John Duncan Bulkeley

Breaking Through Enemy Lines in Wooden Torpedo Boats

John Duncan Bulkeley earned the Medal of Honor for leading Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three through the desperate defence of the Philippines in the Second World War. From December 1941 to April 1942, his small U.S. Navy force attacked Japanese aircraft, ships and landing forces while operating without proper repair and maintenance facilities.

Born in New York City on 19 August 1911, Bulkeley grew up in Marblehead, Massachusetts, and attended Hackettstown High School in New Jersey. He entered the United States Naval Academy in 1929 and graduated in 1933. Early assignments aboard cruisers and other ships prepared him for command of submarine chasers and, in August 1941, the torpedo boat squadron sent to the Philippines.

After Japan's offensive began, Bulkeley's crews fought with limited boats, fuel, spares and support. Their fast wooden PT boats challenged a much larger enemy while the defence of Bataan and Corregidor tightened around them. His Medal of Honor recognised the squadron's sustained combat performance and his resourceful leadership throughout the campaign.

In March 1942, Bulkeley led the PT boat journey that carried General Douglas MacArthur and his party from Corregidor to Mindanao, allowing them to continue to Australia. He also helped evacuate Philippine President Manuel Quezon and his party. These missions made him famous, but the citation honours a broader record of offensive operations under severe constraints.

Official Medal of Honor citation U.S. Naval History and Heritage Command transcription:

For extraordinary heroism, distinguished service, and conspicuous gallantry above and beyond the call of duty as Commander of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron THREE, in Philippine Waters during the period 7 December 1941 to 10 April 1942. The remarkable achievement of Lieutenant Bulkeley's Command in damaging or destroying a notable number of Japanese enemy planes, surface combatant and merchant ships, and in dispersing landing parties and land-based enemy forces during the 4 months and 8 days of operation without benefit of repairs, overhaul or maintenance facilities for his Squadron, is believed to be without precedent in this type of warfare. His dynamic forcefulness and daring in offensive action, his brilliantly planned and skillfully executed attacks, supplemented by a unique resourcefulness and ingenuity, characterize him as an outstanding leader of men and a gallant and intrepid seaman. These qualities coupled with a complete disregard for his own personal safety reflect great credit upon him and the Naval Service.

Bulkeley returned to PT boat combat in the southwest Pacific and later commanded a squadron supporting the Normandy invasion in June 1944. As captain of the destroyer USS Endicott, he fought in the invasion of southern France and earned another Silver Star for action against enemy vessels.

His postwar career included service during the Korean War, command of the naval base at Guantanamo Bay and a long tenure as president of the Navy's Board of Inspection and Survey. He continued serving until 1988 and became a vice admiral on the retired list.

Bulkeley died on 6 April 1996, aged 84, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The destroyer USS Bulkeley (DDG 84) carries his name, preserving the legacy of a naval leader who kept small boats fighting when larger forces were withdrawing.