John F. Cullen
Aviation Machinist's Mate, Second Class, U.S. Navy
Service # 6475650
United States Naval Reserve
Entered the Service from: New York
Died: 06 November 1944 U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16), as a result of wounds received in action on 05 November 1944.
Disposition: Buried at sea, off Luzon, Philippines
Awards: Purple Heart
John Francis Cullen graduated from high school from St. Francis Preparatory School, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York in June 1940.
John Francis Cullen (S/N 647 56 50) enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 27 June 1942 in New York, New York. He became part of the U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16) crew on 05 April 1943.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls 12 April 1943 Lexington (CV-16) in anticipation of sailing: AMM3c John F. Cullen (*224-89-16) Enlisted 19 June 1942, New York, New York; USN Received on board 05 April 1943 from RS Boston, Mass.*Service Number was incorrect. There is a note in the 30 Jun 1943 Muster Roll correcting it.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls 30 June 1943, 30 September 1943 Lexington (CV-16): AMM3c V2 John Francis Cullen (647-56-50) Enlisted 27 June 1942; Date first received on board 05 April 1943.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls 09 November 1943 Lexington (CV-16): AMM3c V2 John Francis Cullen (647-56-50) Enlisted 27 June 1942, New York, New York; USNR Change of Rating from AMM3c to AMM2c AUTH: BuPers CL 111-43.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls 31 December 1943 Lexington (CV-16): AMM2c V2 John Francis Cullen (647-56-50) Enlisted 27 June 1942; Date first received on board 05 April 1943.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls 31 March 1944, 30 June 1944, 30 September 1944 Lexington (CV-16): AMM2c V2 John Francis Cullen (647-56-50) Enlisted 27 June 1942; Date first received on board 05 April 1943.
Battle of Leyte Gulf - Covering the Leyte landings, Lexington's planes scored importantly in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. While the carrier came under constant enemy attack in the engagement, her planes joined in sinking Musashi and scored hits on three cruisers on 24 October. Next day, with Essex aircraft, they sank Chitose, and alone sank Zuikaku. Later in the day, they aided in sinking Zuihō. As the retiring Japanese were pursued, her planes sank Nachi with four torpedo hits on 5 November off Luzon, Philippines.
Later that day, the U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16) came under attack from Japanese kamikazes. Two Mitsubishi A6M5 Navy Type 0 Fighter Model 52s from Mabalacat dove on the Lexington. The first was shot down, but the second broke through and crashed into the after end of her island, destroying most of the structure and spraying fire in all directions.
GRIFFIN, W: 05 November 1944 - A Day I'll Never Forget
a pilot with VB-19 aboard the Lexington
"Just as I reached the catwalk I looked up to where the tracers from our guns were streaming and I saw a fighter plane coming through broken clouds diving straight for our ship. An instant later I saw his right wing explode from a direct hit and he flipped over and plunged straight down and crashed into our ship's wake.
The personnel on the decks and island areas shouted and jumped for joy upon seeing the plane splash into the sea. Not 10 seconds later through the same break in the clouds came the second fighter plane, diving straight for the "Lady Lex." As I stood there, I looked up at the thousands of rounds being fired at the diving plane and knew that he too would explode any second now, because no plane could go through that wall of fire and survive. I also checked his wing roots for signs of any machine gun fire coming from them, at the same time I saw a black bomb attached under the center of his fuselage. Orange flashes were coming from his guns as he was strafing the ship as he dove on us. I yelled to those 5 or 6 men standing around me that he was strafing and to take cover under the edge of the flight deck….. Almost immediately we heard a huge explosion and the whole ship shook and shuddered as it was hit by the aircraft. The carrier then sounded its collision horn, a mournful "mooing" sound like a dying cow.
I went back up to the catwalk to see what damage we had suffered, and it was incredible. The after part of the island was in flames, and huge billows of black smoke were pouring out of the island structure. Several bodies were lying on the flight deck very still. Several others were staggering around wounded and bleeding. The enemy plane had hit the ship just aft of the ship's smokestack and directly into the ship's secondary control station. When the bomb exploded, it sent its force and flames all the way up the starboard side of the ship killing almost all personnel exposed on that side forward of the center of the explosion." Source: GRIFFIN, W., The Voices of Bombing Nineteen, pages 94-95, compiled and Edited by Bill and Kathy Emerson; Web Version uploaded by Hugh Emerson December 2002
*******************************************************************************
Aviation Machinist's Mate, Second Class, U.S. Navy, John Francis Cullen was among the 47 who died, another 132 men were injured.
