Halfway was not only a conflict of warships and plane. It is also a testomony to the dedication and bravado of the Navy physicians, dentists, and pharmacist’s mates (hospital corpsmen). Navy medical personnel served on each vessel within the Navy Activity Forces 16 and 17—from the immense carriers to the nimble destroyers. Within the crucible of the battle, medical personnel administered life-saving care to wounded sailors, carried out surgical procedure, and stabilized important accidents with restricted assets. And when ships had been broken or sunk, medical personnel typically coordinated evacuation efforts whereas guaranteeing that the wounded obtained the care they desperately wanted.
Among the many many who displayed distinctive heroism at Halfway had been two of Navy Medication’s best:
Lt. John H. Peterson, USS Hammann (DD-412):
Peterson served as medical officer aboard the destroyer USS Hammann at Halfway. Though injured by a shock of a torpedo explosion, Lt. Peterson helped lead the evacuation efforts from his ship. Afterwards, he directed the rescue of many severely wounded sailors who would possibly in any other case have drowned. For 3 grueling days, he rendered fixed medical care to the wounded aboard one other destroyer en path to its base, pushing himself to the brink of exhaustion.
Lt. j.g. Edward Augustus Kearney, USS Yorktown (CV-5):
Dr. Kearney’s unwavering dedication prolonged far past his preliminary obligation throughout the assaults. A Navy doctor connected to the ill-fated provider Yorktown, Kearney helped evacuate the casualties from the sinking ship and led the hassle to look after wounded aboard the rescue craft. Kearney volunteered to return to Yorktown as a part of a salvage celebration, serving to to gather the lifeless and put together their burials at sea. Afterwards, he was assigned to be the medical officer aboard destroyer USS Benham (DD-397) caring for 70 wounded, 45 of whom had been in important situation. His devotion to obligation {and professional} talent as a surgeon, whereas working with out the conventional amenities of a sickbay or working room, are accountable for many surviving Halfway and attending to medical amenities on Pearl Harbor the place they obtained superior care.
Kearney and Peterson had been later awarded Silver Stars for his or her distinctive service at Halfway.
Whereas Kearney and Peterson function examples of the extraordinary acts of bravery at Halfway, they signify solely a part of the medical assist supplied. Many won’t ever obtain the popularity they deserve, however their collective efforts ensured numerous sailors survived to battle one other day.
Sources:
Government Officer’s Report of Motion for Interval of June 4-June 7, 1942. USS Yorktown. BUMED Correspondence Data, Nationwide Archives II, School Park, MD.
Homosexual, George H. Sole Survivor: The Battle of Halfway and Its Results on His Life. Naples, FL: Halfway Pubs., 1980. 320 pp.
Hough, Richard A. The Battle of Halfway. New York: Macmillan, 1970. 90 pp.
Peterson, John. Army Occasions Awards of Valor. Retrieved from: https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/20777
