Aviation Machinist Mate Third Class James David Christmas Jr., US Navy Reserve, was listed as dying on 31 May 1945. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing Honolulu Memorial Cemetery, Hawaii. He served on the U.S.S. Bennington (CV-20) and was transferred to the U.S.S. Salamaua (CVE-96) on 22 May 1945 for temporary duty. He was transferred to the U.S.S. Farenholt on 26 May 1945.
On 25 May 1945 Ensign Vincent J. Calo, USNR, and crewmen, Robert J. Baird, ARM3cT, UNSR and James D. Christmas, Jr., AMM3cT, USNR, reported to the Torpedo squadron forty as replacements. On 31 May 1945 Ensign Vincent J. Calo’s plane was shot down over Miyako. Calo parachuted to safety and was rescued. Crewmen Christmas and Baird failed to get out of the planes and were declared killed in action.
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. James David Christmas Sr., Harriman, TN.
- Rank: Aviation Machinist Mate Third Class
- Date of death: 31 May 1945
- County: Roane
- Service Branch: Navy
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XVII, Top Panel
- Sponsored by: Whitney Bennett, his grandniece
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