According to the U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls of 16 November 1944 for the U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16), AMM2c V2 John Francis Cullen USNR Died 06 November 1944 as a result of wounds received in action. He was buried at sea.
"Over the next two days we held somber burial at sea services for the dead. As each body was consigned to the deep from the Number Two Elevator in a white canvas bag weighted down with brass shell casings, taps and three volleys from the Marine Guard marked each departure. As at every funeral, we sang the Navy Hymn which by now I had memorized. The burned needed attention and better hospital care. On Wednesday, November 8, the Task Group headed for Ulithi. There the wounded were sent to a hospital ship and we took tactical stock." Source: ENGEN (a pilot with VB-19 aboard the Lexington), The Voices of Bombing Nineteen, page 96, compiled and edited by Bill and Kathy Emerson; Web version uploaded by Hugh Emerson December 2002
You can watch the Kamikaze attack on USS Lexington (CV-16) 05 November 1944.
WWII Navy Casualty List - New York Dead: CULLEN, John Francis, Aviation Machinist's Mate 2c, USNR. Mother, Mrs. Margaret Cullen, 279 7th St., Brooklyn.
Aviation Machinist's Mate, Second Class, U.S. Navy
Service # 6475650
United States Naval Reserve
Entered the Service from: New York
Died: 06 November 1944 U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16), as a result of wounds received in action on 05 November 1944.
Disposition: Buried at sea, off Luzon, Philippines
Awards: Purple Heart
John Francis Cullen graduated from high school from St. Francis Preparatory School, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York in June 1940.
John Francis Cullen (S/N 647 56 50) enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 27 June 1942 in New York, New York. He became part of the U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16) crew on 05 April 1943.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls 12 April 1943 Lexington (CV-16) in anticipation of sailing: AMM3c John F. Cullen (*224-89-16) Enlisted 19 June 1942, New York, New York; USN Received on board 05 April 1943 from RS Boston, Mass.*Service Number was incorrect. There is a note in the 30 Jun 1943 Muster Roll correcting it.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls 30 June 1943, 30 September 1943 Lexington (CV-16): AMM3c V2 John Francis Cullen (647-56-50) Enlisted 27 June 1942; Date first received on board 05 April 1943.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls 09 November 1943 Lexington (CV-16): AMM3c V2 John Francis Cullen (647-56-50) Enlisted 27 June 1942, New York, New York; USNR Change of Rating from AMM3c to AMM2c AUTH: BuPers CL 111-43.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls 31 December 1943 Lexington (CV-16): AMM2c V2 John Francis Cullen (647-56-50) Enlisted 27 June 1942; Date first received on board 05 April 1943.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls 31 March 1944, 30 June 1944, 30 September 1944 Lexington (CV-16): AMM2c V2 John Francis Cullen (647-56-50) Enlisted 27 June 1942; Date first received on board 05 April 1943.
Battle of Leyte Gulf - Covering the Leyte landings, Lexington's planes scored importantly in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. While the carrier came under constant enemy attack in the engagement, her planes joined in sinking Musashi and scored hits on three cruisers on 24 October. Next day, with Essex aircraft, they sank Chitose, and alone sank Zuikaku. Later in the day, they aided in sinking Zuihō. As the retiring Japanese were pursued, her planes sank Nachi with four torpedo hits on 5 November off Luzon, Philippines.
Later that day, the U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16) came under attack from Japanese kamikazes. Two Mitsubishi A6M5 Navy Type 0 Fighter Model 52s from Mabalacat dove on the Lexington. The first was shot down, but the second broke through and crashed into the after end of her island, destroying most of the structure and spraying fire in all directions.
GRIFFIN, W: 05 November 1944 - A Day I'll Never Forget
a pilot with VB-19 aboard the Lexington
"Just as I reached the catwalk I looked up to where the tracers from our guns were streaming and I saw a fighter plane coming through broken clouds diving straight for our ship. An instant later I saw his right wing explode from a direct hit and he flipped over and plunged straight down and crashed into our ship's wake.
The personnel on the decks and island areas shouted and jumped for joy upon seeing the plane splash into the sea. Not 10 seconds later through the same break in the clouds came the second fighter plane, diving straight for the "Lady Lex." As I stood there, I looked up at the thousands of rounds being fired at the diving plane and knew that he too would explode any second now, because no plane could go through that wall of fire and survive. I also checked his wing roots for signs of any machine gun fire coming from them, at the same time I saw a black bomb attached under the center of his fuselage. Orange flashes were coming from his guns as he was strafing the ship as he dove on us. I yelled to those 5 or 6 men standing around me that he was strafing and to take cover under the edge of the flight deck….. Almost immediately we heard a huge explosion and the whole ship shook and shuddered as it was hit by the aircraft. The carrier then sounded its collision horn, a mournful "mooing" sound like a dying cow.
