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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)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reunions

 

 

 

2006      2004     2002    2000

 

 

 

The 2006 reunion will be held in Beaumont, Texas.  We are hoping for a large turnout.  If all the shipmates who live in Texas attend, we’ll fill the hotel.  Bob Sipole, our reunion coordinator has put together a great reunion.  All the details can be found in the newsletters.  Please click on newsletters at the top of the page for details and the event sign up sheet.  Please reserve your room and send in your sign up sheet as soon as possible.  The deadline for sign up sheets is September 1.  Please send in your sheets as soon as possible.  Bob needs to have an idea of the number of people to make coach reservations.

Date:               Nov. 1-4, 2006 (Depart Nov. 5)

Place:             Holiday Inn Beaumont Plaza

                        3950 I H 10

                        Beaumont, TX

Local:              409-842-5995

Toll Free:        800-315-2621

Group Rate:   $89.00 per night plus tax

Group Code:  2-USH

Website:         http://www.holidayinnbeaumont.com

 

The hotel has been completely renovated since Hurricane Rita damaged it and we’re told it’s beautiful.

 

There will be a bus trip on Nov. 1 to L’Auberge du Lac Casino/Resort.  We don’t have a departure time yet, but it will be in the morning.  If you plan to go, you should plan to arrive at the hotel October 31.

 

There will be a trip to the Johnson Space Center in Houston including lunch one day.  Also, a Beaumont city tour of museums followed by a memorial service.

 

On Friday night, there will be a banquet with a Cajun band as entertainment.

 

On Saturday morning, there will be a breakfast buffet.  In the afternoon, we’ll have a business meeting followed by a raffle.  Please bring an inexpensive or home made item for the raffle.

 

A Tucker ship model will be raffled.  See information in the newsletters for ticket information.  A replica of a British compass and a walking stick carved by Dayton Powell with USS Henry W. Tucker on it will be raffled.  For the compass and walking stick, tickets will be sold at the reunion only.

 

Start times for events will be noted in the next newsletter.  Bob needs a general head count before he can set the start times, so please send in your event sheets.

 

For those traveling in RVs, several shipmates will be staying at a nearby RV Resort

 

            Place:             Gulf Coast RV Resort

                                    5175 Brooks Rd.

                                    Beaumont, TX

            Local Tel:       409-842-2285

            Toll Free:        866-410-7801

            Rate:               $30.00 per night

                                    Passport America rate:  $15.00 per night

 

Due to hurricane damage to the main terminal at  the Beaumont airport, Bob Sipole, our reunion coordinator, suggests flying into Houston.  Bush Intercontinental Airport (IAG) and Hobby Airport (HOU) are about 85 miles from Beaumont.  Continental is the primary airline into Bush and Southwest is the primary airline into Hobby.

 

Enterprise Rent-A-Car has given our group a special rate for the reunion.  10% discount off the best published rate available in the Greater Houston/Beaumont area.

 

 

            Toll Free:        1 800 RENT A CAR

            Internet:           http://www.enterprise.com

            Code:             0690219

 

For more information on the reunion and events, click on the newsletters link at the top of the page.  The event sign-up sheet can be found in the April and June 2006 newsletters.

           

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

USS Henry W. Tucker
DD 875