Name:
John Schweighardt
Rank:
Gunner's Mate 1st Class Petty Officer
Serial Number:
2282954
Unit:
U.S.S. Penguin
Date of Death:
1941-12-10
State:
New Jersey
Cemetery:
Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Arlington County, Virginia, USA
Plot:
Section 34
Row:
Grave:
Site 3440
Decoration:
Comments:
John Schweighardt was born on October 27, 1912. He served in the United States Navy as a Gunner's Mate 1st Class during World War II. He was a member of the crew of the U.S.S. Penguin, in port at Guam when the Japanese attacked and severely damaged his ship on December 8, 1941. The crew scuttled the Penguin to keep it from falling into enemy hands before making their way to shore to continue their defense of the Island. All but six of these men were captured within the first 48 hours and interned as prisoners of war. John was executed on the beach on December 10, 1941.
Source of information: valor.militarytimes.com,