John Howard(1913-1995)

While serving on the minesweeper YMS - 24 as the XO (executive officer) his ship hit a mine. The captain was killed. John took command and in a effort to save his ship and his men; he had to jump into the sea several times. This took place off the coast of Marseille, France while the ship took part in a deception action in Aug. of 1944. He was awarded the Navy Cross by the U.S. Navy, and the Croix de Guerre by France.