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Steven Loomis, IC3
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HENNESSY, John (Navy Cross), CWO3.
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JOHN N. HENNESSY
CWO3, U.S. NAVY
CWO 3 John N. Hennessy, was awarded the Navy Cross for heroic action, directed against Japanese forces, long before the attack on Pearl Harbor caused the U.S. to enter World War II. The event was the unprovoked bombing of the USS PANAY, a gunboat stationed in the Yangtze River above Nanking, China. Japanese aircraft launched a sneak attack on the vessel, killing two of the crew, wounding others, and sinking the ship.
NAVY CROSS
Gunner's Mate Second Class, U.S. Navy U.S.S. Panay Date of Action: December 12, 1937
Citation:
The Navy Cross is presented to John N. Hennessy, Gunner's Mate Second Class, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism on the occasion of the bombing and loss of the U.S.S.Panay on 12 December 1937. Gunner's Mate Second Class Hennessy was a member of the crew, which courageously operated the machine gun battery against the attacking planes even though these guns could not bear forward from which direction most of the attacks were made. He remained at his post of duty until the ammunition was expended and he was ordered to abandon ship. His performance of duty on this occasion was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Naval Service.
He was later awarded $5,000 by the Japanese government for his wounds.
