JAMES THOMAS WEISS was born in Coal City, St. Clair, Alabama on 14 Aug 1914. He was a son of Major (First name not rank) William and Martha L. "Mattie (Wade) Weiss who married on 17 Dec 1902 in Calhoun County, Alabama. James was the junior member of the Weiss clan. His five older siblings were Odessa Harris (1903-1984), Marcus William (1906-1971), John Edward (1908 - 1988), Maude Weiss (1910-1975), and Evelyn Greyco (1912 - ?).

Major Weiss worked at various occupations to support his family; farmer and coal mine laborer; foreman of a brick yard; foreman of cement plant, and mill foreman. During the early years of WWII, Major traveled to Ironton, Ohio where he was employed as a foreman at the Superior Cement plant.

In the early days of the Great Depression, James was a student in high school. He completed the 11th grade by 1933 when he decided like so many youth of his day, that he wanted to learn a trade, travel and find adventure. And, like many of his contemporaries, he was lured to the opportunities and steady paycheck of the US military services. Late in the summer of 1933, James obtained an application for enlistment into the US Navy at the local navy recruiting station (NRS).

At the NRS, he completed preliminary entrance examinations; submitted personal references; completed administrative paperwork and passed background checks. He also secured his father's permission to enlist as he was not yet 21 years of age. His final requirement before enlistment was to pass physical and dental examinations that were to be administered at the NRS in Birmingham, Alabama. James was accepted for enlistment. On Wednesday morning, 15 Nov 1933, James appeared at the NRS in Birmingham where he passed his physical and dental exams and was sworn in on a minority contract to the US Navy (NSN: 272-04-47) as an Apprentice Seaman (AS) for four years.

Later that day, James transferred to the Naval Training Station (NTS) in Norfolk, VA for 12 weeks of basic training. Upon completion, he was granted 10 days of leave to visit his family and friends before assignment to either a service school or a ship of the US Fleet. During his first tour of duty AS Weiss requested a change in career paths from Seaman to Fireman ratings. His request was approved. Fireman Third Class Weiss advanced in rate to Fireman Second Class then Fireman First class while assigned to a fleet unit. In 1935, Weiss was stationed in Long Beach, CA. In Sep 1936 F2c Weiss returned to Alabama on leave to marry Mary Catherine Curd (known as Catherine) on 21 Sep 1936 in Ragland, St. Clair, AL. Six months later on 10 Mar 1937, the new Mrs. Catherine Weiss packed her belongings and set off from Alabama across the country to Long Beach, CA to take up residence with her husband.

In Nov 1937, F1c Weiss agreed to a two year extension of his enlistment. Subsequently, he transferred to the repair ship, USS Vestal (AR-4) on 22 Nov 1937. Her homeport was in Long Beach, CA. A short time later, he advanced in rate to Electrician’s Mate Third Class (EM3c). The following year, EM3 Weiss advanced in rate to Electrician’s Mate Second Class (EM2c) and on 02 Aug 1938 James Thomas Weiss Jr., was born in Long Beach, CA. He was to be their only child.

EM2 Weiss was honorably discharged at the end of his enlistment on 14 Nov 1939. The next day, 15 Nov 1939, EM2 Weiss reenlisted on board Vestal in San Pedro, CA for four more years. EM2 Weiss advanced in rate to Electrician’s Mate First Class (EM1c) on 16 Feb 1940. On 01 Apr 1940 the little Weiss family was enumerated in the US Census in Los Angeles, Los Angeles, CA.

Vestal participated in Fleet Problem XXI held in the Caribbean in early 1940. At the conclusion of that large scale exercise in the spring, Vestal changed her homeport to Pearl Harbor in Hawaii. In early Apr 1940, EM1 Weiss received orders to report to the Gyro school at NTS, San Diego for a course of instruction. On 14 Apr, Weiss transferred to the fleet oiler, USS Neosho (AO-23), for his ride from Pearl Harbor to San Diego. Neosho arrived in San Diego on 19 Apr 1940 where Petty Officer Weiss disembarked and reported to NTS for schooling. After 16 weeks of instruction, Weiss transferred from NTS to the Receiving Ship in San Diego on 26 Aug 1940 to await the ammunition ship, USS Nitro (AE-23); his ride back to Vestal. Weiss boarded Nitro on 31 Aug. He returned to Vestal on 19 Sep in Pearl.

In Oct 1941, Weiss received orders to detach from Vestal and transfer to the Naval Station (NavSta) in Guam for duty. On 10 Nov Weiss detached from Vestal and reported to the Receiving Station, Pearl Harbor to await his ride to Guam. He was transferred to the transport ship, USS Chaumont (AP-5) as a passenger on 21 Nov 1941 for further transfer (FFT) to NavSta, Guam for duty. Chaumont got underway from Pearl Harbor on Saturday, 29 Nov 1941 bound for ports in the Far East. Just over a week later, WWII would begin at Pearl Harbor. Shortly after the war began, Catherine and her son James returned to Alabama.

