This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Shaun Thomas (Underdog), OSC
to remember
Karrol, Joseph John, ARM1c.
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Casualty Info
Last Address Minerville, NY
Casualty Date Jun 05, 1942
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Sea
Location Midway Islands
Conflict World War II
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Comments/Citation:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Joseph John Karrol (2385511), Aviation Radioman First Class, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Rear Gunner of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane of Scouting Squadron FIVE (VS-5), embarked from the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 - 6 June 1942. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
East Indies Campaign (1941-42)/Battle of Java Sea
From Month/Year
February / 1942
To Month/Year
February / 1942
Description The Battle of the Java Sea was a decisive naval battle of the Pacific campaign of World War II.
Allied navies suffered a disastrous defeat at the hand of the Imperial Japanese Navy, on 27 February 1942, and in secondary actions over successive days. The American-British-Dutch-Australian Command (ABDA) Strike Force commander—Rear-Admiral Karel Doorman—was killed. The aftermath of the battle included several smaller actions around Java, including the smaller but also significant Battle of Sunda Strait. These defeats led to Japanese occupation of the entire Netherlands East Indies.
The battle was the largest surface ship engagement since the Battle of Jutland in 1916.
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Joseph John Karrol (2385511), Aviation Radioman First Class, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Rear Gunner of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane of Scouting Squadron FIVE (VS-5), embarked from the U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 - 6 June 1942. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.