Conway, Thomas Michael
Navy Reserves Lieutenant

Thomas Michael Conway from Glendale, California, Los Angeles county.

Parents: Mr. Thomas Francis Conway

Service era: World War II
Military history: In 2021, Conway was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously. The citation reads: ““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.”

Date of death: Monday, July 30, 1945
Death details: Died aboard the USS Indianapolis

Source: National Archives, ussindianapolis.org, Hartford Courant