POWELL-WILLIAM
WILLIAM THOMAS POWELL
Deceased
Rate/Rank
GM2
GM2
Service Branch
USN 10/1939 - 11/1942
Born
10/03/1918
CINCINNATI, OH
KILLED IN ACTION - USS SAN FRANCISCO CA-38, 11/12/1942
USS WILLIAM T. POWELL DE-213 NAMED IN HIS HONOR
USS WILLIAM T. POWELL DE-213 NAMED IN HIS HONOR
USS SAN FRANCISCO CA-38 - JAPANESE TORPEDO PLANE STRIKE, OFF GUADALCANAL
NAVY CROSS * PURPLE HEART
COMBAT ACTION RIBBON
PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION
AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL W/ FLEET CLASP
AMERICAN CAMPAIGN MEDAL
ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL W/ 3 STARS
WORLD WAR II VICTORY MEDAL
*POWELL, WILLIAM THOMAS
Synopsis:
The President of the United States takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to William Thomas Powell, Gunner's Mate Second Class, U.S. Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in action against the enemy while serving as a Gunner aboard the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. SAN FRANCISCO (CA-38), during an engagement with Japanese naval forces near Savo Island in the Solomons on the night of on November 12 and 13 1942. His grim perseverance and relentless devotion to duty in the face of certain death were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave up his own life in the defense of his country.
Submitted by Doug Bewall RMCM USN Ret.