John Louis was born on 10 Dec 1918 in Pendleton county, KY to Harry Ross and Alice Louise (Curry) Wilson(1900-1986). They married 05 Jan 1918 in Cincinnati, Hamilton, OH. John had one sibling, Howard Curry Wilson (1921 – 1991).

As a youth, Harry Wilson (1893- 1976), contracted Infantile Paralysis. As a result, his right leg was about a 1 1/2” shorter than the left leg resulting in an exemption from military service in World War I. His physical challenge didn’t seem to slow him down however. Harry only finished the 10th grade in high school. Early in his life, Harry owned a garage in Butler, KY then worked as a chauffeur for a time. Late in the 1920s, Harry found his occupational calling: he trained then worked as an Acetylene Welder. He became more proficient at his profession which led to work with the US Navy during WWII as a Metallurgic Engineer. Although the Great Depression wasn’t an easy time for the Wilson family, Harry did seem to be employed most of the time.

John apparently didn’t like to attend school because he only completed the 8th grade (According to the 01 Apr 1940 US Census for Cincinnati, OH). After leaving school, John worked odd jobs like driving a truck for the Grand-Pop Bottling Company to help with family expenses. John, like many of his contemporaries, 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. After his seventeenth birthday in Dec 1935, he became eligible to enlisted in one of the military services. Early in the summer of 1936, John obtained a US Navy Enlistment Application from the Naval Recruiting Station (NRS) in Cincinnati, OH.

At NRS, Cincinnati, 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. After he completed the necessary paperwork, John was placed on a waiting list for enlistment.

About 10 Aug 1936, 17 year old John was notified to report to NRS Cincinnati for enlistment on Thursday, 13 Aug 1936. He reported early on that Thursday morning where he completed physical and dental exams which were prerequisites for enlistment. John was sworn into the US Navy (NSN: 279-50-24) as an Apprentice Seaman with ten other recruits; Robert Donaldson, 19; Louis Frederick Fischer, 24; Joseph Edwin Cantwell, 18; Harry Leroy Delle, 17; Buster Stacey, 19; Therlis Leroy Clift, 19; Stanley Joseph Schmidt, 18; John Galen Arrasmith, 23; Jackson Kenneth Cox, 18; and Charles Curtis Kimmerly, 18. Later that day, the group of excited young men board the train for transportation to the Naval Training Station (NTS), Norfolk, Virginia (The Cincinnati Enquirer, 14 Aug 1936, Fri, p.13) a trip of over 650 miles. John enlisted for a service obligation of four years or until his 21st birthday whichever came first.

John completed the 12 weeks of recruit training and was granted ten days of “Recruit Leave” to return home to visit family and friends before being assigned to a Service School or a ship of the US Fleet. At the expiration of his leave he returned to NTS Norfolk, VA where he was assigned to a ship. Shortly after reporting to his ship, John requested a change in his rate from Seaman to Fireman. The request was approved and John changed rate from Apprentice Seaman to Fireman Third Class (F3c). John advanced in rate to Fireman Second Class (F2c) and also received orders to report to the Asiatic Fleet in Manila, Philippines for assignment.

On 31 Dec 38, F2c Wilson reported for duty on board the destroyer, USS Peary (DD-226) at the Cavite Naval Base, Manila, PI. In the Fall of 1939, F2c Wilson transferred to the destroyer tender, USS Black Hawk (AD-9), on 14 Oct 39 for treatment of an unknown medical issue. For almost two months, Wilson received medical treatment until he was released to return to duty on Peary on 09 Dec 39. Shortly after returning to duty, F2c Wilson advanced in rate to Fireman First Class (F1c) on 31 Dec 39.

Prelude to WAR!

The deterioration of relations between Japan and the West continued apace as World War II in Europe began. On 29 Feb 40, F1 Wilson extended his enlistment for two years from 03 Feb 40. By autumn of 1940, the temper of the times and the persistent Japanese aggression made Shanghai untenable, so Admiral Hart finally withdrew his blue-water ships to Manila. He also issued a directive sending the families of his sailors home in l940. No families were allowed into the Philippines. There was push-back from the resentful spouses who initially declined to leave their husbands. It was only a threat to indefinitely restrict their spouses to their ships without leave that finally convinced the families; it was time to comply with orders and return to the continental United States (CONUS). Many traveled home on the President’s Steam Ship Line. Admiral Hart's directive probably saved many family members from internment by the Japanese or worse. For many of the married sailors whose families were sent home, it was the last time they would ever see them. On 16 Nov 40, F1c Wilson advanced in rate two grades to Machinist’s Mate Second Class (MM2).

The threat of hostilities between the United States and Japan grew closer to the boiling point as the year 1941 began. In July 1941, as Japanese aggression intensified with their move south into lower Indo-China, Admiral Hart 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 his “defensive deployment.” On 4 Oct 41, MM2 Wilson married his girlfriend, Florence Jeanne “Flora” Isaac (see end note) in Manila. The timing couldn’t have been worse as she was about five months pregnant, and there were few if any evacuation opportunities.

