This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Shaun Thomas (Underdog), OSC
to remember
Roberts, John Quincy, ENS.
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Casualty Info
Home Town Boaz, AL
Last Address 8000 North 8th Ave Birmingham, AL
Casualty Date Jun 04, 1942
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Sea
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial - Honolulu, Hawaii
Wall/Plot Coordinates Court 1 (cenotaph)
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
ENS Roberts was assigned to Scouting Squadron 6 (VS-6) aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6). In the early morning hours of June 4, 1942 pilot Ens. John Roberts, his gunner, Aviation Ordnanceman First Class Thurman Randolph Swindell, and many other aircraft of Enterprises' Air Wing Six, flew off to attack the approaching Japanese Striking Force near Midway. During the ensuing battle Air Wing Six aircraft helped inflict fatal damage to three of the four Japanese carriers. Ensign Roberts' plane was shot down during the battle. He was listed as missing in action and later declared dead.
Comments/Citation:
Service numbers: Enlisted - 4074102 Officer - 098666
Navy Cross
Awarded for Action During World War II
Service: Navy
Battalion: Scouting Squadron 6 (VS-6)
Division: U.S.S. Enterprise (CV-6)
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 309 (December 1942)
Citation: The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Ensign John Quincy Roberts (NSN: 0-98666), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier-based Navy Scouting Plane of Scouting Squadron SIX (VS-6), attached to the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), during the "Air Battle of Midway," against enemy Japanese forces on 4 - 6 June 1942. Participating in a devastating assault against a Japanese invasion fleet, Ensign Roberts, with fortitude and resolute devotion to duty, pressed home his attacks in the face of a formidable barrage of anti-aircraft fire and fierce fighter opposition. His gallant perseverance and utter disregard for his own personal safety were important contributing factors to the success achieved by our forces and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Image
American Defense Service Medal - 1941
Name of Award American Defense Service Medal
Devices
Star in Lieu of the following Clasps
Fleet Clasp for US Navy, US Marine Corps and US Coast Guard for service on the high seas while regularly attached to any vessels of the Atlantic, Pacific, or Asiatic fleets as well as vessels of the Naval Transport Service and vessels operating directly under the Chief of Naval Operations
Base Clasp for US Navy and US Marine Corps for service outside the continental limits of the United States (service in either Alaska or Hawaii qualified
Sea Clasp for US Coast Guard for all other vessels and aircraft, not qualifying for the Fleet Clasp, which regularly conducted patrols at sea
Foreign Service Class for US Army for military service outside the continental limits of the United States, including service in Alaska.
Year Awarded 1941
Last Updated: Feb 2, 2019
This ribbon will display Multiple Award devices automatically based on the total number of awards listed