I went back up to the catwalk to see what damage we had suffered, and it was incredible. The after part of the island was in flames, and huge billows of black smoke were pouring out of the island structure. Several bodies were lying on the flight deck very still. Several others were staggering around wounded and bleeding. The enemy plane had hit the ship just aft of the ship's smokestack and directly into the ship's secondary control station. When the bomb exploded, it sent its force and flames all the way up the starboard side of the ship killing almost all personnel exposed on that side forward of the center of the explosion." Source: GRIFFIN, W., The Voices of Bombing Nineteen, pages 94-95, compiled and Edited by Bill and Kathy Emerson; Web Version uploaded by Hugh Emerson December 2002
*******************************************************************************
Aviation Machinist's Mate, Second Class, U.S. Navy, John Francis Cullen was among the 47 who died, another 132 men were injured.
According to the U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls of 16 November 1944 for the U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16), AMM2c V2 John Francis Cullen USNR Died 06 November 1944 as a result of wounds received in action. He was buried at sea.
"Over the next two days we held somber burial at sea services for the dead. As each body was consigned to the deep from the Number Two Elevator in a white canvas bag weighted down with brass shell casings, taps and three volleys from the Marine Guard marked each departure. As at every funeral, we sang the Navy Hymn which by now I had memorized. The burned needed attention and better hospital care. On Wednesday, November 8, the Task Group headed for Ulithi. There the wounded were sent to a hospital ship and we took tactical stock." Source: ENGEN (a pilot with VB-19 aboard the Lexington), The Voices of Bombing Nineteen, page 96, compiled and edited by Bill and Kathy Emerson; Web version uploaded by Hugh Emerson December 2002
You can watch the Kamikaze attack on USS Lexington (CV-16) 05 November 1944.
WWII Navy Casualty List - New York Dead: CULLEN, John Francis, Aviation Machinist's Mate 2c, USNR. Mother, Mrs. Margaret Cullen, 279 7th St., Brooklyn.
John F. Cullen
Aviation Machinist's Mate, Second Class, U.S. Navy
Service # 6475650
United States Naval Reserve
Entered the Service from: New York
Died: 06 November 1944 U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16), as a result of wounds received in action on 05 November 1944.
Disposition: Buried at sea, off Luzon, Philippines
Awards: Purple Heart
John Francis Cullen graduated from high school from St. Francis Preparatory School, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York in June 1940.
John Francis Cullen (S/N 647 56 50) enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 27 June 1942 in New York, New York. He became part of the U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16) crew on 05 April 1943.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls 12 April 1943 Lexington (CV-16) in anticipation of sailing: AMM3c John F. Cullen (*224-89-16) Enlisted 19 June 1942, New York, New York; USN Received on board 05 April 1943 from RS Boston, Mass.*Service Number was incorrect. There is a note in the 30 Jun 1943 Muster Roll correcting it.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls 30 June 1943, 30 September 1943 Lexington (CV-16): AMM3c V2 John Francis Cullen (647-56-50) Enlisted 27 June 1942; Date first received on board 05 April 1943.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls 09 November 1943 Lexington (CV-16): AMM3c V2 John Francis Cullen (647-56-50) Enlisted 27 June 1942, New York, New York; USNR Change of Rating from AMM3c to AMM2c AUTH: BuPers CL 111-43.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls 31 December 1943 Lexington (CV-16): AMM2c V2 John Francis Cullen (647-56-50) Enlisted 27 June 1942; Date first received on board 05 April 1943.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls 31 March 1944, 30 June 1944, 30 September 1944 Lexington (CV-16): AMM2c V2 John Francis Cullen (647-56-50) Enlisted 27 June 1942; Date first received on board 05 April 1943.
Battle of Leyte Gulf - Covering the Leyte landings, Lexington's planes scored importantly in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. While the carrier came under constant enemy attack in the engagement, her planes joined in sinking Musashi and scored hits on three cruisers on 24 October. Next day, with Essex aircraft, they sank Chitose, and alone sank Zuikaku. Later in the day, they aided in sinking Zuihō. As the retiring Japanese were pursued, her planes sank Nachi with four torpedo hits on 5 November off Luzon, Philippines.
