Military Monday ~ Johnnie Ford Bourke

Johnnie Ford Bourke was born on February 8, 1918 to the marriage of Elijah V. Bourke and Ida Mae Ford.  He was a brother to Louis, Rosemary and Charles "Mo" Bourke.

Johnnie served in the United States Navy during World War II.  The March 31, 1944 Muster Roll of the crew of the U.S.S. Evans (DD552) shows his rank as MM2c V6.

U.S.S Evans (DD552)

On May 11, 1945, Johnnie Ford Bourke paid the ultimate sacrifice when he died while serving his country as a Machinist's Mate 1 aboard the U.S.S. Evans.

From the Presidential Unit Citation:

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION to the U.S.S. EVANS for service as set forth in the following CITATION:

“For extraordinary heroism in action as support destroyer on radar picket station number 15 during an attack by approximately 100 enemy Japanese planes, 40 miles northwest of the Okinawa Transport Area, May 11, 1945. Fighting valiantly against waves of hostile suicide planes plunging toward her from all directions, the U.S.S. EVANS sent up relentless barrages of anti-aircraft fire during one of the most furious air-sea battles of the war. Repeatedly finding her targets, she destroyed 14 enemy planes, assisted in downing three others and, by her vigilance and superb battle readiness, avoided damage to herself until subjected to a coordinated attack by five Japanese planes. Shooting one down clear of the ship, she was crashed by the other four with devastating effect. With all engineering spaces flooded and with a fire raging amidships, the gallant officers and men of the EVANS fought desperately against almost insurmountable odds and, by their indomitable determination, fortitude and skill, brought the damage under control, enabling their ship to be towed to port and saved. Her brilliant performance in this action reflects the highest credit upon the EVANS and the United States Naval Services.”

For the President,

/s/ James Forrestal

Secretary of the Navy

Source:  www.ussevans.org

 

 

Johnnie Ford Bourke is buried in the Old Pine Hill Cemetery in Sicily Island, Catahoula Parish, Louisiana.