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PM3 Henry Warren Tucker
1919 - 1942

Our ship was named in honor of PM3 Henry Warren Tucker of York, Alabama, USNR. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroism during the Battle of the Coral Sea, 7 May 1942.

Tucker was called to active duty in July, 1941, and reported to the Naval Hospital at Pensacola, Florida.

On 15 January 1942, Tucker reported aboard the tanker USS Neosho (AO-23) for duty. The Neosho had survived the Pearl Harbor attack despite being berthed on "Battleship Row."

During the opening phase of the Battle of the Coral Sea, Japanese naval forces launched an all-out aerial attack on what they believed was the main U.S. battle force. What the Japanese found instead was the Neosho and destroyer USS Sims (DD-409) waiting at a refueling rendezvous.

Facing a 60-plane attack, the fate of the two American ships was never in doubt. The Sims exploded and sank immediately with a loss of almost the entire crew. Despite its cargo of burning aviation gas and fuel oil. the Neosho managed to remain afloat for awhile.

For his actions during the sinking of the Neosho, Tucker was awarded the Navy Cross. The citation reads as follows:

"For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his professionalism following the attack on the USS Neosho by enemy Japanese aerial forces on 7 May 1942.

"With complete disregard for his own life, Tucker swam between the various life rafts carrying tannic acid in his hands to treat the burns of the injured men.

"He hazarded the dangers of exposure and exhaustion to continue his task, helping the injured to boats but refusing a place for himself.

"Tucker was subsequently reported as missing in action and it is believed he lost his life in his loyal and courageous devotion to duty.

His valorous actions enhance and sustain the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

U.S. Department of the Navy
(1942)

Newsletters

Below are links to all the newsletters that have been sent out since the USS Henry W. Tucker Reunion Association began in 2000.

There are sections in each newsletter for new members, additions to the Memorial List and a Sick Bay list. If you know of anyone (shipmate or spouse) who is ill or has passed away, please send information to Pat Siler.

If you know the whereabouts of a crew member who is on our Missing List, please let us know how to contact that person.

To open the PDF format, you will need Acrobat Reader. If you don’t have Acrobat Reader on your computer, you can download it free from the Adobe website. Acrobat Reader allows you to open “PDF” files.

http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html

February 2010 (PDF format)

February 2010 (HTML format)

February newsletter revised 22 February 2010

December 2009 (PDF format)

December 2009 (HTML format)

June 2009 (PDF format)

June 2009 (HTML format)

March 2009 (PDF format)

March 2009 (HTML format)

November 2008 (PDF format)

November 2008 (HTML format)