MAXSON-WILLIS

KILLED  IN  ACTION

Willis Edward Maxson III was born on March 18, 1920 in Wichita Falls, Texas.  He entered the U.S. Naval Academy in June 1939 and graduated in June 1942 as Regimental Commander of his class.  On the morning of October 6, 1943 he was serving aboard the submarine USS Skate which was performing Submarine Lifeguard League duty off Wake Island to rescue downed aviators.  This day LTJG Maxson was the Junior OOD of the 0400-0800 watch and was among a group of eleven crewmembers on deck to assist in rescue operations in connection with a large air strike on Wake Island by aircraft from U.S. carriers.  While surfaced in the process of rescuing an aviator who had been shot down, a Japanese plane was observed as it approached and the men scrambled down the hatch as the plane strafed the Skate. 

All the men managed to get below decks as the plane strafed and the submarine dived.  Unfortunately, as LTJG Maxson reached the control room he collapsed, clutching his stomach, his face contorted with agony.  He gasped, “I guess he got me sir,” to a fellow officer who knelt beside him and then lapsed into unconsciousness.  The ship’s pharmacist mate quick discovered a bullet hole on the right side of LTJG Maxson’s back between the shoulder and hip.  He had been struck by a ricochet while crouched behind the periscope shears as the plane bored in and the bullet evidently lodged in his stomach area as no exit wound could be found.  The night of October 6-7 passed quietly as Maxson lay in great pain but he bore it bravely and in silence, and requested that Skate carry out her mission without regard to him.  Because of his critical condition a request was made to a nearby destroyer to make a rendezvous but a meeting was not accomplished.  Shortly before dawn on October 8, Maxon died.  That night, in order not to be interrupted by enemy planes, at 11:45pm all engines were stopped and a simple burial service was read in the control room.  As the service ended, LTJG Maxon’s body, sewn in canvas and draped with the colors, was gently passed up the after battery room hatch and reverently lowered over the side as his shipmates committed his body to the deep.

LTJG Maxson was survived by his wife and young daughter who were living in Austin, Texas.  The name of LTJG Willis Edward Maxson III is engraved on the Tablets of the Missing at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, Hawaii.

NAVY  CROSS  CITATION

The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Willis Edward Maxson, III, Lieutenant Junior Grade, US Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Junior Officer of the Watch onboard the USS SKATE (SS-305), during an attack by a U.S. warship on an enemy base at Wake Island on 7 October 1943.  Lieutenant Junior Grade Maxson defied extreme danger to remain steadfastly at his post while his ship effected the hazardous rescue of two naval aviators shot down within 5000 yards of the Japanese base.  While searching for a third, the vessel was attacked by a Japanese dive-bomber, and was forced to dive to escape.  During this action, while braving concentrated fire, Lieutenant Junior Grade Maxson received a mortal wound.  His conduct throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.  He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Submitted by CDR Roy A. Mosteller, USNR (Ret)