John Thomas Eversole

Lieutenant, United States Navy

Navy Cross

The Rossville Reporter (Rossville, KS) - 29 April 1915, Thu - p.5, The home of Mr. and Mrs. John Eversole of Pocatello, Idaho, was brightened by the birth of a 8lb boy 17 April, according to word received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.H. Eversole of this city.

John Thomas was the son of John Jacob Eversole and Sarah Willmetta Ralston who married on 26 Jun 1912 in Benton county, AR. John's only sibling was Patricia Gladys Eversole. John Jacob died on 10 May 1943 and his wife Sarah died 42 years later in 1985. Sarah raised her only grandchild, Thomas Young (Aikers) Eversole, who graduated from the Naval Academy in June 1965 and became a navy pilot like his uncle. Gladys married several times during her life. First to Walter William Akers on 20 Nov 1938 in Bingham county, ID. They had a son, Tommy (Aikers) Eversole. She then married a Mr Whitehead, then Otis H. Beavers.

John Thomas or Thomas as he was known in Pocatello High School, was active in Hai Sin, 3, 4; New Brooms, 4; "Y" Noon Club, 4; and Debate, 3, 4. His senior yearbook caption said this about him; "You know not what a real debate is till you have argued for a maiden's heart." Thomas graduated from Pocatello in June 1932. In September 1932 Thomas entered the University of Idaho in Moscow, ID. After completing two years of study at the University of Idaho in May 1934, he received a Congressional appointment from Idaho to the US Naval Academy. He entered the Academy on 12 Jun 1934. From his USNA Luck Bag graduation yearbook it was written about "Tom" Eversole; "It took a brilliant pep talk by a commander to persuade Tom to leave the wilds of Idaho. He came not with bowed legs and Western drawl, but with a pleasing smile and attractive personality. While he claims to have denied this to the femmes back home, he is no novice snake. However, he manages to hold them off long enough to show his hand at sports. Buoyant of mind but not of body, his one plague was the sub squad. But nothing so small could stop Tom. For four years he's been a fine roommate and in life he'll make an excellent shipmate--on land, at sea, or in the air. His one ambition is to fly and already he is sprouting wings. May his flight through life be a smooth one." Activities: Fencing, Rifle, Football, Boat Club, M.P.O.

Tom graduated from the USNA on 02 Jun 1938 with a commission as an Ensign, USN. After graduation Ensign Eversole reported on board the light cruiser USS Cincinnati (CL-6) on 29 Jun 1938 to begin his required sea duty tour. After several years on board the Cincinnati, during which he attended a course in torpedo operation, Ensign Eversole was detached from the Cincinnati and transferred to the USS Crowninshield (DD-134). That tour was brief as Crowninshield was transferred to the British navy on 09 Sept 1940 and renamed the HMS Chelsea (I35) and subsequently to the Soviet Navy where she was renamed Derzkiy. Eversole was detached from the Crowninshield in August 1940. Shortly thereafter on 16 Sep 1940 Ens. Eversole reported to NAS Pensacola to commence aviation training under instruction. He completed his aviation training and received his naval aviator wings on 21 Feb 1941 (NA#7173). He reported to Torpedo Squadron Six (VT-6) embarked on board the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) on 7 May 1941. He was promoted to Lieutenant Junior Grade (Ltjg) on 02 Jun 1941.

The Enterprise was commissioned on 12 May 1938. Torpedo Squadron Six (VT-6) was commissioned on 01 July 1938. During 1939, Enterprise and her embarked squadrons conducted shake down cruises and workup exercises at various times. While the ship was inport the squadrons were temporarily based ashore at their assigned airfields. In Sep 1939, Enterprise became part of the Hawaiian Detachment of the U.S. Fleet whose homeport was Pearl Harbor. In Jan 1940 Enterprise was engaged in exercises in Hawaiian waters. In early Feb, she steamed for Puget Sound Navy Shipyard for an overhaul after making a brief port call in San Diego. In late May, Enterprise, her overhaul completed, returned to San Diego for about a month. She returned to Pearl Harbor on 2 July 1940. Enterprise conducted exercises from August to early Nov in the Hawaiian area. Then on 09 Nov she steamed to San Diego until 2 Dec when she got underway for the Puget Sound Navy Shipyard in Bremerton, WA.

