John W. McClernan
Carpenter / Cabinet Maker

©

John W. (Bill) McClernan, a U.S. Coast Guardsman who survived a murderous kamikaze attack and later worked as a master cabinetmaker on the SS JOHN W. BROWN, died August 18, 2006, in Philadelphia. He was 81 years old.

A Coast Guard seaman first class in Wold War II, McClernan was manning the guns of the USS CALLAWAY (APA-35) when she was steaming north on January 8, 1945, in the Lingayen assault in the Luzon operation. Swarms of Japanese kamikaze planes attacked. One broke through the antiaircraft fire and hit the starboard bridge wing of the CALLAWAY.

Heroic efforts minimized the damage but 31 crewmen were killed and 22 wounded in the incident. McClernan was uninjured. The ship continued on her mission the next day. After temporary repairs at Ulithi, the ship was back in action taking Marine reinforcements from Guam to Iwo Jima and Iwo Jima's wounded back to Guam.

A half century later, after a career as a cabinetmaker, McClernan worked his magic in wood on the BROWN. He created the pulpit and altar in the ship's chapel as well as other wood structures and creations. He also fashioned the teak handrails on the forward gangway. He was a highly skilled craftsman, a quiet man who worked hard.

McClernan was constructing a large corner showcase for the shipbuilder's museum on the BROWN when he became ill several years ago. He served for several years on the Board of Directors of Project Liberty Ship. Bill is survived by his wife of nearly 57 years, Therese, two sons and two daughters, eight grandchildren and one great-grandchild, a brother and a sister. He was buried on August 23 with full military honors at Indiantown Gap (Pennsylvania) National Cemetery.