John Michael Bermingham was born on July 5, 1905 in New York. He served in the U.S.S. Peary (DD-226), U.S. Navy as a Lieutenant Commander during World War II. After Manila Bay became untenable as an operating base, Lieutenant Commander Bermingham piloted his vessel to Darwin, N.T, Australia, narrowly escaping by his skillful maneuvering the attacks of bombers and torpedo planes on one occasion and avoiding further attacks during daylight by ingeniously camouflaging and hiding his ship near land.
He later carried out a second hazardous mission in delivering gasoline to an airfield which was under continual enemy surveillance.
His action and good judgment not only saved his ship in the first instance but also insured the successful accomplishment of others.
During the bombing of Darwin, Australia, by approximately 80 enemy aircraft he fought his ship valiantly against continued dive bombing attacks and went down with the U.S.S. PEARY when it finally sank. LtCdr Bermingham was declared Missing in Action on April 19, 1942 at the age of 36 and is commemorated on the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Taguig City, Philippines.

Navy Cross Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant Commander John Michael Bermingham (NSN: 0-62695), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Destroyer U.S.S. PEARY (DD-226), during operations in enemy waters of the Philippine Islands and later Dutch Timor waters during the period from 10 December 1941 to 19 February 1942.

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