Medal of Honor: John Philip Cromwell – World War II – November 19, 1943

Name: John Philip Cromwell
Rank: Captain
Organization: U.S. Navy
Unit: Commander, Submarine Coordinated Attack Group; embarked aboard USS Sculpin (SS-191)
Place and Date: Off Truk Island – 19 November 1943
Entered Service At: Illinois
Born: September 11, 1901 – Henry, Illinois
Departed: Killed in Action – November 19, 1943
Accredited to: Illinois
Other Awards: Legion of Merit

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Summary of Action

In the fall of 1943, as the United States prepared its first major offensive across the Central Pacific, Captain John Philip Cromwell carried secrets no one else in his attack group possessed — the Pacific Fleet’s submarine strategy, operational schedules, and attack plans. He embarked aboard the submarine USS Sculpin as the senior officer in charge of a coordinated undersea wolfpack sent to screen Japanese strongholds near Truk.

The patrol quickly turned desperate. Depth charges rained down with brutal accuracy. Sculpin was racked, shaken, and forced below safe limits. With systems failing and the hull buckling, Cromwell remained calm and unwavering as the submarine fought for survival.

When Sculpin could no longer evade, he authorized the boat to surface and fight, knowing it was the only way to give the crew a chance to abandon ship. Japanese shells tore into the sub as sailors leapt into the sea. Cromwell knew he could not go with them. If captured, he would be tortured or drugged — and the intelligence he carried could doom the upcoming American offensive.

So he made his decision. He stayed aboard the dying submarine.

As Sculpin slipped beneath the waves for the last time, Captain Cromwell remained at his post — choosing certain death to protect the lives of thousands of American sailors and Marines yet to fight.

His sacrifice was not only heroic — it helped safeguard Operation GALVANIC and the entire Central Pacific campaign.

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Medal of Honor Citation

Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Navy.

Appointed from: Illinois.

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 U.S.S. 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.