Later that day, the U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16) came under attack from Japanese kamikazes. Two Mitsubishi A6M5 Navy Type 0 Fighter Model 52s from Mabalacat dove on the Lexington. The first was shot down, but the second broke through and crashed into the after end of her island, destroying most of the structure and spraying fire in all directions.
GRIFFIN, W: 05 November 1944 - A Day I'll Never Forget
a pilot with VB-19 aboard the Lexington
"Just as I reached the catwalk I looked up to where the tracers from our guns were streaming and I saw a fighter plane coming through broken clouds diving straight for our ship. An instant later I saw his right wing explode from a direct hit and he flipped over and plunged straight down and crashed into our ship's wake.
The personnel on the decks and island areas shouted and jumped for joy upon seeing the plane splash into the sea. Not 10 seconds later through the same break in the clouds came the second fighter plane, diving straight for the "Lady Lex." As I stood there, I looked up at the thousands of rounds being fired at the diving plane and knew that he too would explode any second now, because no plane could go through that wall of fire and survive. I also checked his wing roots for signs of any machine gun fire coming from them, at the same time I saw a black bomb attached under the center of his fuselage. Orange flashes were coming from his guns as he was strafing the ship as he dove on us. I yelled to those 5 or 6 men standing around me that he was strafing and to take cover under the edge of the flight deck….. Almost immediately we heard a huge explosion and the whole ship shook and shuddered as it was hit by the aircraft. The carrier then sounded its collision horn, a mournful "mooing" sound like a dying cow.
I went back up to the catwalk to see what damage we had suffered, and it was incredible. The after part of the island was in flames, and huge billows of black smoke were pouring out of the island structure. Several bodies were lying on the flight deck very still. Several others were staggering around wounded and bleeding. The enemy plane had hit the ship just aft of the ship's smokestack and directly into the ship's secondary control station. When the bomb exploded, it sent its force and flames all the way up the starboard side of the ship killing almost all personnel exposed on that side forward of the center of the explosion." Source: GRIFFIN, W., The Voices of Bombing Nineteen, pages 94-95, compiled and Edited by Bill and Kathy Emerson; Web Version uploaded by Hugh Emerson December 2002
*******************************************************************************
Aviation Machinist's Mate, Second Class, U.S. Navy, John Francis Cullen was among the 47 who died, another 132 men were injured.
According to the U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls of 16 November 1944 for the U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16), AMM2c V2 John Francis Cullen USNR Died 06 November 1944 as a result of wounds received in action. He was buried at sea.
"Over the next two days we held somber burial at sea services for the dead. As each body was consigned to the deep from the Number Two Elevator in a white canvas bag weighted down with brass shell casings, taps and three volleys from the Marine Guard marked each departure. As at every funeral, we sang the Navy Hymn which by now I had memorized. The burned needed attention and better hospital care. On Wednesday, November 8, the Task Group headed for Ulithi. There the wounded were sent to a hospital ship and we took tactical stock." Source: ENGEN (a pilot with VB-19 aboard the Lexington), The Voices of Bombing Nineteen, page 96, compiled and edited by Bill and Kathy Emerson; Web version uploaded by Hugh Emerson December 2002
You can watch the Kamikaze attack on USS Lexington (CV-16) 05 November 1944.
WWII Navy Casualty List - New York Dead: CULLEN, John Francis, Aviation Machinist's Mate 2c, USNR. Mother, Mrs. Margaret Cullen, 279 7th St., Brooklyn.
Aviation Machinist's Mate, Second Class, U.S. Navy
Service # 6475650
United States Naval Reserve
Entered the Service from: New York
Died: 06 November 1944 U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16), as a result of wounds received in action on 05 November 1944.
Disposition: Buried at sea, off Luzon, Philippines
Awards: Purple Heart
John Francis Cullen graduated from high school from St. Francis Preparatory School, Brooklyn, Kings County, New York in June 1940.
John Francis Cullen (S/N 647 56 50) enlisted in the U.S. Navy on 27 June 1942 in New York, New York. He became part of the U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16) crew on 05 April 1943.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls 12 April 1943 Lexington (CV-16) in anticipation of sailing: AMM3c John F. Cullen (*224-89-16) Enlisted 19 June 1942, New York, New York; USN Received on board 05 April 1943 from RS Boston, Mass.*Service Number was incorrect. There is a note in the 30 Jun 1943 Muster Roll correcting it.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls 30 June 1943, 30 September 1943 Lexington (CV-16): AMM3c V2 John Francis Cullen (647-56-50) Enlisted 27 June 1942; Date first received on board 05 April 1943.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls 09 November 1943 Lexington (CV-16): AMM3c V2 John Francis Cullen (647-56-50) Enlisted 27 June 1942, New York, New York; USNR Change of Rating from AMM3c to AMM2c AUTH: BuPers CL 111-43.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls 31 December 1943 Lexington (CV-16): AMM2c V2 John Francis Cullen (647-56-50) Enlisted 27 June 1942; Date first received on board 05 April 1943.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls 31 March 1944, 30 June 1944, 30 September 1944 Lexington (CV-16): AMM2c V2 John Francis Cullen (647-56-50) Enlisted 27 June 1942; Date first received on board 05 April 1943.
