Joseph Bangust 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 . 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 boats , 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 . Fighter Action over the East Indies . Six PBYs departed their advance base at Ambon 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 . 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 0 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 Cross , posthumously . Namesake . USS Bangust ( DE - 739 ) 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 .