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Casualty Info
Home Town Stockton, CA
Last Address Anaheim, California
Casualty Date Nov 14, 1942
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Air Loss, Crash - Sea
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Manila American Cemetery - Taguig City, Philippines
Wall/Plot Coordinates (cenotaph)
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
LTJG was assigned to Bombing Squadron 10 (VB-10) aboard the USS Enterprise (CV-6). He took off from the carrier on November 14, 1942 during the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. He never returned to the ship. He was listed as missing in action and later declared dead.
Comments/Citation:
NAVY CROSS
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to J. Donald Wakeham, Ensign, U.S. Navy (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving as Pilot of a carrier- based Navy Dive Bomber in Bombing Squadron TEN (VB-10), embarked from the U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), in action against the enemy on 14 November 1942, while deployed in the Solomon Islands. His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
Born: May 24, 1919 at Stockton, California
Home Town: Anaheim, California
NAVY CROSS