MAY 5, 2025 – Navy Lt. John James Powers knew that dive-bombing ships was a dangerous way to deploy explosives against the Japanese during World War II. The maneuver went above and beyond the call of duty, but he wanted to ensure the success of his missions. Powers lost his life while using the tactic and received a posthumous Medal of Honor for his bravery and leadership.
Powers was born July 13, 1912, in New York City to Joseph and Maria Powers. He had two sisters, Maria and Betty. His brother, William, also served during World War II in the U.S. Merchant Marine.
As a Catholic, Powers grew up singing in his church’s choir. He was also in the Boy Scouts. After high school, he attended the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, graduating in 1935. His first five years on active duty were spent at sea, including serving three years on a fleet ship in China. Powers then went into flight training. In January 1941, shortly after earning his wings, the lieutenant joined Bombing Squadron 5 attached to the USS Yorktown.
In 1942, after the U.S. became involved in World War II, the Yorktown sailed to the Pacific, where the fleet was tasked with preventing further Japanese expansion in the Solomon Islands. One of the first major engagements was during the Battle of the Coral Sea. It was the first naval battle in history in which opposing ships never sighted or fired at each other — it was fought between aircraft carriers.
During the first several days of May 1942, Powers and his squadron took part in five engagements against Japanese forces.
On May 4, near the island of Tulagi, Powers dropped bombs against enemy objectives during three missions, one of which scored a direct hit that instantly destroyed a large enemy ship. Powers was also credited with two close misses: one seriously damaged a large enemy aircraft tender, while the second damaged a 20,000-ton transport ship.
Despite heavy enemy antiaircraft fire, Powers used all his ammunition to attack a gunboat, which ended up fleeing with a heavy oil slick in its wake. The damaged ship was later seen beached on a nearby island.
The main battle began, May 7, 1942. That day, Powers led three dive-bombers in an attack on a Japanese carrier. In the face of antiaircraft fire, Powers purposely dove to an altitude well below what was considered safe, risking his life and his aircraft so he could bomb a vital section of the ship. Other pilots and observers noted that his dive-bombing run caused a massive explosion, engulfing the ship in flames, smoke and debris. It sank soon after.
During a meeting that evening, Powers lectured his squadron on how to perform point-of-aim and diving techniques like his. He advocated for dropping bombs at a lower altitude to ensure greater accuracy, but he stressed the dangers involved, including heavy enemy fire, the inability to pull back up and being hit by the bomb’s own blast.
The next day, as the squadron readied their planes, Powers inspired the pilots by saying, “Remember, the folks back home are counting on us. I am going to get a hit if I have to lay it on their flight deck.”
From an altitude of 18,000 feet, Powers led his section of dive-bombers to their target, the Japanese carrier Shokaku. They pushed through a wall of bursting antiaircraft shells and right into the face of enemy fighter planes.
Disregarding his own safety, Powers pressed home his attack. He dove almost to the level of the Shokaku’s deck before releasing his bomb, which nearly hit dead center and caused horrific damage, including several massive fires that killed more than 100 Japanese sailors, according to the Naval History and Heritage Command.
Powers’ aircraft then plunged into the sea. He was initially listed as missing in action before being officially declared dead about a month later.
Naval historians said that while another bomb was dropped on the Shokaku, it was Powers’ bomb that knocked the ship out of action for the rest of the battle. The damage left it unable to recover aircraft and participate in the more decisive Battle of Midway one month later. Historians said Powers’ actions likely prevented the loss of the Yorktown and changed the outcome of two critical World War II battles.
For going above and beyond the call of duty and giving his life for the cause, Powers received a posthumous Medal of Honor. His mother accepted it on his behalf on Sept. 7, 1942, during a ceremony in Washington.
Powers was honored by the Navy again in February 1944, when the destroyer escort USS John J. Powers was commissioned into the fleet.
Powers’ name is listed on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines. A marker is also dedicated to him at Woodlawn Cemetery in the Bronx, New York City.
By Katie Lange, DOD News