Winfield S. Cunningham
| Winfield Scott Cunningham | |
|---|---|
Captain Winfield S. Cunningham, USN
|
|
| Born |
February 16, 1900 Rockbridge, Wisconsin |
| Died | March 3, 1986 (aged 86) Memphis, Tennessee |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Navy |
| Years of service | 1919–1950, USNA 1916-1919 |
| Rank | Rear Admiral |
| Commands held | Wake Island |
| Battles/wars | World War II *Battle of Wake Island |
| Awards |
Navy Cross Bronze Star Prisoner of War Medal Navy Expeditionary Medal World War I Victory Medal American Defense Service Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal |
Winfield Scott Cunningham (February 16, 1900 – March 3, 1986) was the Officer in Charge, Naval Activities, Wake Island when the tiny island was attacked by the Japanese on December 8, 1941. Cunningham commanded the defense of the island against the massive Japanese attack. After 15 days, he surrendered the island to the Japanese. Cunningham was taken prisoner and held as a POW in Japan. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his leadership at Wake Island.
Winfield Cunningham was born on February 16, 1900 in Rockbridge, Wisconsin. He was the son of Frederick Michael and Ruth Ella (Moore) Cunningham. Cunningham attended high school at Camp Douglas.
In 1916, at the age of 16 and after completing his junior year in high school, he was appointed to the United States Naval Academy. Because of World War I, his Class of 1920 was graduated early – on June 6, 1919. Cunningham was commissioned an ensign and his first assignment was on the naval transport USS Martha Washington, which brought troops home from France. He would then spend the next two years on ships off the coast of Turkey. In January 1922, aboard the USS Huron, he sailed for China where he would spend the next year and a half. Returning to the U.S., on May 3, 1923, he was promoted to lieutenant (jg), with his promotion backdated to June 7, 1922.
While serving in China, Cunningham applied to enter aviation training. Though turned down in this first request, he put in requests several times and was finally accepted in 1924. On February 14, 1925, he reported as a student naval aviator to Naval Air Station Pensacola, Florida. While in training he was promoted to lieutenant on June 7, 1925, and was designated a naval aviator on September 11, 1925, becoming an aviator qualified in both fighters and flying boats.
On November 28, 1941, Cunningham, by now a commander, reported for duty as Officer in Charge, All Naval Activities, Wake Island. His command briefing gave top priority to completing the naval air station, over any attention to improving the island's defenses.
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