This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Sheila Rae Myers, HM3
to remember
Church, Ray William, MoMM1c.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Fremont, NE
Last Address Fremont, NE
Casualty Date Aug 06, 1945
Cause Hostile-Body Not Recovered
Reason Other Explosive Device
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Manila American Cemetery and Memorial - Manila, Philippines
Wall/Plot Coordinates (cenotaph)
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity
USS Bullhead (SS-332) began her third and final patrol on 31 July 1945. The last contact with the boat was on 2 August. Post war Japanese records show that a plane depth charged and presumably sunk an American Submarine on 6 August, the same day the Atom bomb was dropped on Hiroshima. Motor Machinist's Mate First Class Church was listed as Missing in Action and officially declared dead 23 August 1946.
Comments/Citation
Service number: 3166940
Submarine war patrols:
USS Plunger (SS-179) - 6th through 8th
USS Pogy (SS-266) - 4th through 6th
USS Bullhead (SS-332) - 1st through 3rd
Navy Unit Commendation
For outstanding heroism in action against enemy Japanese shipping and combatant units, during her Fifth War Patrol in the East China Sea Area, from January 15 to March 8, 1944, and her Sixth War Patrol souteast of Japan, from April 7 to May 29, 1944. Aggressive and determined in covering her assigned areas, the USS Pogy pressed home vigorous attacks in the face of the enemy's violent countermeasures; and although sustaining wounds under the smashing force of enemy depth charges, she launched her torpedoes with devastaing speed and skill, sinking eight vessels, including a Mutusuki Class Destroyer and a Fleet Type Submarine for a total of nearly 45,000 tons and severely damaging two other ships totalling approximately 14,000 tons. The Pogy's outstanding record in combat exemplifies the skill and fearless devotion to duty of her officers and men and reflects the highest credit upon herself and the United States Naval Service.
The information contained in this profile was compiled from various internet sources.
