Henry Warren Tucker
1919-1942

Navy Cross

Purple Heart

 Henry Warren Tucker

Our ship was named in honor of  PM3 Henry Warren Tucker of York, Alabama, USNR. He was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for heroism during the Battle of the Coral Sea, May 7, 1942.

Tucker was called to active duty in July, 1941, and reported to the Naval Hospital at Pensacola, Florida.

On January 15, 1942, Tucker reported aboard the tanker USS Neosho (AO-23) for duty. The Neosho had survived the Pearl Harbor attack despite being berthed on "Battleship Row."

During the opening phase of the Battle of the Coral Sea, Japanese naval forces launched an all-out aerial attack on what they believed was the main U.S. battle force. What the Japanese found instead was the Neosho and destroyer USS Sims (DD-409) waiting at a refueling rendezvous.

Facing a 60-plane attack, the fate of the two American ships was never in doubt. The Sims exploded and sank immediately with a loss of almost the entire crew. Despite its cargo of burning aviation gas and fuel oil. the Neosho managed to remain afloat for awhile.

For his actions during the sinking of the Neosho, Tucker was awarded the Navy Cross. The citation reads as follows:   

"For extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of  his professionalism following the attack on the USS Neosho by enemy Japanese aerial forces on 7 May 1942.

"With complete disregard for his own life, Tucker swam between the various life rafts carrying tannic acid in his hands to treat the burns of the injured men.

"He hazarded the dangers of exposure and exhaustion to continue his task, helping the injured to boats but refusing a place for himself.

"Tucker was subsequently reported as missing in action and it is believed he lost his life in his loyal and courageous devotion to duty.

His valorous actions enhance and sustain the finest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

                                                            -- Dept. of the Navy (1942)--

A Friend Remembers Warren Tucker

My name is Les Matheney. I grew up in York, Alabama, with Warren Tucker.

On December 7th, 1941, Warren was home for the weekend and joined my girlfriend and I for an afternoon drive. While driving in the countryside, we heard on the radio about Pearl Harbor. Needless to say, it spoiled the outing.

After I dropped Warren at his parents home, I never saw him again. In January, myself and three friends joined the Marines and went to San Diego for Boot Camp. In May I received word that Warren was missing and presumed dead. Later, I heard the details of his death and the Citations for Bravery. He was not a budding hero. Most aren't. When the chips were down he came through.

In 1951, I was in the hospital at Yokosuka, Japan recovering from wounds. I had been at the same place in 1945 as the war ended. A sailor came into the ward looking for me. His family knew my family and sent him an article about my injuries. I asked him if he was on shore or sea duty and he said he was on the "Terrible Tucker". What a small world.

I asked him about the name on the Commissioning Plate. I next asked if he knew where Warren lived. It was only about 15 miles from the sailor's home.

My date, on Dec. 7th, and I talked about Warren at a reunion a couple of years ago. In January of this year she was killed in an auto accident.

This past December 7th, I wrote an account of the day and sent to my children and friends who knew Warren. One friend, who lives in Nashville, dug up the info on your web site through a nephew in San Diego, sent it to me and here I am. I live in the Sacramento, CA area.

If you have any interest in any further information regarding Henry Warren Tucker, please let me know. Yesterday, I showed my 24 year old granddaughter the copies and we found the site on our home computer. I started by saying, "It's the Fourth of July and I have a Patriotic story to tell you. One about a patriot who paid the supreme price for our freedom.

At the conclusion, she thought it was significant that Warren was an unlikely hero and we don't know what people will do when the chips are down. I was pleased that she got the message. ~~ July 5, 2000

Email: Les Matheney [email protected]