Rank and Name, Commander James Kent Averill.
Unit/Placed in, Chief of Staff for Carrier Division 11
TBF#13, piloted by Lt(jg) Rubner was launched to transport Commander J. K. Averill, USN., Chief of Staff, Comcardiv 11, to the U.S.S. LEXINGTON. This plane crashed on take-off from the U.S.S. LEXINGTON and Commander Averill was killed in the crash or failed to get clear of the plane and drowned. The pilot and radioman were recovered by a destroyer and later returned to this ship.
James is born approx. on 1904 in New York.
Parents and Siblings, No Record Available.
Spouse, Margaret S. Averill.
James enlisted the service in New York with service number # 0-061326.
James was died when the plane he was on crashed after takeoff on the USS Lexington on 26 March 1944, he is honored with a Legion of Merit, Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal, Expeditionary Medal, American Campaign Medal, Navy & Marine Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, WW II Victory Medal.
James is buried/mentioned at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila, Metro Manila, National Capital Region, Philippines.
Walls of the missing.
Thanks to,
Jean Louis Vijgen, WW2-Pacific Website.
Air Force Info, Rolland Swank.
ABMC Website, https://abmc.gov
Seabees History Bob Smith https://seabeehf.org/
Navy Info, http://navylog.navymemorial.org
POW Info, http://www.mansell.com Dwight Rider and Wes injerd.
Navy Seal Memorial, http://www.navysealmemorials.com
Family Info, https://www.familysearch.org
Marines Info, https://missingmarines.com/ Geoffrey Roecker
Info, https://www.pacificwrecks.com/
Medals Info, https://www.honorstates.org
Website,
Philippine Info, http://www.philippine-scouts.org/
Find a Grave, https://www.findagrave.com
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Legion of Merit with Combat “V” (Posthumously) to Commander James Kent Averill (NSN: 0-61326), United States Navy, for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Aide, Chief of Staff and Operations Officer attached to the Staff of the Commander, Carrier Division ELEVEN, embarked in the U.S.S. SARATOGA and the U.S.S. YORKTOWN, during combat operations against Japanese forces in the Pacific War Area, from 29 January 1944 to 26 March 1944. Without regard for the tempo of operations and long hours involved, Commander Averill rendered invaluable assistance to his commanding officer in the planning and execution of extended operations against the Japanese, including support of the landing on and subsequent capture of the Marshall Islands, and in the planning for the first carrier strikes against the Western Caroline Islands. A brilliant administrator, Commander Averill, by his aggressive leadership and professional skill, contributed essentially to the success of these vital operations. His zealous efforts and gallant conduct consistently characterized his performance of duty, which was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. (Commander Averill is authorized to wear the Combat “V”.)
