Navy Cross
Lieutenant Commander Philip Armstrong
Lieutenant Commander Armstrong was on the bridge when the first strafing attack occurred. A large fire erupted in the vicinity of two 55 gallon gasoline drums stored near the bridge and there was a grave danger that the drums might explode and cause a wide-spread uncontrollable conflagration. Without hesitation and with complete disregard for his own personal safety, he fearlessly exposed himself to overwhelmingly accurate rocket and machine gun fire while proceeding to jettison the gasoline drums and organize a party of men to extinguish the blazing lifeboats. At this time he received multiple injuries which proved to be fatal . . . . "
Memorials:
Details
LCDR Philip McCutcheon Armstrong, Jr., USN, 569825/1100
Born 4 July 1929, Detroit, Michigan
Active duty since 5 June 1953
US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Class of 1953
Wife: Marie Kearney "Weetie" Armstrong, Virginia Beach, VA
Father: Philip M.C. Armstrong, Detroit, Michigan
Mortally wounded near the bridge attempting to extinguish large fire
Died about 4 hours later in battle dressing station
Received Navy Cross for heroism during battle
Buried: Arlington National Cemetery grave 2096X, Section 3
His wife died in 1988 of cancer.
Remembrance: Memorial display: Hall of Heroes, US Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland
Memorial display: Military and Space Museum,
Frankenmuth, Michigan, dedicated November, 1990, contains
his Navy Cross, uniform, story of attack, copy of Ennes' book.