Not long after getting underway, Chaumont joined eight other ships that comprised a convoy. The flagship was the troop transport, USS Republic (AP-33). The convoy, generally known as the Pensacola Convoy for its escort ship, the heavy cruiser, USS Pensacola (CA-24) (also seen by the US Army as the "Republic Convoy"), included the gunboat, USS Niagara (PG-52), US Navy transports USS Republic (AP-33) and USS Chaumont (AP-5), the US Army transport USAT Willard A Holbrook and USAT Meigs; the US Merchant ships S.S. Admiral Halstead and S.S. Coast Farmer, and the Dutch merchant ship MS Bloemfontein.

On board the convoy were 2600 US Army Air Forces personnel. On the Bloemfontein were eighteen crated Curtiss P-40 pursuit planes of the 35th Pursuit Group (PG) while forty-eight pursuit pilots of the 35th PG were embarked on the Republic and thirty-nine newly graduated, but as yet unassigned pilots were on board the Holbrook. The presence of these planes and pilots would impact the destiny of the seaplane tender, USS Langley (AV-3), and the USS Edsall (DD-219). After war broke out on 07 Dec, and Japanese forces attacked the Philippines, the convoy was diverted first to Suva, Fiji Islands. Originally the convoy was bound for the Philippines to bolster their defenses, however, when the war began all orders were cancelled including those to Petty Officer Weiss. He would not know his final destination for some time to come.

The convoy got underway from Suva on the 16th bound for Brisbane, Australia. Pensacola entered the harbor at Brisbane on 22 Dec 1941 and moored at Newstead Wharf. On the afternoon of 28 Dec, Pensacola, along with transports Chaumont and USAT Willard A. Holbrook got underway.

On 2 Jan 1942, the Dutch ship MS Bloemfontein joined the convoy. The following morning (03 Jan 42) the convoy made passage through the Torres Strait above Cape York in far North Queensland, Australia. There they were joined by the heavy cruiser USS Houston (CA-30) and several destroyers. Houston relieved Pensacola as the convoy heavy escort, and with her destroyers and convoy ships proceeded to Darwin in the Northern Territory, Australia. Pensacola returned to Brisbane.

Chaumont dropped anchor in Port Darwin where Weiss disembarked on 17 Jan 1942 and reported to the Commander, Destroyer Squadron 29 (CDS-29) on board the destroyer tender, USS Black Hawk (AD-9) for assignment. EM1 Weiss was transferred to the destroyer, USS Peary (DD-226) for FFT and assignment to USS Pope (DD-225) later that same day. However, Weiss was not transferred to POPE as ordered. He remained on board Peary. Because the orders for his transfer to Pope were not carried out, EM1 Weiss died. Although Pope didn’t survive the war; Most of her crew did.

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 was necessary to stop there to make repairs after being mistakenly identified as a Japanese ship by Australian aircraft who then attacked. 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 her battle ready and seaworthy. The Electricians were especially busy. Those repairs were completed on 22 Jan 1942. Peary assumed submarine escort duties on numerous occasions. She was an anti-submarine escort 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 a submarine contact which reduced her fuel supply such that she had to return to Port Darwin to refuel.

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

Eighty-eight officers and men including the commanding officer were killed in her sinking; 57 survived, 20 of whom were wounded. EM1 Weiss was believed to have gone down with his ship. He was listed as missing in action on 19 Feb 1942. On 14 April 1942, Mrs Catherine Weiss, the wife of James Thomas Weiss, received a telegram from the Navy Department. It read in part; "The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your husband, Electrician’s Mate First Class, James Thomas WEISS, US Navy, is missing following action in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country."

The following year, Mrs Weiss 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 husband, James Thomas Weiss, Electrician’s Mate First 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 husband'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 husband 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."

EM1 Weiss 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), and the WWII Victory Medal. He is eligible for the US Army Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Defense Medal, Combat Action Ribbon (retroactively) and possibly the Good Conduct Medal.

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EM1 Weiss’ family also received a personal commemoration from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It reads:

In grateful memory of James Thomas WEISS, who died in the service of his country at SEA, Asiatic Area, ATTACHED U.S.S. PEARY, 20 February 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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Catherine married SSGT James Bagley Walters on 28 Aug 1945 in Birmingham, AL. James served during WWII with the US Marines in the Pacific Theatre. They were to be the parents of one son, Joseph. Catherine died on 31 Dec 1996 in Ragland, St. Clair, AL. James Walters died on 02 Oct 2011 in Jefferson county, AL.

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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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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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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. URL may no longer work.

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#406 compiled on 19 Jan 2023 by Gerry Lawton (G47/GML470)

Military Hall of Honor ID#168855

Find a Grave Memorial ID: 248718788