Name John Eversole Rank Lieutenant (junior grade) | ||
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Born April 17, 1915Pocatello, Idaho ( 1915-04-17 ) Awards Navy Cross (posthumous) Education | ||
Service/branch United States Navy Allegiance United States of America | ||
John Thomas Eversole, born 17 April 1915 in Pocatello, Idaho, graduated from the United States Naval Academy in 1938, and after duty at sea received aviation training. On 7 May 1941, Eversole joined Torpedo Squadron 6 (VT-6) in USS Enterprise (CV-6), and with many others of his squadron, gave his life for his country in the opening phases of the Battle of Midway 4 June 1942, in an attack on Japanese carriers made through heavy opposition. Lieutenant (junior grade) Eversole's determination in this action was posthumously recognized with the award of the Navy Cross.
Namesake
The destroyer escort USS Eversole (DE-404) was the first ship named in his honor. She was sunk during The Battle of Leyte Gulf on March 21, 1944. In 1946 a second ship, the destroyer USS Eversole (DD-789) was named in his honor.