Phillip Michael Joyce
Phillip Michael Joyce was born 23-Oct 1920 in St. Louis Missouri. His father was Harold Temm Joyce (1898–1983) and his mother was Hulda B Becker (1898–1956). He had one brother, Robert. According to the Federal Census, in 1930 through 1940, the family was living on Carrswold Drive in Clayton St. Louis County, Missouri.
He attended Clayton High School. His yearbook says he played football, was in the band, French Club, Chess Club, Drama Guild, Class President and Vice President, and Senior Class Play. After graduating, Phillip attended Westminster College and later Washington University completing one year. During his second year at Washington University, Phillip enrolled in the Navy’s Midshipman Training Class. Phillip joined the Navy in July 1940 attending basic training at Great Lakes Naval Training Center. His service number was 0-096334. He later was awarded a commission of Ensign in February 1941.
Philip was mustered aboard the U.S.S. Peary. The USS Peary (DD-226) was laid down by William Cramp and Sons, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 9-Sep1919; launched 6 April 1920 and commissioned 22-Oct 1920. Peary served in the Far East from 1922 onward. With the Yangtze Patrol Force from 1923 to 1931, she made annual deployments in Chinese waters protecting American interests from 1931 to the outbreak of World War II.
The Peary had a crew of 114 officers and enlisted men. The USS Peary was a flush deck, “four stacker” Clemson class destroyer, commissioned in 1920. A total of 156 Clemson class destroyers were built between April 1918 and September 1920. The Clemson class destroyers were used as U Boat fighters, escort for convoys, and various patrols and exercises requiring speed, endurance and maneuverability, and were used up to and including World War II. The Peary was based in Manila at the beginning of the war.
In a letter to home dated 10-Feb 1942, he told his parents, “I am engaged in many interesting experiences that he could not disclose at the time” and then added it was by the grace of God I came through it without a scratch of any kind.” Joyce was a commissary, communications, and assistant gunnery officer aboard the Peary.
The New Year (1942) found Peary at Darwin, Australia. During January and a part of February, she operated out of Darwin, principally on anti-submarine patrol. At about 10:45 a.m. on 19 Feb 1942 Peary was attacked by single-engine Japanese dive bombers and suffered 80 men killed and 13 wounded. The first bomb exploded on the fantail, the second, an incendiary, on the galley deck house; the third did not explode; the fourth hit forward and set off the forward ammunition magazines; the fifth, another incendiary, exploded in the after-engine room. A .30 caliber machine gun on the after-deck house and a .50 caliber machine gun on the galley deck house fired until the last enemy plane flew away. Peary sank stern first at about 1:00 p.m. She was struck from the Navy List 8 May 1942.
Phillip Joyce was Killed in Action on 19-Feb 1942 and remains missing.
For more of his story, click on the pdf below.
Damaged USS Peary Sinking
