USS Arizona (BB-39). Quinaux departed Newport in early Dec 1940 for the Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton, WA where the Arizona was nearing completion of an overhaul. On 10 Dec 1940, AS Quinaux reported on board for duty.

On 25 Jan 1941, Quinaux advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (S2c). He quickly completed his requirements for the next rate. On 01 May 1941, S2c Quinaux advanced in rate to Seaman First Class (S1c). As fate would have it, S1c Quinaux would soon be trading one doomed ship for another.

In late mid-summer of 1941, S1c Quinaux received orders to detach from the Arizona and report for duty to Asiatic Station in Manila, Philippines for assignment. On 12 Aug 1940, Quinaux detached from Arizona and on 13 Aug he transferred to the Receiving Station at Pearl Harbor to await his ride across the Pacific to Manila. On 21 Aug, Quinaux transferred as a passenger to the transport ship, USS Henderson (AP-1). She got underway steaming out of Pearl Harbor on 23 Aug bound for a short port call at Guam. Three weeks later, Henderson pulled into port at Manila on 14 Sep 1941 where she disembarked her passengers and off-loaded cargo. Later that day, S1c Quinaux reported on board the destroyer, USS Peary (DD-226), for duty.

Ordered to comply with the Commander In Chief, Asiatic Fleet (CIC AF) Admiral Thomas 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. Peary was not among the group of ships proceeding south. Despite his best efforts, Admiral Hart was still caught by surprise by the Japanese attacks. Four of the Destroyer Division Fifty Nine (DesDiv 59) ships remained in the Manila Bay area during the first week of December 1941 for overhaul and two others to provide escort services for shipping. Two of the destroyers, Pillsbury and Peary, were in the navy yard at Cavite.

December 10th, 1941 dawned a clear, sunny day at the Cavite US Navy Yard about 20 miles south-southwest of Manila, Philippines. Peary was moored pier-side on the east side of the Central Wharf with Pillsbury moored outboard. Peary’s commanding officer was Senior Officer Present Afloat (SOPA).

The ships were inport undergoing repairs to damage from a near-fatal collision that occurred between them during night training exercises in late October. Peary was the more severely damaged; she was also in for a general overhaul. Her engine rooms were in a “cold iron” state (engines completely shut down). Her engines disassembled, bow open awaiting a patch, she was receiving “hotel” services (water, electricity and steam) from the pier. Most of her crew had moved ashore to continue repairs from base maintenance shops. She was non-operational.

Suddenly, about 1300, without warning, two flights of more than 50 Japanese twin-engine, high level, land-based, medium bombers appeared over the Cavite naval installations and commenced to obliterate everything in sight. Peary was struck about 1350 by a shrapnel-laced, incendiary bomb (est. 250 lb). The ordnance hit the foremast between the fire control platform and the crow’s nest, spraying the superstructure and stacks with deadly fragments, causing serious damage, but none to the ship’s hull integrity. Fires broke out in numerous areas around the ship. Eight officers and enlisted men were killed outright; another 14 were missing and presumed dead; thought to have been killed ashore at Cavite. The casualties were evacuated to Sternberg hospital in Manila.

Unable to get underway and with little help available on board or from ashore, Peary was in a bad way; her 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 to the damaged Peary. After much effort, Whippoorwill was able to tow Peary to a buoy some distance away. Whippoorwill and Pillsbury moored alongside Peary and within a brief period began sending over damage control and fire fighting parties, and water and food to the beleaguered Peary (Whippoorwill’s commanding officer received the Navy Cross for his actions that day.).

After the 10 Dec attack, Lts Bermingham, the new CO, and Lt Koivisto (XO) and the remaining crew set to work making Peary ready for sea. 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. On 23-24 Dec 1941, Peary, her repairs completed, got underway on her first war mission; an antisubmarine patrol assignment in the Verde Island Passage between Luzon and the Philippine island of Mindoro.

On 26 Dec 1941 at 1300, Enemy planes again attacked Peary in Manila Bay off Corregidor when more than 50 bombers (Six flights of nine planes per flight) with covering fighters dropped about 45 bombs on all sides of the old, but still nimble destroyer. Conned by her executive officer, Lt Koivisto, who made Peary seemingly dance around Manila Bay playing now you see me now you don’t with the attacking planes. Peary experienced no damage during this raid that was over by 1430. The whole experience was witnessed by her commanding officer, Lt Bermingham, who happened to be ashore at a meeting with Rear Admiral Rockwell when the enemy raid began.

