| Birth: | Dec. 29, 1891 | | Death: | Mar. 1, 1942 | 
World War II Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient. Born in Colton, Washington, he graduated from the United States Naval Academy in June 1914. He was promoted to the rank of Captain in June 1940 and in 1941 took command of the heavy cruiser "USS Houston" (CA-30), flagship of the Asiatic Fleet, leading convoys and escorts. The Asiatic Fleet with its British and Dutch counterparts fought against overwhelming Japanese forces in Southeast Asia, the Philippines and the East Indies. At the Battle of Sunda Strait, on February 28 to March 1, 1942, his ship and the Australian light cruiser "HMAS Perth" encountered a Japanese covering force of ships protecting there invasion fleet. The Houston and Perth aggressively fired at the attacking Japanese ships but they were outnumbered, outgunned and completely surrounded. Four torpedoes sealed the fate of the Perth shortly after midnight. Soon after, the Houston was struck by torpedoes and shell fire which destroyed her number two eight-inch gun turret. She continued to fight alone against the Japanese fleet but managed to hit three destroyers and sink a minesweeper before three more torpedoes ripped into the ship. When the order was given to abandon ship Captain Rooks and the majority of the crew were already dead. The remaining crew members jumped over the sides then began swimming for the Java shore as there Captain, shipmates and ship sank. For his courage and professionalism during the Netherlands East Indies Campaign, he was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor. (bio by: John "J-Cat" Griffith)
Search Amazon for Albert Rooks | | | Burial:
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
Manila
Metro Manila
National Capital, Philippines |
Maintained by: Find A Grave
Originally Created by: John "J-Cat" Griffith
Record added: Dec 11, 2003
Find A Grave Memorial# 8173510 |
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