Harry Brinkley Bass Harry Brinkley " Brink " Bass ( July 4 , 1916 – August 20 , 1944 ) was a U . S . Navy pilot who was twice awarded the Navy Cross for his heroic actions in the Pacific theater during World War II . Bass died over Vanosc , in southern France when his plane was shot down by anti - aircraft fire . was named in his honor . Personal information . Bass was born in Chicago , Illinois , but the family later moved to Beaumont , Texas . He was raised a Presbyterian . He attended Averill Elementary School and Beaumont High School , graduating on June 2 , 1932 . He served on the Student Council , Faculty Advisory Council , high school paper , and yearbook . He first attended South Park College , now Lamar University , for one year and then the West Point - Annapolis Coaching School , in Columbia , Missouri for the 1933 - 1934 school year . He then entered the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis , Maryland , on June 11 , 1934 , having secured an appointment through his guardian uncle ' s Arkansas representative since the Texas appointments were taken . Earning several awards while there , he graduated on June 2 , 1938 . He never married . Bass became an Eagle Scout in 1930 ( some sources report as age 12 ) in Beaumont ' s Troop 6 under Scoutmaster Harry P . Jirou . He attended the 3rd World Scout Jamboree in Birkenhead , England as the youngest of the 13 Scouts making the trip from Beaumont . He also visited Paris and New York City during this trip . Bass received some notoriety for remarks he made that appeared in the " Saturday Evening Post " about the Prince of Wales , later Edward VIII , wearing a " sloppy " Scout uniform . The Clifton Steamboat Museum in Beaumont , Texas has a large gallery celebrating his life and accomplishments . Military service . Following graduation from the Naval Academy and commissioning as an Ensign , Bass was first assigned to the cruiser USS New Orleans ( CA - 32 ) from 1938 - 1939 . He then served on the destroyer USS Farragut ( DD - 348 ) from 1939 - 1940 . He was then assigned to flight training and designated a naval aviator on February 18 , 1941 and assigned to bombing squadron VB - 2 on board the USS " Lexington " , flying an SBD Dauntless . He was soon fighting in World War II in the Pacific . One of the battles he took part in was the Battle of the Coral Sea . He was awarded both of his Navy Cross es during his time on board the " Lexington " — one for sinking an enemy ship and one for helping sink a carrier . Bass survived the later sinking of the " Lexington . " In July 1942 Bass was reassigned as a fighter pilot and was assigned to VF - 29 , of which he eventually became commander , on board USS " Santee " . The " Santee " was in the Atlantic Ocean when Bass arrived , but eventually was sent to the Pacific theater of operations . He transferred from the " Santee " and VF - 29 in April 1944 . Bass was awarded his Silver Star and Air Medal during his time on board the USS " Santee . " He then transferred to USS " Kasaan Bay " as commander of VF - 74 . During this time he participated in the operations in North Africa . Bass died when his F6F Hellcat fighter plane was shot down by German anti - aircraft fire over Southern France on August 20 , 1944 near Vanosc , France . Bass was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Purple Heart posthumously . He was initially buried by French civilians in a church cemetery at St . Bonnet Le Froid , Vanosc , France , but in September 1948 his remains were moved to Roselawn Memorial Park , located in Little Rock , Arkansas . The USS " Brinkley Bass " ( DD - 887 ) was named in his honor . This ship was laid down on December 20 , 1944 at Orange , Texas , by the Consolidated Steel Corporation ; launched on May 26 , 1945 ; sponsored by Mrs . Verna Maulding Bass ( his mother ) ; and commissioned on October 1 , 1945 , with Cmdr . Philip W . Winston in command . Navy Cross citations . First award , March 10 , 1942 . The Navy Cross is presented to Harry Brinkley Bass , Lieutenant ( j . g . ) , U . S . Navy , for distinguished service in the line of his profession as a pilot of a Scouting Squadron , when , on March 10 , 1942 , in enemy waters , he pressed home , in the face of heavy anti - aircraft fire , a vigorous and determined dive bombing attack on enemy ships , sinking one of them . His outstanding courage and determined skill were at all times inspiring and in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service . Second award , May 7 , 1942 . The Navy Cross is presented to Harry Brinkley Bass , Lieutenant ( j . g . ) , U . S . Navy , for extraordinary heroism and conspicuous devotion to duty as pilot of a dive bomber in action against Japanese forces in the Coral Sea on May 7 , 1942 . In the face of heavy anti - aircraft fire and fierce fighter opposition , he dived his plane at an enemy Japanese aircraft carrier and released his bomb with calm and accuracy . By grim determination and expert appraisal of his objective , he contributed materially to the high percentage of hits inflicted by his particular squadron and assisted in ultimate destruction of the enemy carrier . His individual action was an important factor in the collective success of those United States Naval forces which engaged in the enemy in the Battle of the Coral Sea .