World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Mervyn Sharp Bennion was Commanding Officer of the USS West Virginia (BB-48) when it was hit by the Japanese in their surprise attack on December 7, 1941. His CMOH citation reads: For conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary courage, and complete disregard of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. As Commanding Officer of the USS West Virginia, after being mortally wounded, Capt. Bennion evidenced apparent concern only in fighting and saving his ship, and strongly protested against being carried from the bridge. Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Navy. Born: 5 May 1887, Vernon, Utah. Appointed from: Utah. His Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously, and a destroyer named the USS Bennion (DD-662) was christened in 1943 by his wife Louise. In 1951 the Salt Lake City Navy Mother's Club dedicated a plaque in honor of World War II veterans in Salt Lake's Memory Grove. Bennion was also honored in 1968 by the University of Utah's Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, which dedicated the midshipmen wardroom in the Naval Science Building to him.
World War II Medal of Honor Recipient. Mervyn Sharp Bennion was Commanding Officer of the USS West Virginia (BB-48) when it was hit by the Japanese in their surprise attack on December 7, 1941. His CMOH citation reads: For conspicuous devotion to duty, extraordinary courage, and complete disregard of his own life, above and beyond the call of duty, during the attack on the Fleet in Pearl Harbor, by Japanese forces on 7 December 1941. As Commanding Officer of the USS West Virginia, after being mortally wounded, Capt. Bennion evidenced apparent concern only in fighting and saving his ship, and strongly protested against being carried from the bridge. Rank and organization: Captain, U.S. Navy. Born: 5 May 1887, Vernon, Utah. Appointed from: Utah. His Medal of Honor was awarded posthumously, and a destroyer named the USS Bennion (DD-662) was christened in 1943 by his wife Louise. In 1951 the Salt Lake City Navy Mother's Club dedicated a plaque in honor of World War II veterans in Salt Lake's Memory Grove. Bennion was also honored in 1968 by the University of Utah's Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps, which dedicated the midshipmen wardroom in the Naval Science Building to him.
Bio by: Soorus
Inscription
Honoring Utah's Medal of Honor Recipients
Bennion, Mervyn Sharp - USN
WWII - 7 Dec 1941 - Pearl Harbor
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