John Michael Bermingham

John Michael Bermingham was born in New York City on July 5, 1905 and graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1929.

Naval career
During the 1930s, Bermingham served in many ships, including the battleships USS Wyoming, USS Utah, and the cruiser USS Augusta, as well as various shore stations.

World War II
In 1940, Bermingham was appointed executive officer of destroyer USS Stewart. At the outbreak of war with Japan, on December 7, 1941, Bermingham was on his way home for leave. During the first Japanese attack on Cavite, December 10, the four-piper destroyer USS Peary's commanding officer, H.H. Keith, was wounded. Bermingham took command on December 11, 1941.

The ship was assigned to offshore patrol and came under heavy air attack many times in the following days. Only brilliant seamanship during bombing and torpedo attacks 26 and December 27 saved her from destruction.

Despite Japanese air superiority, Bermingham succeeded in bringing his ship to Darwin, Australia, to operate with ABDACOM naval forces attempting to hold the "Malay Barrier". Peary operated with the cruiser USS Houston in early February.

In mid-February, Peary was part of an unsuccessful attempt to resupply Allied forces under attack on Timor. She was anchored at Darwin when the Japanese attacked in a massive bombing raid on February 19, 1942. Bermingham got his ship underway and attempted to maneuver in the restricted waters; but, despite valiant antiaircraft fire, his ship was hit with five bombs. Bermingham and about 80 of his crew went down with the ship. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for his courage and leadership while commanding Peary during this crucial early period of the war.