John Andrew Pearson (naval officer)
Encyclopedia
Lieutenant Commander John Andrew Pearson, RNR, DSC and bar was an officer in the Royal Navy
during the Second World War
.
Pearson ("Iain") was an officer in the Royal Naval Reserve
. His wartime service began with coastal minesweeping forces at in Dover
, then as captain of the Bangor-class
minesweeper
HMS Rye
, and finally as captain of the Algerine-class
minesweeper HMS Welfare. He ended the war with the rank of Lieutenant-Commander.
in the New Year Honours on 1 January 1940 for minesweeping service at HMS Lynx.
He was awarded a Bar to his DSC on 10 November 1942 for his service during Operation Pedestal
in command of HMS Rye, which included the rescue of the American oil tanker SS Ohio
.
He was awarded a Mention in Dispatches (MID)
in the King's Birthday Honours on 2 June 1943, and he was awarded a second MID 23 November 1943 for Rye 's defence of convoys against air attack.
Person was awarded a third MID on 27 March 1945 for services during Operation Dragoon
as commander of HMS Welfare. He was awarded a fourth MID on 14 August 1945 for services with Welfare during the relief of Greece.
Royal Navy
The Royal Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the British Armed Forces. Founded in the 16th century, it is the oldest service branch and is known as the Senior Service...
during the Second World War
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
Pearson ("Iain") was an officer in the Royal Naval Reserve
Royal Naval Reserve
The Royal Naval Reserve is the volunteer reserve force of the Royal Navy in the United Kingdom. The present Royal Naval Reserve was formed in 1958 by merging the original Royal Naval Reserve and the Royal Naval Volunteer Reserve , a reserve of civilian volunteers founded in 1903...
. His wartime service began with coastal minesweeping forces at in Dover
Dover
Dover is a town and major ferry port in the home county of Kent, in South East England. It faces France across the narrowest part of the English Channel, and lies south-east of Canterbury; east of Kent's administrative capital Maidstone; and north-east along the coastline from Dungeness and Hastings...
, then as captain of the Bangor-class
Bangor class minesweeper
The Bangor-class minesweepers were a class of minesweepers operated by the Royal Navy , Royal Canadian Navy and Royal Indian Navy during World War II....
minesweeper
Minesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
HMS Rye
HMS Rye (J76)
HMS Rye was a Bangor class minesweeper that saw service in the Royal Navy during the Second World War. She was built by Ailsa Shipbuilding Co. Ltd. in Troon, Scotland and commissioned in 1941. Her pennant number was J 76....
, and finally as captain of the Algerine-class
Algerine class minesweeper
The Algerine-class was a class of minesweepers of the Royal Navy and the Commonwealth. 110 ships of the class were launched between 1942 and 1944 and served in World War II....
minesweeper HMS Welfare. He ended the war with the rank of Lieutenant-Commander.
Decorations
Pearson was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)Distinguished Service Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the third level military decoration awarded to officers, and other ranks, of the British Armed Forces, Royal Fleet Auxiliary and British Merchant Navy and formerly also to officers of other Commonwealth countries.The DSC, which may be awarded posthumously, is...
in the New Year Honours on 1 January 1940 for minesweeping service at HMS Lynx.
He was awarded a Bar to his DSC on 10 November 1942 for his service during Operation Pedestal
Operation Pedestal
Operation Pedestal was a British operation to get desperately needed supplies to the island of Malta in August 1942, during the Second World War. Malta was the base from which surface ships, submarines and aircraft attacked Axis convoys carrying essential supplies to the Italian and German armies...
in command of HMS Rye, which included the rescue of the American oil tanker SS Ohio
SS Ohio
The SS Ohio was an oil tanker built for the Texas Oil Company ; she was the largest oil tanker in the world when she was built. The tanker was launched on April 20, 1940 at the Sun Shipbuilding Yard in Chester, Pennsylvania, USA. SS Ohio was capable of doing over at sea...
.
He was awarded a Mention in Dispatches (MID)
Mentioned in Dispatches
A soldier Mentioned in Despatches is one whose name appears in an official report written by a superior officer and sent to the high command, in which is described the soldier's gallant or meritorious action in the face of the enemy.In a number of countries, a soldier's name must be mentioned in...
in the King's Birthday Honours on 2 June 1943, and he was awarded a second MID 23 November 1943 for Rye 's defence of convoys against air attack.
Person was awarded a third MID on 27 March 1945 for services during Operation Dragoon
Operation Dragoon
Operation Dragoon was the Allied invasion of southern France on August 15, 1944, during World War II. The invasion was initiated via a parachute drop by the 1st Airborne Task Force, followed by an amphibious assault by elements of the U.S. Seventh Army, followed a day later by a force made up...
as commander of HMS Welfare. He was awarded a fourth MID on 14 August 1945 for services with Welfare during the relief of Greece.