Enterprise returned to Pearl Harbor on 21 Jan 1941. During 1941 Enterprise made 13 round trips between Hawaii and San Diego from April - Nov conducting exercise cycles and squadron work-ups. During those months she also shuttled Army Air Force P-39s and P-40s, as well as, Navy aircraft from US West Coast ports to Pearl Harbor and beyond. On 28 Nov 1941, Enterprise, now operating in a war-time steaming condition, left San Diego with a cargo of Marine Fighting Squadron 211 (VMF-211) aircraft and pilots destined for Wake Island. The Marine pilots and their planes flew from Enterprise to Wake Island on 02 Dec 1941. Enterprise was scheduled to arrive back in Pearl Harbor on 06 Dec, but was delayed due to inclement weather. Fortunately, she wasn't inport on the morning of 07 Dec, but arrived later that evening.

In the first five months of 1942, Enterprise and her Air Group participated in the attack on Gilbert and Marshall Islands on 01 Feb 1942. During this action VT-6 attacked Japanese forces on Kwajalein; Wake Island raid 24 Feb 1942; On 4 March, Enterprise’s Air Group attacked enemy installations on the Marcus Islands; and on 18 April, she supported the Doolittle raid. In early May, Enterprise and the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8) were dispatched to the South Pacific to assist the aircraft carriers USS Lexington (CV-2) and USS Yorktown (CV-5) who were engaged in the battle of the Coral Sea. However, before the ships arrived on-scene the battle of the Coral Sea was over. After participating in additional operations in the Central Pacific, Enterprise returned to Pearl Harbor on 26 May and began intensive preparations to meet an expected Japanese thrust at Midway Island. Enterprise got underway from Pearl Harbor on 28 May 1942, and with USS Hornet (CV-8), steamed toward a point Northeast of Midway called "Point Luck." USS Yorktown (CV-5) followed a short time later.

Early on the morning of 4 Jun 1942, Ltjg Eversole and his radioman-gunner RM2 John Udell Lane launched their torpedo plane from Enterprise along with other crews of VT-6 and Air Group Six to attack the Japanese striking force that was approaching Midway. Separated from their covering fighter protection, VT-6, comprised of 14 torpedo planes, had to thread their way through a gauntlet of swarming enemy fighters and a hail of anti-aircraft fire. One by one the planes of VT-6 were shot down. Of the fourteen torpedo planes that took off from the Enterprise that morning only four survived the attack. Ens Eversole and Petty Officer Lane did not return. Their remains were unrecoverable. They were listed as missing in action on 04 Jun 1942. On 05 Jun 1943 they were reported as "presumed dead."

Ltjg Eversole was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross, the Purple Heart Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation ribbon, The American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with a bronze battle star, and the World War II Victory Medal.

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The Post-Register (Idaho Falls, Idaho) - 6 July 1942

Navy Announces Casualty List

Washington, July 6. (AP) -- The U.S. navy department released Monday its sixth casualty list of the war: It included: Officers: Missing: John Thomas Eversole, Lt., (junior grade) U.S. navy; mother, Mrs J.J. Eversole, 137 Roosevelt avenue, Pocatello.

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The Navy Cross citation reads:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade John Thomas Eversole, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Torpedo Plane of Torpedo Squadron SIX, attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 June 1942. Participating in a vigorous and intensive assault against the Japanese invasion fleet, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Eversole pressed home his attack with relentless determination in the face of a terrific barrage of anti-aircraft fire. The unprecedented conditions under which his squadron launched its offensive were so exceptional that it is highly improbably the occasion may ever recur where other pilots of the service will be called upon to demonstrate an equal degree of gallantry and fortitude. His extreme disregard of personal safety contributed materially to the success of our forces and his loyal conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 309 (December 1942)

The information bulletin mentioned above is now call All Hands and is distributed throughout the navy each month. It can be found online.

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The Presidential Unit Citation reads:

For consistently outstanding performance and distinguished achievement during repeated action against enemy Japanese forces in the Pacific war area, 7 December 1941, to 15 November 1942. Participating in nearly every major carrier engagement in the first year of the war, the Enterprise and her air group, exclusive of far-flung destruction of hostile shore installations throughout the battle area, did sink or damage on her own a total of 35 Japanese vessels and shot down a total of 185 Japanese aircraft. Her aggressive spirit and superb combat efficiency are fitting tribute to the officers and men who so gallantly established her as an ahead bulwark in the defense of the American nation.

Actions of the Enterprise mentioned in the citation include the Gilbert and Marshalls of 01 Feb 1942; Wake Island raid, 24 Feb 1942; Marcus Island raid, 04 Mar 1942; Battle of Midway, 4-6 Jun 1942; Occupation of Guadalcanal, 7-8 Aug 1942; Battle of Stewart Islands, 24 Aug 1942; Battle of Santa Cruz Islands, 26 Oct 1942; and Battle of Solomon Islands, 14-15 Nov 1942.

