Joseph Bangust
Encyclopedia
Joseph Bangust, born in Niles, Ohio
, on May 30, 1915, enlisted in the United States Navy
on November 16, 1938 at the Naval Training Station, San Diego, California
.
, and in December 1939 received promotion to seaman 1st class.
Within the next year, he was promoted twice: to aviation machinist’s mate 3d class (May 1940) and aviation machinist's mate 2d class (February 1941). The commencement of hostilities between the United States
and Japan
in December 1941 found Bangust assigned to VP-101, as VP-21 had been redesignated.
in the Netherlands East Indies at 2300 on December 26, 1941 to attack Japanese shipping reported in Jolo
harbor in the Sulu Archipelago
. Bangust flew as second mechanic and gunner in the Catalina flown by Ensign Elwyn L. Christman, USNR
.
fighters appeared to intercept the attackers. Bangust teamed up with Aviation Machinist’s Mate lst Class Andrew K. Waterman, the other gunner and the plane's first mechanic, in downing the first Zero.
That one attacker having been dealt with, Christman released his bombs in a 60 degree dive, pulled out, and then headed west along the Sulu Archipelago. One fighter followed, attacking the plane’s port side persistently, but Christman sought to foil the attacker by turning into him, forcing him to break off his runs. A deadly duel ensued as the planes headed west; unfortunately, a projectile from one of the Zero’s cannon holed the fuel tank, sending a stream of gasoline into the mechanic’s compartment. On his next run, the Zero managed to ignite the volatile fuel.
, posthumously.
was named in his honor. The ship was laid down on February 11, 1943 at Los Angeles, California
, by the Western Pipe and Steel Co.; launched on June 6, 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Stephen W. Gerber; and commissioned at her builder's yard on October 30, 1943.
Niles, Ohio
Niles is a city in Trumbull County, Ohio, United States. The city's population was 20,932 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Youngstown-Warren-Boardman, OH-PA Metropolitan Statistical Area....
, on May 30, 1915, enlisted in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
on November 16, 1938 at the Naval Training Station, San Diego, California
San Diego, California
San Diego is the eighth-largest city in the United States and second-largest city in California. The city is located on the coast of the Pacific Ocean in Southern California, immediately adjacent to the Mexican border. The birthplace of California, San Diego is known for its mild year-round...
.
Navy career
Promoted to seaman 2d class on December 16, 1938, he was transferred to Patrol Wing (PatWing) 2 in June 1939, and, within the wing, to Patrol Squadron (VP) 21 the following July. He accompanied the squadron as it deployed to the Philippine Islands with its Consolidated PBY Catalina flying boatsPBY Catalina
The Consolidated PBY Catalina was an American flying boat of the 1930s and 1940s produced by Consolidated Aircraft. It was one of the most widely used multi-role aircraft of World War II. PBYs served with every branch of the United States Armed Forces and in the air forces and navies of many other...
, and in December 1939 received promotion to seaman 1st class.
Within the next year, he was promoted twice: to aviation machinist’s mate 3d class (May 1940) and aviation machinist's mate 2d class (February 1941). The commencement of hostilities between the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
and Japan
Empire of Japan
The Empire of Japan is the name of the state of Japan that existed from the Meiji Restoration on 3 January 1868 to the enactment of the post-World War II Constitution of...
in December 1941 found Bangust assigned to VP-101, as VP-21 had been redesignated.
Fighter Action over the East Indies
Six PBYs departed their advance base at AmbonAmbon Island
Ambon Island is part of the Maluku Islands of Indonesia. The island has an area of , and is mountainous, well watered, and fertile. Ambon Island consists of 2 territories: The main city and seaport is Ambon , which is also the capital of Maluku province and Maluku Tengah Ambon Island is part of the...
in the Netherlands East Indies at 2300 on December 26, 1941 to attack Japanese shipping reported in Jolo
Jolo
Jolo may refer to:* Jolo Island* Jolo, Sulu* Jolo, West Virginia* Jolo is also the nickname of Swedish author Jan Olof Olsson....
harbor in the Sulu Archipelago
Sulu Archipelago
The Sulu Archipelago is a chain of islands in the southwestern Philippines. This archipelago is considered to be part of the Moroland by the local rebel independence movement. This island group forms the northern limit of the Celebes Sea....
. Bangust flew as second mechanic and gunner in the Catalina flown by Ensign Elwyn L. Christman, USNR
United States Navy Reserve
The United States Navy Reserve, until 2005 known as the United States Naval Reserve, is the Reserve Component of the United States Navy...
.
Downing One Zero
“Very accurate” antiaircraft fire from shore emplacements greeted the PBYs as they arrived over the harbor, but it ceased when a group of Mitsubishi A6M2 Type 0A6M Zero
The Mitsubishi A6M Zero was a long-range fighter aircraft operated by the Imperial Japanese Navy Air Service from 1940 to 1945. The A6M was designated as the , and also designated as the Mitsubishi A6M Rei-sen and Mitsubishi Navy 12-shi Carrier Fighter. The A6M was usually referred to by the...
fighters appeared to intercept the attackers. Bangust teamed up with Aviation Machinist’s Mate lst Class Andrew K. Waterman, the other gunner and the plane's first mechanic, in downing the first Zero.
That one attacker having been dealt with, Christman released his bombs in a 60 degree dive, pulled out, and then headed west along the Sulu Archipelago. One fighter followed, attacking the plane’s port side persistently, but Christman sought to foil the attacker by turning into him, forcing him to break off his runs. A deadly duel ensued as the planes headed west; unfortunately, a projectile from one of the Zero’s cannon holed the fuel tank, sending a stream of gasoline into the mechanic’s compartment. On his next run, the Zero managed to ignite the volatile fuel.
Awarded the Navy Cross
Blinded, and having suffered third-degree burns on his face, hands and neck, Bangust joined Radioman 2d Class P. H. Landers, the second radioman, in bailing out of the burning flying boat. Meanwhile, Ensign Christman rode the plane in and landed on the water. Landers, less injured than Bangust, guided the latter’s swimming efforts as they struck out for the island of Lugos. About noon on December 27, Landers glanced behind at his injured shipmate but saw only an empty life jacket--Bangust had apparently slipped from it and drowned. For his “courage and successful machine gunnery” and his “extraordinary heroism” during the action over Jolo, Bangust was awarded the Navy CrossNavy Cross
The Navy Cross is the highest decoration that may be bestowed by the Department of the Navy and the second highest decoration given for valor. It is normally only awarded to members of the United States Navy, United States Marine Corps and United States Coast Guard, but can be awarded to all...
, posthumously.
Namesake
USS Bangust (DE-739)USS Bangust (DE-739)
USS Bangust was a built for the United States Navy during World War II. She served in the Atlantic Ocean and Pacific Ocean and provided escort service against submarine and air attack for Navy vessels and convoys. She returned to the States at war's end with a near-record setting number of...
was named in his honor. The ship was laid down on February 11, 1943 at Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, by the Western Pipe and Steel Co.; launched on June 6, 1943; sponsored by Mrs. Stephen W. Gerber; and commissioned at her builder's yard on October 30, 1943.