Gamel, John Worth, ENS

After the sinking of the USS Sculpin (SS-191), forty-two members of the crew were picked up by the Japanese ship Yamagumo. One badly wounded sailor was thrown back in the sea because of his condition. The survivors were questioned for about ten days at the Japanese naval base at Truk, then were embarked on two aircraft carriers returning to Japan. Chuyo carried 21 of the survivors in her hold. On 2 December, the carrier was torpedoed and sunk by the USS Sailfish and twenty of the American prisoners perished - including ENS Gamel.

Service number: 187906

Submarine war patrols: USS Sculpin (SS-191) - 7th through 9th

Bronze Star
For heroic service while attached to the USS Sculpin during the ninth war patrol of that vessel against the enemy Japanese forces in the Truk Island area November 19,1943. After his ship had been severely damaged abd forced to surface during a terrific enemy depth-charge attack, Ensign Gamel gallantly manned his battle station and, despite the enemy's overwhelming gunfire, resolutely carried out his essential duties until his ship was scuttled by her gallant crew. Disregarding his own safety to help in saving many of the wounded from drowning after abandoning ship, Ensign Gamel, by his heoric conduct and unflatering devotion to duty, upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Many sources - especially newspaper articles - have ENS Gamel listed as "J. Worth" or simply "Worth". It seems he went by his middle name and that's how most people knew him.

The information in this profile was compiled from various internet sources.