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His family received a commemoration from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It reads:

In grateful memory of John Thomas Eversole, who died in the service of his country, SEA, Pacific Area, ATTACHED U.S.S. ENTERPRISE, 5 JUNE 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 of America

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The pilots and airmen of VT-6 that were killed in action on 04 June 1942:

1) Lcdr Eugene Elbert Lindsey (CO VT-6) and his gunner, ACRM Charles Tilden Grenat.

2) Lt Arthur Vincent Ely (VT-6 XO) and his gunner, RM3 Arthur Richard Lindgren

3) Lt Paul James Riley and his gunner, ARM2 Edwin John Mushinski

4) Ltjg John Thomas Eversole and his gunner, RM2 John Udell Lane

5) Ltjg Randolph Mitchell Holder and his gunner, ARM3 Gregory Joseph Durawa

6) Ltjg Severin Louis Rombach and his gunner, ARM2 Wilburn Forrest Glenn

7) Ltjg Lloyd Thomas and his gunner, ARM2 Harold Francis Littlefield

8) Ensign John Wiley Brock and his gunner, ARM3 John Melville Blundell

9) Ensign Flourenoy Glenn Hodges and his gunner, RM2 John Hail Bates

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Two ships were named in his honor.

The Post-Register (Idaho Falls, Idaho) - 2 Dec 1943, Thu - p. 5

Warship Named For Hero To Be Launched Dec. 6

Houston, Tex., Dec. 2. (AP) -- The destroyer escort vessel U.S.S. Eversole, named for the late Lieut. (jg) John Thomas Eversole, a pilot of famed torpedo squadron six, will be launched here December 6 at the Brown Shipbuilding company yards, the navy announced Thursday. The warship will be sponsored by the officer's mother, Mrs Sarah R. Eversole, 137 Roosevelt avenue, Pocatello, Idaho. Eversole was cited for launching an offensive under conditions "so exceptional that it is highly improbable the occasion may ever recur where other pilots will be called upon to demonstrate an equal degree of gallantry and fortitude." Eversole was born in Pocatello April 17, 1915, and died as a result of enemy action June 4, 1942, when the plane of which he was pilot was shot down in the battle of Midway.

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The destroyer escort USS Eversole (DE-404) was a John C. Butler class and was the first ship named in his honor. She was launched 3 Dec 1943 in Houston, TX and commissioned on 21 March 1944. After a month transit from Boston to Pearl Harbor she arrived there on 19 Jun 1944. Assigned escort and screening duty she was engaged in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. On 28 October shortly after making sonar contact Eversole was struck by a torpedo. Ordered abandoned she sank but exploded while her crew was in the water. All of the crew was killed or wounded. Other escorts rescued 139 survivors and later sank the Japanese submarine, I-45, presumably the attaching boat. Eversole received two battle stars for World War II service. More than 40 of her crew were lost with the ship. In 1946 a second ship, the Gearing class destroyer USS Eversole (DD-789) was named in his honor. She was decommissioned on 11 Jul 1983 and stricken from the NR on 21 Sept 1973.

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Task Force 16 Citation Recognizing its contribution to the Doolittle Raid, 18 April 1942.

On the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the Second World War, it is appropriate that we take time to reflect on the unique and daring accomplishments achieved early in the war by Task Force 16. Sailing westward under sealed orders in April 1942, only four months after the devastating raid on Pearl Harbor, Task Force 16, carrying sixteen Army B-25 bombers, proceeded into history. Facing adverse weather and under constant threat of discovery before bombers could be launched to strike the Japanese homeland, the crews of the ships and LTC Doolittle's bombers persevered. On 18 April 1942 at 14:45, perseverance produced success as radio broadcasts from Japan confirmed the success of the raids. These raids were an enormous boost to the morale of the American people in those early and dark days of the war and a harbinger of the future for the Japanese High Command that had so foolishly awakened "The Sleeping Giant." These exploits, which so inspired the service men and women and the nation live on today and are remembered when the necessity of success against all odds is required.

(Signed) John H.Dalton

Secretary of the Navy

15 May 1995

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Combat Action Ribbon (CR) note:

None of the Navy/Marine flight crews in the Battle of Midway were eligible for or were awarded the Combat Action Ribbon (CR). See Navy and Marine Corps Awards Manual (SECNAVINST 1650.1H of Aug 22, 2006, Chapter 2, Section 3, p2-34). It reads in part, “The CR will not be awarded to personnel for Aerial Combat, . . . “ The CR was established in 1969 and made retroactive to 07 Dec 1941.

[Bio compiled by GML470]