Elmer P. Abernethy’s Navy Cross citation

The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to

Captain [then Commander] Elmer Paul Abernethy

United States Navy

for service as set forth in the following

CITATION:

for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Fleet Oiler U.S.S. PECOS (AO-6), during the sinking of that vessel by Japanese air forces, off Christmas Island on 1 March 1942. Captain Abernethy put up a terrific fight against waves of dive bombers which swept down out of the sun. When the ship finally was overwhelmed and sinking, he calmly directed abandoning operations under a hail of fire from enemy fliers who kept circling the ship and strafing helpless survivors clinging to life rafts and floating debris. Captain Abernethy’s conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.