World War II Honoree

John Walter Wilcox, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Chevy Chase, Maryland

Honored By

A Grateful Nation

REAR ADMIRAL. COMMANDER, BATTLESHIPS, ATLANTIC FLEET AND COMMANDER OF TASK FORCE 39. HE WAS ABOARD HIS FLAGSHIP, THE USS WASHINGTON TF-39 WAS TEMPORARILY DETACHED FROM THE ATLANTIC FLEET AND DEPARTED FOR SCAPA FLOW, SCOTLAND TO REPORT TO THE COMMANDER, U.S. NAVAL FORCES IN EUROPE AND TO SERVE UNDER OPERATIONAL CONTROL OF THE BRITISH HOME FLEET. ON MARCH 27, 1942, UNDER MODERATELY HEAVY SEAS HE WAS WITNESSED OVERBOARD AND TREADING WATER. AN IMMEDIATE SEARCH AND RESCUE FAILED TO FIND HIM. SUBSEQUENTLY, A NAVAL BOARD OF INQUIRY OFFICIALLY JUDGED HIM TO HAVE BEEN ON DUTY AND ASSIGNED BY PROPER AUTHORITY AND THAT HE DIED IN THE LINE OF DUTY, IN HONORABLE SERVICE TO HIS COUNTRY. HE IS MEMORIALIZED AT THE EAST COAST MEMORIAL, NEW YORK, NEW YORK.