The Admiral ordered Peary and Pillsbury to evacuate Manila and to steam south independently and report to Commander, Task Force Five. At 1830, just prior to her departure from Manila, Peary, who was laying to off Corregidor, received as passengers 2 officers, 2 Yeoman, and 5 radiomen who were assigned to the staff of the Commander in Chief, US Asiatic Fleet. These were members of Admiral Hart’s “Purple Gang” (from the secret radio intelligence unit working in their underground installations at Monkey Point on Corregidor). At 2100, Peary cleared the mine field and took departure from Manila. At 2113, Peary increased her speed slowly to 30 knots.

Peary’s voyage south was eventful and full of danger and anxiety as the Japanese held mastery of the air and sea. Lt Bermingham traveled only by night and during the day he brought his ship close to shore and tied up to trees and covered the ship with palm fronds and green paint (obtained from the US Army in Manila) in order to blend with the flora of the various islands. Several times, Japanese bombers flew overhead but did not detect the ship. At 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 each time estimated at 500 pounds. During the attacks, Peary maneuvered successfully avoiding the bombs.

Several hours later, 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 misidentified the ship and assumed a glide bombing profile. Peary’s anti-aircraft batteries opened fire and began maneuvering radically. One of Peary’s 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.).

Each Hudson made two attacks dropping a single 250 pound shrapnel bomb. The last bomb dropped missed by about 10 yards off the port propeller guard. (According to Peary’s deck log entry on 28 Dec 1941). Shrapnel pieces severed the ropes to bridge steering control and the starboard engine was disabled. The ship had only one engine for propulsion and steering control moved to after steering from the bridge

Shrapnel from the last bomb took the life of S1c Kenneth Eugene Quinaux who was manning a machine gun on the fire control platform. He was returning fire from the attacking plane when he was struck and instantly killed by a piece of shrapnel. The following day, 29 Dec 1941 at 2000, Quinaux’s remains were committed to the sea during services.

In the After Action Report submitted by Peary’s commanding officer, Lcdr Bermingham, dtd 06 Jan 1942 was written the following recommendation:

“Quinaux, Kenneth E., 25057 84, Seaman first class, U.S.N., performed his duties as machine gunner on a .30 caliber machine gun with conspicuous gallantry maintaining his fire in spite of shrapnel and strafing. He was killed December 28, 1941, by shrapnel from a near miss while serving (sic) his gun. It is recommended that he be awarded the Navy Cross posthumously.”

S1c Quinaux’s family was notified of his death in a telegram sent by the Navy Department in Jan 1942. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross according a syndicated article published in the Nashville Banner (Nashville, TN) on 10 Apr 1942, p. 19 (see note 1). He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart Medal, American Defense Service medal w/Fleet Clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/Fleet Clasp and with two bronze stars (one star in lieu of Fleet Clasp), US Army Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Defense Medal, World War II Victory medal and the Combat Action Ribbon (Combat Action Ribbon created in 1969 and made retroactive to 07 Dec 1941).

S1c Quinaux’s family also received a Presidential Commemoration from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It reads: In grateful memory of Kenneth Eugene Quinaux, who died in the service of his country at SEA, Asiatic Area, ATTACHED U.S.S. PEARY, 28 December 1941. 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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Note 1. I have found no evidence that Quinaux was awarded the Navy Cross. In most cases, it would take between six months to a year or more to process the recommendation. Although the CO recommended the Navy Cross in his after-action report, it doesn’t mean that Quinaux received one. His Commanding Officer received his Navy Cross award six days short of the one year anniversary of his death on 19 Feb 1942. What the basis was for the newspaperman to make the claim about Quinaux’s Navy Cross award is unknown. ---------------------------

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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Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation

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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Link to USS Peary memorial in Darwin, Australia with list of names of those lost in the sinking of the ship. It’s a cenotaph. The plaque is not 100% accurate. I’ve found a number of inconsistencies. One example is S1c Frank Adrion Glover. He didn’t die on 18 Feb 1942 but on 12 Aug 2004. His story is written on his Find A Grave Memorial page ID#39800274 and also Military Hall of Honor website ID#336487. https://www.maritimequest.com/misc_pages/monuments_memorials/uss_peary_memorial.htm

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Primary Sources:

1) Quinaux, Kenneth E., Seaman First Class, US Navy Service Record, The National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR), St Louis, MO. July 2024.

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) Ancestry.com Navy WWII muster and Change reports

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.

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

9) The Java Sea campaign, WWII 75th Anniversary Commemorative series, Naval History & Heritage Command, Washington, DC. 2017.

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[Bio #347 composed on 23 Nov 2021 by Gerry Lawton (G47/GML470)]

- Military Hall of Honor ID#157962

- Find A Grave memorial page#56768638

- Fold3

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