Jackson C. Pharris

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Jackson Charles Pharris
26 June 1912 – 17 October 1966

Place of birth	Columbus, Georgia
Allegiance	United States Navy
Rank	Lieutenant Commander
Unit	USS California (BB-44)
Battles/wars	Attack on Pearl Harbor
Awards	Medal of Honor

Jackson Charles Pharris (26 June 1912 – 17 October 1966) was an officer in the United States Navy who was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism during the attack on Pearl Harbor.

On 7 December 1941, Pharris was serving on board the battleship California (BB-44).

Medal of Honor citation:: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while attached to the U.S.S. California during the surprise enemy Japanese aerial attack on Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii, 7 December 1941. In charge of the ordnance repair party on the third deck when the first Japanese torpedo struck almost directly under his station, Lt. (then Gunner) Pharris was stunned and severely injured by the concussion which hurled him to the overhead and back to the deck. Quickly recovering, he acted on his own initiative to set up a hand-supply ammunition train for the antiaircraft guns. With water and oil rushing in where the port bulkhead had been torn up from the deck, with many of the remaining crewmembers overcome by oil fumes, and the ship without power and listing heavily to port as a result of a second torpedo hit, Lt. Pharris ordered the shipfitters to counterflood. Twice rendered unconscious by the nauseous fumes and handicapped by his painful injuries, he persisted in his desperate efforts to speed up the supply of ammunition and at the same time repeatedly risked his life to enter flooding compartments and drag to safety unconscious shipmates who were gradually being submerged in oil. By his inspiring leadership, his valiant efforts and his extreme loyalty to his ship and her crew, he saved many of his shipmates from death and was largely responsible for keeping the California in action during the attack. His heroic conduct throughout this first eventful engagement of World War II reflects the highest credit upon Lt. Pharris and enhances the finest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.

Pharris retired from the Navy with the rank of lieutenant commander. He died on 17 October 1966, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery.

In 1972, the destroyer escort USS Pharris (DE-1094) was named in his honor.