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Bangust, Joseph, AMM2c.
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Casualty Info
Home Town Niles, OH
Last Address Niles, OH
Casualty Date Dec 27, 1941
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Gun, Small Arms Fire
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:
Joseph Bangust was born on 30 May 1915 in Niles, Ohio and enlisted in the Navy on 16 November 1938. Promoted to seaman 2d class, he was transferred to Patrol Wing 2 in June 1939, and, within the wing, to Patrol Squadron 21 the following July. He accompanied the squadron as it deployed to the Philippine Islands with its Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boats, and in December 1939 received promotion to seaman 1st class. Within the next year, he was promoted twice: to aviation machinist's mate 3d class (May 1940) and aviation machinist's mate 2d class (February 1941). When the war began in December 1941, Bangust was assigned to VP-101. Six PBYs departed their base at Ambon, Netherlands East Indies on 26 December 1941 to attack Jolo harbor. Bangust flew as gunner with Ens. Elwyn L. Christman. Antiaircraft fire from shore emplacements greeted the PBYs over the harbor, ceasing when a group of Mitsubishi A6M2 fighters appeared to intercept the attackers. Bangust teamed up with AMMl Andrew K. Waterman in downing the first Zero. The attacker having been dealt with, Christman released his bombs and headed west along the Sulu Archipelago. One fighter followed, attacking the plane's port side persistently, but Christman sought to foil the attacker by turning into him, forcing him to break off his runs. Unfortunately, a projectile from one of the Zero's cannon holed the fuel tank, sending gasoline into the mechanic's compartment. On his next run, the Zero ignited the volatile fuel. Blinded, with third-degree burns on his face, hands and neck, Bangust and RM2 P. H. Landers bailed out of the burning plane. Ens. Christman rode the plane in and landed on the water. Landers, less injured than Bangust, guided him as they struck out for the island of Lugos. At about noon on 27 December, Landers glanced behind to see only an empty life jacket, Bangust had apparently slipped from it and drowned. His body was never recovered. For his extraordinary heroism during the action, Bangust was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously.
Comments/Citation:
Service number: 3812689
Navy Cross
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Battalion: Patrol Squadron 101 (VP-101)
Division: Patrol Wing 10
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 304 (July 1942)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Aviation Machinist's Mate First Class Joseph Bangust (NSN: 3812689), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Waist Gunner of a Navy Patrol Plane in Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED ONE (VP-101), Patrol Wing TEN (PatWing-10), in action against enemy Japanese war and merchant vessels located near Jolo Harbor, in the Philippine Islands, on the morning of 27 December 1941. In the ensuing action, Japanese Zero fighters and anti-aircraft bursts filled the air around the harbor, but the U.S. Navy PBY-4 bombers made their approach, dropped their bombs and inflicted heavy damage upon several enemy war and merchant ships. Although he was wounded shortly after the approach was made, Aviation Machinist's Mate First Class Bangust remained at his station and continued to fire upon the Japanese Zero fighters until enemy bullets killed him at his post. 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.
Image
Navy Cross - 1941
Name of Award Navy Cross
Year Awarded 1941
Last Updated: Feb 25, 2008
This ribbon will display Multiple Award devices automatically based on the total number of awards listed
Details Behind Award
Six PBYs departed their advance base at Ambon in the Netherlands East Indies at 2300 on 26 December 1941 to attack Japanese shipping reported in Jolo harbor in the Sulu Archipelago. Bangust flew as second mechanic and gunner in the Catalina flown by Ensign Elwyn L. Christman, USNR. ?Very accurate? antiaircraft fire from shore emplacements greeted the PBYs as they arrived over the harbor, but it ceased when a group of Mitsubishi A6M2 Type 0 fighters appeared to intercept the attackers. Bangust teamed up with Aviation Machinist?s Mate lst Class Andrew K. Waterman, the other gunner and the plane's first mechanic, in downing the first Zero.
That one attacker having been dealt with, Christman released his bombs in a 60 degree dive, pulled out, and then headed west along the Sulu Archipelago. One fighter followed, attacking the plane?s port side persistently, but Christman sought to foil the attacker by turning into him, forcing him to break off his runs. A deadly duel ensued as the planes headed west; unfortunately, a projectile from one of the Zero?s cannon holed the fuel tank, sending a stream of gasoline into the mechanic?s compartment. On his next run, the Zero managed to ignite the volatile fuel.
Blinded, and having suffered third-degree burns on his face, hands and neck, Bangust joined Radioman 2d Class P. H. Landers, the second radioman, in bailing out of the burning flying boat. Meanwhile, Ensign Christman rode the plane in and landed on the water. Landers, less injured than Bangust, guided the latter?s swimming efforts as they struck out for the island of Lugos. About noon on 27 December, Landers glanced behind at his injured shipmate but saw only an empty life jacket--Bangust had apparently slipped from it and drowned. For his ?courage and successful machine gunnery? and his ?extraordinary heroism? during the action over Jolo, Bangust was awarded the Navy Cross, posthumously.
Citation: The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Joseph Bangust (3812689), Aviation Machinist's Mate First Class, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Waist Gunner of a Navy Patrol Plane in Patrol Squadron ONE HUNDRED ONE (VP-101), Patrol Wing TEN (PatWing-10), in action against enemy Japanese naval forces located near Jolo, in the Philippine Islands, on the morning of 27 December 1941. In the ensuing action, Japanese Zero fighters and anti-aircraft bursts filled the air around the harbor, but the U.S. Navy PBY-4 bombers made their approach, dropped their bombs and inflicted heavy damage upon several enemy war and merchant ships. Although he was wounded shortly after the approach was made, Aviation Machinist's Mate First Class Bangust remained at his station and continued to fire upon the Japanese Zero fighters until enemy bullets killed him at his post. 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.