John H. Stickell
Encyclopedia
John H. Stickell was a pilot in the Royal Canadian Air Force
and an aviator
in the United States Navy
during World War II
.
, Illinois
, on July 31, 1913. He attended Bradley Polytechnic Institute for nearly two years before joining the Royal Canadian Air Force. Before America's entry into World War II, he served with the Path Finding Force in England and received both the British
Distinguished Flying Cross
and the Distinguished Service Order
for his outstanding service in heavy bomber missions over Germany
.
He accepted an appointment as lieutenant
in the United States Naval Reserve, to date from March 29, 1943, and reported to Naval Forces, Europe, for active duty and transportation to the United States. Lt. Stickell was attached to the Bureau of Aeronautics
from early April until late May, and then assigned to the Naval Air Training Center at Corpus Christi, Tex.
, for indoctrination in naval aircraft. He completed training on August 5 and, on the 19th, he reported to the Pacific Fleet Air Wing for duty. He was assigned to Bombing Squadron 108 (VB-108), based in the Ellice Islands.
During his combat service, Lt. Stickell conducted search and reconnaissance missions during the Gilberts-Marshalls campaign. His skill and ability contributed to the destruction of three enemy planes, the sinking of an enemy boat and possibly of a cargo vessel. For the two actions in which these events occurred, Lt. Stickell was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
and the Air Medal
.
Lt. Stickell volunteered for a hazardous, two-plane bombing strike on December 13, 1943 against an underground oil storage tank located on Jabor at Jaluit Atoll in the Marshall Islands
. Seriously wounded by antiaircraft fire during the tree-top level approach, Lt. Stickell ignored his wounds and singlemindedly pursued his mission. His plane scored a direct hit on the target; but upon commencing the return flight, he was forced to relinquish the control of the plane to his copilot. Preferring to risk his own life and suffer pain rather than risk the safety of his crew and plane, Lt. Stickell ordered his co-pilot to pass up the dangerously narrow airstrip at Tarawa
and head for a safer field over 400 miles away. Lt. Stickell died of his wounds six days later. For his gallantry and selfless sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
.
USS Stickell
(DD-888) was named in his honor.
Royal Canadian Air Force
The history of the Royal Canadian Air Force begins in 1920, when the air force was created as the Canadian Air Force . In 1924 the CAF was renamed the Royal Canadian Air Force and granted royal sanction by King George V. The RCAF existed as an independent service until 1968...
and an aviator
Aviator
An aviator is a person who flies an aircraft. The first recorded use of the term was in 1887, as a variation of 'aviation', from the Latin avis , coined in 1863 by G. de la Landelle in Aviation Ou Navigation Aérienne...
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...
during World War II
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...
.
Biography
Stickell was born in GilsonGilson, Illinois
Gilson is an unincorporated census-designated place in Knox County, Illinois, and is located southeast of Galesburg. As of the 2010 Census, its population was 190. It is part of the Galesburg Micropolitan Statistical Area. Gilson is located just east of Illinois Route 97 along Knox County Highway 12...
, Illinois
Illinois
Illinois is the fifth-most populous state of the United States of America, and is often noted for being a microcosm of the entire country. With Chicago in the northeast, small industrial cities and great agricultural productivity in central and northern Illinois, and natural resources like coal,...
, on July 31, 1913. He attended Bradley Polytechnic Institute for nearly two years before joining the Royal Canadian Air Force. Before America's entry into World War II, he served with the Path Finding Force in England and received both the British
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United Kingdom)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a military decoration awarded to personnel of the United Kingdom's Royal Air Force and other services, and formerly to officers of other Commonwealth countries, for "an act or acts of valour, courage or devotion to duty whilst flying in active operations against...
and the Distinguished Service Order
Distinguished Service Order
The Distinguished Service Order is a military decoration of the United Kingdom, and formerly of other parts of the British Commonwealth and Empire, awarded for meritorious or distinguished service by officers of the armed forces during wartime, typically in actual combat.Instituted on 6 September...
for his outstanding service in heavy bomber missions over Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
.
He accepted an appointment as lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
in the United States Naval Reserve, to date from March 29, 1943, and reported to Naval Forces, Europe, for active duty and transportation to the United States. Lt. Stickell was attached to the Bureau of Aeronautics
Bureau of Aeronautics
The Bureau of Aeronautics was the U.S. Navy's material-support organization for Naval Aviation from 1921 to 1959. The bureau had "cognizance" for the design, procurement, and support of Naval aircraft and related systems...
from early April until late May, and then assigned to the Naval Air Training Center at Corpus Christi, Tex.
Naval Air Station Corpus Christi
Naval Air Station Corpus Christi , also known as Truax Field, is a naval base located six miles southeast of the central business district of Corpus Christi, in Nueces County, Texas, USA.-History:...
, for indoctrination in naval aircraft. He completed training on August 5 and, on the 19th, he reported to the Pacific Fleet Air Wing for duty. He was assigned to Bombing Squadron 108 (VB-108), based in the Ellice Islands.
During his combat service, Lt. Stickell conducted search and reconnaissance missions during the Gilberts-Marshalls campaign. His skill and ability contributed to the destruction of three enemy planes, the sinking of an enemy boat and possibly of a cargo vessel. For the two actions in which these events occurred, Lt. Stickell was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
and the Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
.
Lt. Stickell volunteered for a hazardous, two-plane bombing strike on December 13, 1943 against an underground oil storage tank located on Jabor at Jaluit Atoll in the Marshall Islands
Marshall Islands
The Republic of the Marshall Islands , , is a Micronesian nation of atolls and islands in the middle of the Pacific Ocean, just west of the International Date Line and just north of the Equator. As of July 2011 the population was 67,182...
. Seriously wounded by antiaircraft fire during the tree-top level approach, Lt. Stickell ignored his wounds and singlemindedly pursued his mission. His plane scored a direct hit on the target; but upon commencing the return flight, he was forced to relinquish the control of the plane to his copilot. Preferring to risk his own life and suffer pain rather than risk the safety of his crew and plane, Lt. Stickell ordered his co-pilot to pass up the dangerously narrow airstrip at Tarawa
Tarawa Atoll
Tarawa is an atoll in the central Pacific Ocean, previously the capital of the former British colony of the Gilbert and Ellice Islands. It is the location of the capital of the Republic of Kiribati, South Tarawa...
and head for a safer field over 400 miles away. Lt. Stickell died of his wounds six days later. For his gallantry and selfless sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross
Navy 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...
.
Namesake
In 1945, the destroyerDestroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
USS Stickell
USS Stickell (DD-888)
USS Stickell was a of the United States Navy. She was named for Lieutenant John H. Stickell USNR , who was killed in action at Jaluit Atoll in the Marshall Islands on 13 December 1943 and posthumously awarded the Navy Cross....
(DD-888) was named in his honor.