Thomas Conway graduated from Niagara University in New York with a B.A. in 1930, and then finished his education at Our Lady of Angels Seminary, in Niagara Falls, in 1934. He was ordained a Catholic Priest on May 25, 1934, and served as Assistant at Saint BridgetÕs Church in Buffalo, New York. In 1942 he enlisted in the Navy and was commissioned as a chaplain, serving at sea first aboard the U.S.S. Medusa, and then the U.S.S. Indianapolis. When the U.S.S. Indianapolis was sunk in 1945, he became the last chaplain to die in World War II. Private efforts were mounted over the years to have the Navy award him the Navy Cross, and in 2015 these calls were rejected, saying that Navy regulations require that nominating soldiers for awards should be of higher rank than the nominee. Not one of the survivors of the U.S.S. Indianapolis, when he died in 1945, met that requirement. Ultimately, however, in 2021, the Navy changed its position and posthumously awarded him the Navy Cross.
Sponsored by:
–
Born:
,
Home:
,
Buried:
,
Cemetery:
Awards Received
-
Navy Cross
-
Navy Cross
Service:
United States NavyRank:
Lieutenant (ChC)Division:
U.S.S. Indianapolis (CA-35)Action Date:
July 30 – August 2, 1945
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant (ChC) Thomas Michael Conway (NSN: 0-201102), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism from 30 July to 2 August 1945, while serving as Chaplain of U.S.S. Indianapolis (CA-35). Having completed a highly sensitive mission to deliver an atomic bomb to Tinian, Indianapolis was proceeding alone to the Philippines to rejoin the fleet when it was torpedoed and sunk by an enemy submarine, forcing Lieutenant Conway and hundreds of his shipmates into the open ocean in the dead of night. Covered with oil from their stricken vessel, and without benefit of life rafts or provisions, they began a desperate struggle to survive. Completely disregarding his own well-being, Chaplain Conway continually swam between the clusters of adrift Sailors _ many of whom were severely injured, delirious, and dying _ to provide them encouragement and comfort, pray with and for them, and administer them sacraments. After three days of tireless exertion to aid his shipmates, he finally succumbed to exhaustion and his body was committed to the deep. His efforts were credited as a major reason 67 of the shipmates in his group were ultimately rescued. By his heroic actions and selfless devotion to duty, Lieutenant Conway reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.