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PM3 Henry
Warren Tucker
1919 - 1942
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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.
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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.
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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)
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Reunions have been held every other year since 2000. So far, there have been reunions
in Biloxi, Mississippi
(2000), San Diego, California
(2002), Charleston, South
Carolina (2004), and Beaumont,
Texas (2006).
The next reunion will be in Renton,
Washington (Seattle area) in October 2008. Click on “2008” above for information
and also the newsletters.
Reunions are open to all crew members who served from 1945 to
1973, their families and friends.
This is truly a family organization. We especially welcome the widows,
sons, daughters and grandchildren of shipmates.
We also welcome crew members from Marcilio Diaz in Brazil.
We’re beginning to think ahead to the 2010 reunion,
which will be held on the east coast. We are looking at either Wilmington, North Carolina
or Myrtle Beach, South Carolina.
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USS
Henry W. Tucker
DD 875
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