Ordered to comply with the Adm. Hart's "defensive deployment" well south of Manila, units of the Asiatic Fleet including destroyer tender USS Black Hawk (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.

Govern Yourself Accordingly!

On 08 Dec 1941, word was received that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor. Adm Hart direct his forces to “Govern Yourself Accordingly.”

Despite his best efforts, Admiral Hart was still caught by surprise by the Japanese air attacks on 10 Dec 1941. 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 repairs and two others to provide escort services for shipping. Two destroyers, 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. She was essentially non-operational. Her engines disassembled, bow open awaiting a patch and, 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. About 1300, and with almost no warning, 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.). Deck logs indicate that Petty Officer Wilson was neither on board Peary during this attack nor was he wounded during it. It was a Wednesday afternoon so I presume he was probably working at one of the shops at the naval base or he might have been home with his wife.

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 severely 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 the beleaguered Peary (Whippoorwill's commanding officer received the Navy Cross for his actions that day.).

After the 10 Dec attack, 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 got underway on her first war mission; an antisubmarine patrol assignment in the Verde Island Passage between Luzon and the Philippine island of Mindoro. The day after Christmas 1941, the CO's of USS Pillsbury and Peary were ashore at a conference with the Commandant, Sixteenth Naval District, Admiral Rockwell, to discuss releasing the 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.

Lt Bermingham watched from shore as his new executive officer, Lt Martin M. Koivisto (he was also the gunnery officer), deftly 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. Lt Bermingham changed his track and destination to Darwin, Australia. Capt. Birmingham 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 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 estimated at 500 pounds. During the attacks Kovisto's gun crews kept up continuous fire at the enemy planes. Peary maneuvered successfully avoiding the bombs.

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 fired several strafing bursts which struck the stacks. They were driven off by heavy shipboard machine gun fire from Lt Kovisto's angry gunners.

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 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. There were no direct hits but near misses caused extensive damage. Peary was hit in various places topside and in the engineering spaces. The shrapnel hit in the engineering knocking one of Peary's two main engines out of commission. One crewman was killed when he was struck by shrapnel (S1c Kenneth E. Quinaux, a machine gunner, was buried at sea during services at 2000 on 29 Dec 1941.). Prior to departing, each Hudson made a strafing run on the ship.

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 attacked by Australian aircraft. Eventually eight men would die.

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 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.

Peary gained sound contact with a possible enemy submarine. After a fruitless search that expended much fuel, she returned to Port Darwin to refuel. Peary anchored about 0100, 19 Feb 1942. About 1045, Port Darwin was attacked 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. MM2 Wilson did not survive. He was listed as missing in action on 19 Feb 1942 but his parents weren’t notified until 11 Apr 42. His remains were unrecoverable. He was presumed dead on 20 Feb 1943 but it wasn’t until 27 Mar 43 that the Navy Department informed his parents that he had been declared dead.

MM2 Wilson 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), China Service Medal, Philippine Defense Medal with a bronze service star, and the WWII Victory Medal. He may be eligible for the Combat Action Ribbon.

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MM2 Wilson’s family received a personal commemoration from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It reads:

In grateful memory of John Louis WILSON 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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End note:

Florence Jeanne “Flora” Isaacs was born on 10 Feb 1919 in Olongapo, Luzon, PI. She was the daughter of Isaac Raymond Cirilis Isaacs who was born in Shanghai, China to French parents. His wife, Polly Goldenberg was born in Alexandria, Egypt. When the Japanese captured Manila, Flora was sent to the San Carlos Prison Camp where she gave birth to a daughter, Alice Jeanne Wilson in Feb 42. Mr and Mrs Wilson knew that their son had married Flora, but didn’t know of the existence of their granddaughter until they received a letter from Flora after she had been released in Aug 1945 (story published in The Cincinnati Post, 11 Aug 1945 p. 11). Flora was considered by the US Government as a “Stateless Person.” She departed Manila with her daughter Alice on 01 Aug 1945 on board the S.S. General John Pope (AP-110) bound for Seattle, WA. She arrived on 17 Aug 1945 in the port of Seattle where Flora was “Paroled.” Flora was going to the residence of her sister, Rose Isaacs Rector, who lived in Vanport City, Portland, OR. Flora married Neil I. Mattson on 31 Dec 1946. It isn’t known whether the Wilsons ever met their first grandchild, but it is known that she married a Mr. King (Alice King) according to Mrs Alice Wilson’s obituary. Flora, 89, died on 04 Apr 2008 in Colorado Springs, El Paso, CO. Neil I. Mattson died there on 16 Dec 1993.

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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 articles from the Cincinnati Enquirer and Cincinnati Post newspapers.

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.

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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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. https://www.maritimequest.com/misc_pages/monuments_memorials/uss_peary_memorial.htm

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Bio#369 compiled by Gerry Lawton (G47/GML470)

Military Hall of Honor #169969

Find A Grave Memorial #237773296