Eversole (DD 789) - Naval Cruise Book

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LTJG John Thomas Eversole Born April 17, 1915 Killed in action BATTLE of MIDWAY June 4, 1942 NAVY CROSS For extraordinary heroism and courageous devotion to duty while piloting an airplane of Torpedo Squadron Six in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Battle of Midway on June 4. 1942 participating in a vigorous and intensive assault against the Japanese Inva- tion Fleet, LTJG EVERSOLE pressed home his attack with relentless determination. In the face of a terrific barage of anti-aircraft fire the unprecedented conditions under which his squadron launched its offensive were so exceptional that it is highly improbable the occasion ' may ever recur where other pilots of the service will be called upon to demonstrate an equal degree of gallantry and fortitude. His extreme disregard of personal safety contributed materially to the success of our forces and his loyal conduct was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Force.

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VERSOLE DD-789 Western Pacific Deployment 10 April thru 09 November 1972

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Photo courtesy of Our Navy Photo, Brooklyn, N.Y. 11217 USS E VERS OLE DE-404 The first Eversole (DE-404 ) was launched December 3, 1943 by Brown Shipbuilding Co. Houston. Texas; sponsored by Mrs. Sarah R. Eversole, mother of Lieutenant (junior grade) Eversole, and commissioned March 21, 1944; Lieutenant Commander G.E. Marix in com- mand. Eversole sailed from Boston May 20, 1944 tor Pearl Harbor, arriving June 19. Alter training with submarines in the Hawaiian Islands, she made an escort voyage to Eniwetok, then sailed to Eniwetok and Manus on escort duty. She returned to Eniwetok for antisub- marine patrols until August 9, when she put to sea screening carriers for the attack on Morotai. She continued this duty, serving with the escort carriers in the initial assaults in Leyte Gulf on October 20. During the Battle for Leyte Gulf, when a decisive victory was won after great hazard to the escort carriers and their screens, Eversole screened two of the damaged carriers, rescued dow ned pilots and took wounded off one of the carriers. In the earl) morning of October 28, Eversole made contact by sonar with a submarine and only half a minute later suffered the first of two torpedo hits. The ship was ordered abandoned and after the men were all in the water, the submarine surfaced and opened lire then dived once more. Five minutes later there was a tremendous underwater explosion which killed or wounded all of Eversole ' s men. Lights from the survivor ' s flashlights attracted two other escorts, one oi which rescued the 139 wounded survivors, as the other began a series of attacks which sank 1-45. presumablv the submarine which had torpedoed Eversole. Eversole received two battle stars for World War II service.