Winfield S. Cunningham Military person

Winfield Scott Cunningham (February 16, 1900 – March 3, 1986) was the Officer in Charge, Naval Activities, Wake Island when the tiny island was attacked by the Japanese on December 8, 1941. Cunningham commanded the defense of the island against the massive Japanese attack. After 15 days, the island was surrendered to the Japanese. Cunningham was taken prisoner and held as a POW in Japan. He was awarded the Navy Cross for his leadership at Wake Island.

Personal facts

Birth date	February 16, 1900
Birth place	Wisconsin , Rockbridge Wisconsin
Date of death	March 03, 1986
Place of death	Memphis Tennessee

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Military person

award	Bronze Star Medal World War II Victory Medal (United States) Navy Cross Navy Expeditionary Medal Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal Prisoner of War Medal American Defense Service Medal World War I Victory Medal (United States)
military operations	Battle of Wake Island
military branch	United States Navy
military command	Wake Island
service start	1919
service end	1919