Lieutenant John Duncan Bulkeley, a sailor in the U.S. Navy, received the Medal of Honor for gallantry on December 7, 1941 in Philippine Waters, Philippine Islands during World War II. At the time he was serving with Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3. Bulkeley was 30 years old.
16 other service members also received the Medal of Honor for actions on the same day. The medal was presented on August 4, 1942 — the White House, presented by Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt. He later rose to the rank of Vice Admiral.
Bulkeley was born on August 19, 1911 in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas. His Medal of Honor is credited to Texas. Bulkeley died on April 6, 1996 in Silver Springs, Maryland, at the age of 84. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Bulkeley is one of 474 Medal of Honor recipients from World War II and one of 78 credited to Texas.
Official Medal of Honor citation
For extraordinary heroism, distinguished service, and conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty as commander of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3, in Philippine waters during the period from 7 December 1941 to 10 April 1942. The remarkable achievement of Lt. Comdr. Bulkeley's command in damaging or destroying a notable number of Japanese enemy planes, surface combatant and merchant ships, and in dispersing landing parties and land-based enemy forces during the four months and eight days of operation without benefit of repairs, overhaul, or maintenance facilities for his squadron, is believed to be without precedence in this type of warfare. His dynamic forcefulness and daring in offensive action, his brilliantly planned and skillfully executed attacks, supplemented by a unique resourcefullness and ingenuity, characterize him as an outstanding leader of men and a gallant and intrepid seaman. These qualities coupled with a complete disregard for his own personal safety reflect great credit upon him and the Naval Service.
Citation text: U.S. Government, public domain.
Other decorations and honors
Besides the Medal of Honor, John Duncan Bulkeley received:
Source: Wikidata. Gold chips link to our guide to that decoration.
Battles and campaigns
Also served in: World War II.
Life beyond the battlefield
- Education: Hackettstown High School, United States Naval Academy
Source: Wikidata.
Places
Timeline
- August 19, 1911Born in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas
- December 7, 1941Act of valor — Philippine Waters, Philippine IslandsAge 30. Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3
- August 4, 1942Medal of Honor presentedThe White House, presented by Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt
- April 6, 1996Died in Silver Springs, MarylandAge 84.
- Resting placeArlington National CemeteryArlington, Virginia
Biography
John Duncan Bulkeley (19 August 1911 – 6 April 1996) was a vice admiral in the United States Navy and was one of its most decorated officers. Bulkeley received the Medal of Honor for actions in the Pacific Theater during World War II. He was also the PT boat skipper who evacuated General Douglas MacArthur from Corregidor in the Philippines and commanded at the Battle of La Ciotat. Bulkeley's PT-boat heroics in defending the Philippines from Japanese invasion in 1941-1942 were the subject of the 1942 novel "They Were Expendable" by William Lindsay White.
From the Wikipedia article “John D. Bulkeley”, licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read the full article →
