John DiBella, BM3, USN

John DiBella was awarded these medals for his cambat action aboard the USS Haraden during WWII.  He had seen much action while the Haraden was working as ecsort for the carrier Natoma Bay.

On December 13, 1944 while screening the Natoma Bay as she  ented the Sulu Sea, the Haraden was the target of a Japanese kamikazi plane.

Shown on the right is the Haraden minutes after the Japanese Zero impacted her superstructure.

  With smoke billowing from her injuries, the Haraden lay dead in the water. (Photo taken from the USS Natoma Bay)

The ensuing explosion of the foward powder magazine disabled both foward turrents trapping the men inside.  It was here in the lower forward turrent that John sustained his injuries.  Both turrents were knocked off their rails and the lower turrent came to rest laying on its hatch.  Luckily, by using a chain and the upper gun mount, they were able to lift the lower turrent allowing the removal of the trapped men. 

As John and his shipmates were removed from the turrent, it was discovered that there were major injuries to all within the turrent.  In all, 14 men were killed and 24 were wounded in the kamikazi attack  The "Purple Heart" was awarded to John as a result of this incident. 

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