Battle of Leyte Gulf - Covering the Leyte landings, Lexington's planes scored importantly in the Battle of Leyte Gulf. While the carrier came under constant enemy attack in the engagement, her planes joined in sinking Musashi and scored hits on three cruisers on 24 October. Next day, with Essex aircraft, they sank Chitose, and alone sank Zuikaku. Later in the day, they aided in sinking Zuihō. As the retiring Japanese were pursued, her planes sank Nachi with four torpedo hits on 5 November off Luzon, Philippines.
Later that day, the U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16) came under attack from Japanese kamikazes. Two Mitsubishi A6M5 Navy Type 0 Fighter Model 52s from Mabalacat dove on the Lexington. The first was shot down, but the second broke through and crashed into the after end of her island, destroying most of the structure and spraying fire in all directions.
GRIFFIN, W: 05 November 1944 - A Day I'll Never Forget
a pilot with VB-19 aboard the Lexington
"Just as I reached the catwalk I looked up to where the tracers from our guns were streaming and I saw a fighter plane coming through broken clouds diving straight for our ship. An instant later I saw his right wing explode from a direct hit and he flipped over and plunged straight down and crashed into our ship's wake.
The personnel on the decks and island areas shouted and jumped for joy upon seeing the plane splash into the sea. Not 10 seconds later through the same break in the clouds came the second fighter plane, diving straight for the "Lady Lex." As I stood there, I looked up at the thousands of rounds being fired at the diving plane and knew that he too would explode any second now, because no plane could go through that wall of fire and survive. I also checked his wing roots for signs of any machine gun fire coming from them, at the same time I saw a black bomb attached under the center of his fuselage. Orange flashes were coming from his guns as he was strafing the ship as he dove on us. I yelled to those 5 or 6 men standing around me that he was strafing and to take cover under the edge of the flight deck….. Almost immediately we heard a huge explosion and the whole ship shook and shuddered as it was hit by the aircraft. The carrier then sounded its collision horn, a mournful "mooing" sound like a dying cow.
I went back up to the catwalk to see what damage we had suffered, and it was incredible. The after part of the island was in flames, and huge billows of black smoke were pouring out of the island structure. Several bodies were lying on the flight deck very still. Several others were staggering around wounded and bleeding. The enemy plane had hit the ship just aft of the ship's smokestack and directly into the ship's secondary control station. When the bomb exploded, it sent its force and flames all the way up the starboard side of the ship killing almost all personnel exposed on that side forward of the center of the explosion." Source: GRIFFIN, W., The Voices of Bombing Nineteen, pages 94-95, compiled and Edited by Bill and Kathy Emerson; Web Version uploaded by Hugh Emerson December 2002
*******************************************************************************
Aviation Machinist's Mate, Second Class, U.S. Navy, John Francis Cullen was among the 47 who died, another 132 men were injured.
According to the U.S. World War II Navy Muster Rolls of 16 November 1944 for the U.S.S. Lexington (CV-16), AMM2c V2 John Francis Cullen USNR Died 06 November 1944 as a result of wounds received in action. He was buried at sea.
"Over the next two days we held somber burial at sea services for the dead. As each body was consigned to the deep from the Number Two Elevator in a white canvas bag weighted down with brass shell casings, taps and three volleys from the Marine Guard marked each departure. As at every funeral, we sang the Navy Hymn which by now I had memorized. The burned needed attention and better hospital care. On Wednesday, November 8, the Task Group headed for Ulithi. There the wounded were sent to a hospital ship and we took tactical stock." Source: ENGEN (a pilot with VB-19 aboard the Lexington), The Voices of Bombing Nineteen, page 96, compiled and edited by Bill and Kathy Emerson; Web version uploaded by Hugh Emerson December 2002
You can watch the Kamikaze attack on USS Lexington (CV-16) 05 November 1944.
WWII Navy Casualty List - New York Dead: CULLEN, John Francis, Aviation Machinist's Mate 2c, USNR. Mother, Mrs. Margaret Cullen, 279 7th St., Brooklyn.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from New York.
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