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Home Town Siluria, Shelby County, Alabama
Last Address John Luther Hodge was born 25 June 1910 in Shelby County (Siluria) AL and died 4 December 1973 in Berks County PA. He is buried in Forest Hills Memorial Park in Reiffton, Berks County PA.
Date of Passing Dec 04, 1973
Location of Interment Forest Hills Mem Park - Reiffton, Pennsylvania
Wall/Plot Coordinates Plot: Section Lot #653 Block K Grave #B
JOHN LUTHER HODGE
FN 1/c, Landsman for Electrician (R)
USNR, NAVY CROSS
NAVY CROSS Awarded for actions during Peace Time (pre-WWII enemy action)
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Fireman First Class John L. Hodge, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty during the bombing and loss of the U.S.S. PANAY (PR-5), when that vessel was attacked by Japanese airplanes during patrol in the Yangtze River, China, on 12 December 1937. Fireman First Class Hodge displayed great coolness under fire while helping the Captain of the S.S. Mei Ping to get the underway and alongside a dock during the attack. Though wounded in this action, he assisted in extinguishing a fire caused by the first bombing, thereby temporarily saving the ship. Salvaging a first aid kit, he then rendered first aid to many wounded Americans and Chinese. The conduct of Fireman First Class John L. Hodge throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Bureau of Navigation Bulletin 261 (July 1, 1938) Service: Navy Division: U.S.S. Panay (PR-5)
He was later awarded $5,000 by the Japanese government for his wounds.
NAVY DEPARTMENT OFFICE OF CHIEF OF NAVAL OPERATIONS WASHINGTON
14 December, 1937
MEMORANDUM for Bureau of Navigation.
The following are excerpts from dispatches which appear to involve personnel and may be of interest:
"Following sent from BEE at 2045 'All ships in American convoy destroyed Stop all were anchored between Kaiyua wharf and Hohsien in midriver Stop PANAY attacked by bombers about 1324 she wa apparently hit and sinking bows first Meid Beached and abandoned on north shore stop after first bombing Meping and Meishan berthed alongside Kaiyuan wharf Hohsien stop fires extinguished and contract made with Japanese military who were standing alongside when ships were finally bombed and set on fire stop PANAY sailors now on board BEE were in Neipin at time of bombing remainder landed south shore vanes but believe trying to get Wuhu overland SOP Marshal James of colliers magazine was last seen last night walking inland badly wounded in neck Hodge JL fireman first class of PANAY missing'.
"Following message from BEE 'following are now aboard BEE Sherwood Pickering and Goldy of Socony comma Jorgensen of Mei Hsia comma Mender and Blasina of Peiping comma Pucket Hoyle Coleman Granes Bonoski Dirnhoffer Browning all of PANAY period Am moving into stream for the night to avoid danger from burning hulks of Meiping and Meihsia period survivors account of what happened follows period I am signalling over north bank with S dash L to say BEE will be off Hohsien again in the morning period vines of Bat survivors of yesterday bombing may be finding their way overland to Wuhu period inform Hashimoto'.
It was Fireman John L. Hodge who was later credited with saving the life of James Marshal of Colliers Magizine.
Fireman first class John L. Hodge, was decorated with the Navy Cross for the bravery he displayed during the sinking of the U.S. gunboat Panay by Japanese bombs last year. It was Hodge who carried Jim Marshall, staff writer for Collier's injured in the bombing, from the scene of the sinking vessel to Wuhu, China, a distance of about 17 miles.
For performance in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Navy, John Luther Hodge, fireman first class of Siluria, AL, has been decorated with the Navy Cross by Assistant Secretary of the Navy Charles Edison. The award came for Hodges' coolness under fire and for care of the injured during and subsequent to the bombing and sinking of the U.S.S. Panay. The citation reads in part "For having distinguished himself by display of heroism on the occasion of the bombing and loss of the U.S.S. Panay December 12, 1937. His performance of duty on this occasion was in keeping with the highest traditions of the naval service." Hodge was still confined to a wheelchair when the award was made.
Hodge was also awarded the Soldiers Medal for bravery. In 1942 the Navy created the NAVY AND MARINE CORPS MEDAL which was their version of this award.
