Captain John P. Cromwell
U.S. Navy (USN) USS Sculpin SS-191
Background
 John Philip Cromwell was born September 11, 1901 in Henry, Illinois. Appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy (USNA) class of 1924 and was commissioned as an officer in the U.S. Navy (USN) with serial number O-058950. Assigned to USS Maryland (BB-46). In 1927 assigned to USS S-24 (SS-129) for two years. Next, he studied diesel engineering then returned to by further tours of duty in submarines.
Wartime History
On November 5, 1943 Captain John P. Cromwell was aboard USS Sculpin (SS-191) on her ninth war patrol to coordinate a wolf pack with USS Searaven (SS-196) and USS Apogon (SS-308).
On November 19, 1943 in the morning, as Sculpin reached a firing position, the convoy zigzagged toward her and the submarine was forced to dive. When the convoy changed course, surfaced to attempt another attack, but was discovered by the rear guard destroyer Yamagumo only 600 yards away.
Crash diving, the submarine escaped the first salvo of depth charges released by Yamagumo. A second string of depth charges knocked out her depth gauge and caused other minor damage. She evaded the destroyer in a rain squall and attempted to come to periscope depth. The damaged depth gauge stuck was stuck at 125', so the submarine broached and was again detected.
She immediately submerged but the destroyer dropped a pattern of 18 depth charges causing considerable damage, including temporary loss of depth control. As a result, Sculpin ran beyond safe depth causing many leaks in the hull. So much seawater leaked inside, it was forced to run at high speed to maintain a constant depth and was easy for the Japanese to track on sonar. The next depth charge attack disabled Sculpin’s sonar.
Commander Fred Connaway, decided to surface and give the crew a chance for survival. With her decks still awash, Sculpin’s gunners manned the deck guns but were no match for the destroyer’s main battery. A shell hit the conning tower and killed the bridge watch team, including Commander Connaway, and flying fragments killed the gun crew. The senior ship’s officer surviving ordered the submarine to be scuttled.
 Before he opened the vents, Captain John P. Cromwell decided to go down with the submarine, as he possessed vital information concerning the upcoming assault in the Gilbert Islands and was aware of ULTRA intelligence. For his actions, he earned the Medal of Honor posthumously.
Awards
Cromwell earned the Medal of Honor, posthumously. He was the most senior submariner awarded the Medal of Honor in World War II and one of the three submarine officers who received it posthumously. He also earned the Legion of Merit and Purple Heart, posthumously.
Posthumous Medal of Honor Citation (November 19, 1943)
 Citation: "For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as Commander of a Submarine Coordinated Attack Group with Flag in the USS Sculpin, during the 9th War Patrol of that vessel in enemy-controlled waters off Truk Island, 19 November 1943. Undertaking this patrol prior to the launching of our first large-scale offensive in the Pacific, Capt. Cromwell, alone of the entire Task Group, possessed secret intelligence information of our submarine strategy and tactics, scheduled Fleet movements and specific attack plans. Constantly vigilant and precise in carrying out his secret orders, he moved his underseas flotilla inexorably forward despite savage opposition and established a line of submarines to southeastward of the main Japanese stronghold at Truk. Cool and undaunted as the submarine, rocked and battered by Japanese depth charges, sustained terrific battle damage and sank to an excessive depth, he authorized the Sculpin to surface and engage the enemy in a gunfight, thereby providing an opportunity for the crew to abandon ship. Determined to sacrifice himself rather than risk capture and subsequent danger of revealing plans under Japanese torture or use of drugs, he stoically remained aboard the mortally wounded vessel as she plunged to her death. Preserving the security of his mission, at the cost of his own life, he had served his country as he had served the Navy, with deep integrity and an uncompromising devotion to duty. His great moral courage in the face of certain death adds new luster to the traditions of the U.S. Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country." |
Memorials
Cromwell is memorialized at National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific (Punchbowl) on the courts of the missing, court 5. He also has a memoiral Henry Cemetery in Henry, IL.
References
Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - John Philip Cromwell
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) John Philip Cromwell
FindAGrave - Capt John Philip Cromwell (photo, memorial marker photo)
FindAGrave - John Philip Cromwell (photo, memorial marker photo)
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