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Navy Federal Credit Union
Winfield
Scott
Cunningham
POW (WWII)
February 16, 1900

–

March 3, 1986

Winfield Cunningham graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy at Annapolis, Class of 1920. He retired as a U.S. Navy Rear Admiral.

Awards Received

  • Navy Cross

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Regiment:

    Naval Air Station

    Division:

    Wake Island

    Action Date:

    December 7 – 22, 1941
    Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 317 (August 1943)

    The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Commander Winfield Scott Cunningham (NSN: 0-56074), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of Commanding Officer, Naval Air Station, Wake Island, where he was responsible for directing defenses of that post during the Japanese siege from 7 through 22 December 1941, against impossible odds. Commander Cunningham’s inspiring leadership and the valiant devotion to duty of his command contributed in large measure to the outstanding success of these vital missions and reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Navy

    Rank:

    Commander

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Japan)

    Action Date:

    December 23, 1942 – 1945
    NARA Database: Records of World War II Prisoners of War, created, 1942 – 1947

    Commander Winfield Scott Cunningham (NSN: 0-56074), United States Navy, was captured by the Japanese after the fall of Wake Island on 23 December 1941, and was held as a Prisoner of War until returned to U.S. Military control at the end of the war.