Years of service 1939–1942 Rank Ensign | Awards Navy Cross Name William Creamer | |
Born December 1, 1916
York County, Pennsylvania ( 1916-12-01 ) Battles/wars World War II
Battle of Midway Died June 4, 1942, Pacific Ocean Battles and wars World War II, Battle of Midway | ||
Service/branch United States Navy Allegiance United States of America | ||
William W. Creamer (1916–1942) was a United States Navy officer who received the Navy Cross posthumously for his actions in combat during World War II.
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Naval career
William Wilson Creamer was born in York County, Pennsylvania, on December 1, 1916. Enlisting in the United States Naval Reserve in December 1939, he completed flight training, and was commissioned as an ensign in December 1940.
As a Douglas TBD-1 Devastator torpedo bomber pilot in Torpedo Squadron 8 operating off the aircraft carrier USS Hornet (CV-8) at the Battle of Midway, Creamer gallantly gave his life on June 4, 1942 in heroically pressing home an attack against a Japanese aircraft carrier in the face of overwhelming opposition.
For his extraordinary heroism at Midway, Creamer was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously.
Commemoration
The U.S. Navy destroyer escort USS Creamer (DE-308), launched in 1944 but never completed, was named for Ensign Creamer.