World War II Honoree

John Tilghman Probasco

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Plainfield, New Jersey

Honored By

Peggy Probasco Tarbell, John Probasco, Preston Probasco, Eric & Alan Tarbell

Relationship

Daughter, Sons & Grandsons

DURING THE JAPANESE ATTACK ON PEARL HARBOR ON DECEMBER 7, 1941, WAS SERVING ABOARD THE USS BOGGS (DD-136), A HIGH-SPEED MINESWEEPER (DMS-3). THE USS BOGGS AVOIDED THE ATTACK BECAUSE IT WAS PERFORMING MANEUVERS AT SEA, BUT IT RETURNED LATER IN THE DAY TO SWEEP THE ANCHORAGE FOR MINES. DURING THE WAR, SERVED AS AN EXECUTIVE OFFICER OF A SHIP AND HAD TO TAKE OVER COMMAND FROM THE CAPTAIN WHO HAD A NERVOUS BREAKDOWN. DURING THE PEAK OF THE SOUTH PACIFIC CAMPAIGN, RECEIVED A SPECIAL COMMENDATION FROM THE PRESIDENT ALONG WITH THE BRONZE STAR FOR 3 DAYS AND 3 NIGHTS OF HEROIC DUTY. SUCCESSFULLY TOOK THE DESTROYER THROUGH A NARROW NAVAL BATTLEFIELD ENCOUNTERING JAPANESE SHIPS, SUBMARINES, MINES AND ARTILLERY COMING FROM ISLANDS ON BOTH SIDES. DURING THE POST-WWII EFFORT, WAS HONORED AS THE FIRST COMMANDER OF THE USS ROBERT L. WILSON (COMMISSIONED MARCH 28, 1946).