AVIATION MACHINIST'S MATE, SECOND CLASS

JOSEPH BANGUST, U. S. NAVY

 

Aviation Machinist's Mate Second Class Joseph Bangust, was born May 30, 1915, at Niles, Ohio, and died December 27, 1941, as a result of wounds and injuries received in a bombing attack against Japanese War and Merchant vessels in Jolo Harbor, P. I.

Aviation Machinist's Mate Bangust enlisted in the U. S. Navy as Apprentice, Seaman on November 16, 1988, at the Naval Training Station San Diego, California. He was promoted as Seaman Second Class on December 16, 1988, and was transferred to Patrol Wing Two in June, 1989, then to the VP Squadron Naval Hospital, Canacao, P. I. In December, 1939, he was promoted to Seaman First Class. In May, 1940, he rated Aviation Machinist's Mate Third Class, and on Feb­ruary 18, 1941, his rating was changed to Aviation Machinist's Mate Second Class.

The Secretary of the Navy awarded the Navy Cross to Joseph Bangust, Aviation Machinist's Mate Second Class, U. S. N., for extraordinary heroism while acting as waist gunner of a PBY type airplane which participated in a bombing attack against Japanese War and Merchant vessels in Jolo Harbor, P. I., on December 27, 1941.

The following is a citation for service which accompanied the posthumous presentation of the NAVY CROSS:

 "For extraordinary heroism while acting as waist gunner of a PBY type airplane which participated in a bombing attack against Japanese war and merchant vessels in Jolo Harbor, P. I. on December 27, 194L Bangust's courage and successful machine gunnery resulted in the shooting down of a Japanese fighting plane. During the action Bangust received wounds and injuries which resulted in his death."

The USS Bangust was constructed by the Western Pipe and Steel Company of San Pedro, California; was launched on 6 June 1943; and, was sponsored by Mrs. Stephen W. Gerber.

 

Lt .Commander C.F. MacNish, USNR . . . .  Commanding Officer

Lieutenant L.L. Keesling, USNR . . . . .  . . . . Executive Officer

Lieutenant (jg) W.R. Berger, USNR . . . .  . .  Engineer Officer

Lieutenant (jg) F.A. Lind, Jr., USNR . . . . . .  Torpedo Officer

Lieutenant (jg) C.T. Yerxa, USNR . . . .  . . . .Communication Officer

Lieutenant (jg) J.P. Dolman, USNR . . . .  . . . Gunnery Officer

Lieutenant (jg) R.A. Zuercher, USNR . . .  . .  A. S. W. Officer

Ensign W.S. Pascoe, USNR . . . . . . . .  . . . .  Commissary and Stores

Ensign L. Andrews,  USNR . . . . . . . . .  . . . . First Lieutenant

Ensign Roy Coniam, USN . . . . . . . . .  . . . . . Assistant Engineer