Medal of Honor: John James Powers – World War II – May 4–8, 1942

Name: John James Powers
Rank: Lieutenant
Branch: U.S. Navy
War: World War II
Unit: Bombing Squadron 5
Date of Action: May 4–8, 1942
Location: Coral Sea area, Pacific Theater

Summary of Action

Between 4 and 8 May 1942, Lieutenant John James Powers distinguished himself during the pivotal air-sea battles of the Coral Sea.

Flying a Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bomber, Powers participated in multiple strikes against Japanese naval forces during one of the first major carrier battles in history.

On 4 May, during attacks near Tulagi, he scored a direct hit that destroyed a large enemy vessel and inflicted additional damage on other ships, including an aircraft tender and a transport.

He followed these bombing runs by strafing enemy vessels at close range, pouring fire into a gunboat under intense anti-aircraft fire.

Days later, on 7 May, Powers led a section of three dive bombers in an attack against an enemy aircraft carrier.

As anti-aircraft fire filled the sky, he deliberately dove far below the standard safety altitude—choosing accuracy over survival.

His bomb struck the carrier in a vital area, triggering a massive explosion that engulfed the ship in flames and led to its destruction.

That evening, as squadron gunnery officer, Powers spoke to his fellow pilots.

He emphasized the importance of low-altitude bombing for accuracy—but made clear the deadly risks: enemy fire, low pull-out, and even the blast from their own bombs.

He understood exactly what he was asking of them.

And exactly what it might cost.

On the morning of 8 May, before launching another strike, his resolve was clear:

“Remember the folks back home are counting on us. I am going to get a hit if I have to lay it on their flight deck.”

He led his section down from 18,000 feet into a wall of anti-aircraft fire and enemy fighters.

Once again, he ignored the safety altitude.

Once again, he pressed his attack lower and lower.

He held his dive until he was certain of a direct hit.

He was last seen attempting to pull out at approximately 200 feet—amid exploding shells, fire, smoke, and debris from the stricken carrier.

He did not return.

His fearless leadership, deliberate courage, and willingness to sacrifice himself for mission success reflected the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Medal of Honor Citation

POWERS, JOHN JAMES

For distinguished and conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, while pilot of an airplane of Bombing Squadron 5, Lt. Powers participated, with his squadron, in 5 engagements with Japanese forces in the Coral Sea area and adjacent waters during the period 4 to 8 May 1942. Three attacks were made on enemy objectives at or near Tulagi on 4 May. In these attacks he scored a direct hit which instantly demolished a large enemy gunboat or destroyer and is credited with 2 close misses, 1 of which severely damaged a large aircraft tender, the other damaging a 20,000-ton transport. He fearlessly strafed a gunboat, firing all his ammunition into it amid intense antiaircraft fire. This gunboat was then observed to be leaving a heavy oil slick in its wake and later was seen beached on a nearby island. On 7 May, an attack was launched against an enemy airplane carrier and other units of the enemy’s invasion force. He fearlessly led his attack section of 3 Douglas Dauntless dive bombers, to attack the carrier. On this occasion he dived in the face of heavy antiaircraft fire, to an altitude well below the safety altitude, at the risk of his life and almost certain damage to his own plane, in order that he might positively obtain a hit in a vital part of the ship, which would insure her complete destruction. This bomb hit was noted by many pilots and observers to cause a tremendous explosion engulfing the ship in a mass of flame, smoke, and debris. The ship sank soon after. That evening, in his capacity as Squadron Gunnery Officer, Lt. Powers gave a lecture to the squadron on point-of-aim and diving technique. During this discourse he advocated low release point in order to insure greater accuracy; yet he stressed the danger not only from enemy fire and the resultant low pull-out, but from own bomb blast and bomb fragments. Thus his low-dive bombing attacks were deliberate and premeditated, since he well knew and realized the dangers of such tactics, but went far beyond the call of duty in order to further the cause which he knew to be right. The next morning, 8 May, as the pilots of the attack group left the ready room to man planes, his indomitable spirit and leadership were well expressed in his own words, “Remember the folks back home are counting on us. I am going to get a hit if I have to lay it on their flight deck.” He led his section of dive bombers down to the target from an altitude of 18,000 feet, through a wall of bursting antiaircraft shells and into the face of enemy fighter planes. Again, completely disregarding the safety altitude and without fear or concern for his safety, Lt. Powers courageously pressed home his attack, almost to the very deck of an enemy carrier and did not release his bomb until he was sure of a direct hit. He was last seen attempting recovery from his dive at the extremely low altitude of 200 feet, and amid a terrific barrage of shell and bomb fragments, smoke, flame and debris from the stricken vessel.