Return to Frequently
Asked Questions page.Return to Naval Historical
Center home page. Return to Frequently
Asked Questions page.
LT Walter B. Burwell, MC, USNR, was a medical officer
on USS Suwannee (CVE-27)
when it was struck by two Japanese suicide (Kamikaze) aircraft
on 25 and 26 October 1944"For distinguishing himself by gallantry
and intrepidity in his profession as a medical officer on his
ship the USS Suwannee from 25 to 28 October 1944. While
operating off Japanese-held Leyte Island, Philippine Islands,
against nearby Japanese surface task forces his ship was struck
three times by Japanese aircraft attacks on 25 and 26 October
1944. These three attacks not only so damaged the ship it was
unable further to carry on air operations but also caused extremely
heavy casualties. While he was tending the wounded of 25 October
in the forward battle dressing station, aft and below the catapult
machinery spaces the attack of 26 October extinguished the lights,
shattered the bulkheads and caused water from a ruptured main
to pour in on the wounded. He immediately evacuated them, moving
them to the after-hatch of the compartment, going into the next
compartment alone, and after dogging down the door, exploring
it to make sure it was safe for the wounded. He repeated this
process through several compartments leading his party of wounded
to safety. He later made his way through smoke and flame to the
forecastle isolated from the rest of the ship by the flight deck
fire of great intensity to tend the wounded there. For four days
he labored over the dying and wounded without sleep, with skill
and devotion and with a calming demeanor. His use of the talents
of his profession, his personal courage and devotion are in keeping
with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States."
14 June 2000