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William Pinckney was born on 27 April, 1915 in Dale, South Carolina, US, is an American sailor (1915–1976). Discover William Pinckney's Biography, Age, Height, Physical Stats, Dating/Affairs, Family and career updates. Learn How rich is he in this year and how he spends money? Also learn how he earned most of networth at the age of 61 years old?

Popular As N/A
Occupation N/A
Age 61 years old
Zodiac Sign Taurus
Born 27 April, 1915
Birthday 27 April
Birthplace Dale, South Carolina, US
Date of death 21 July, 1976
Died Place Beaufort, South Carolina, US
Nationality United States

We recommend you to check the complete list of Famous People born on 27 April. He is a member of famous sailor with the age 61 years old group.

William Pinckney Height, Weight & Measurements

At 61 years old, William Pinckney height not available right now. We will update William Pinckney's Height, weight, Body Measurements, Eye Color, Hair Color, Shoe & Dress size soon as possible.

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Dating & Relationship status

He is currently single. He is not dating anyone. We don't have much information about He's past relationship and any previous engaged. According to our Database, He has no children.

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William Pinckney Net Worth

His net worth has been growing significantly in 2023-2024. So, how much is William Pinckney worth at the age of 61 years old? William Pinckney’s income source is mostly from being a successful sailor. He is from United States. We have estimated William Pinckney's net worth, money, salary, income, and assets.

Net Worth in 2024 $1 Million - $5 Million
Salary in 2024 Under Review
Net Worth in 2023 Pending
Salary in 2023 Under Review
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Source of Income sailor

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Timeline

1915

William Pinckney (April 27, 1915 – July 21, 1976) was a United States Navy sailor who was the second African American to be awarded the Navy Cross, the second-highest decoration for valor in combat after the Medal of Honor.

Pinckney received the medal for saving the life of a fellow crew member on board the USS Enterprise (CV-6) during the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands.

The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91) is named in his honor.

Pinckney was born in Dale, South Carolina, on April 27, 1915, to Renty and Jenny Pinckney.

His father worked as a carpenter on shrimp boats while his mother died when he was eight years old.

Pinckney attended school through the seventh grade then worked as a carpenter on shrimp boats before he joined the Navy.

1938

Pinckney enlisted on August 3, 1938, and attended boot camp at Great Lakes, Illinois.

He then reported to the aircraft carrier USS Enterprise (CV-6) as a cook.

At the time, cook was one of the few ratings open in the U.S. Navy to Black sailors.

While serving on the Enterprise, Pinckney took part in a number of battles including the Doolittle Raid, the Battle of Midway, and the Battle of the Eastern Solomons, where the carrier suffered three direct bomb hits that killed 74 sailors and wounded 95.

1942

After repairs at Pearl Harbor, the Enterprise took part in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands in October 1942.

On October 26, the ship was struck by two 250 kg bombs that killed 44 men and wounded 75.

Pinckney's battle station was an ammunition handling room on the ship; when one of bombs penetrated the flight deck; the explosion knocked Pinckney unconscious and killed four of the other five sailors in the compartment with him.

When Pinckney regained consciousness, he discovered the compartments around him wrecked completely.

He made his way through the burning wreckage to an open hangar deck hatch, where he found the only other surviving sailor, Gunner's Mate James Bagwell.

The other sailor could not get up through the hatch and fell unconscious, so Pinckney pulled Bagwell over his shoulder and started climbing the ladder.

During his first attempt, an electrical cable shocked Pinckney and he was thrown back and knocked unconscious again.

When he regained consciousness, he grabbed Bagwell again and carried him through the hatch to safety.

Pinckney then returned down the hatch to search for more survivors.

Pinckney received treatment in Hawaii for shrapnel wounds and third-degree burns before he spent the next four years at Naval Base San Diego.

"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Ship's Cook Third Class William Pinckney, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving on board the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. ENTERPRISE (CV-6), in action against the enemy during the operations of the U.S. Naval Forces north of the Santa Cruz, Islands, on 26 October 1942. When a heavy bomb exploded in the near vicinity, Ship's Cook Third Class Pinckney, standing at his battle station in the ammunition handling room, was knocked unconscious. With several compartments completely wrecked and four of his five comrades killed, he, regaining consciousness, groped his way through the burning and tangled wreckage to a point under an open hangar deck hatch. Just as he was about to escape he found a shipmate, the only other survivor of his party, struggling up through the hatch.

When the man fell unconscious, either from his wounds or from smoke fumes, Ship's Cook Third Class Pinckney, unmindful of his own danger, lifted his comrade through the hatch to safety before he himself battled his way out of the burning and smoke-filled compartment.

By his dauntless courage in saving his comrade's life at great risk to his own, Ship's Cook Third Class Pinckney upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."

1943

He asked Henrietta to her first dance when she was fifteen and married her eight years later in Beaufort on November 6, 1943.

Additionally, Pinckney was a Mason and a member of the American Legion.

In 1943, Pinckney receiving the Navy Cross resulted in coverage across the United States, including in the New York Times, the Call and Post in Cleveland, the Detroit Evening Times, the Jackson Advocate and the Negro History Bulletin.

1945

The 1945 documentary film The Negro Sailor also describes Pinckney's heroism and shows a painting of him saving Bagwell's life.

It also honors Doris Miller and Leonard Roy Harmon.

In that same year, Senator James M. Mead gave a speech on the Senate floor about the "Service of Negroes in the Navy" in which he read Pinckney's award citation.

1946

He left the Navy on June 30, 1946, as a Cook First Class.

Pinckney was one of only four African Americans to receive the Navy Cross during World War II.

Pinckney later served for 26 years in the Merchant Marines as a cook.

While attending elementary school in South Carolina, Pinckney met his future wife, Henrietta.

1976

He died on July 21, 1976, after a two-year struggle with spinal cancer.

He was buried in the Beaufort National Cemetery and was survived by his wife.

They had no children.

Decades later, Beaufort historian and USCB professor Larry Rowland discovered that Pinckney's headstone did not mention him receiving the Navy Cross.

2004

The Arleigh Burke-class destroyer USS Pinckney (DDG 91), commissioned on May 29, 2004, is named in his honor.

In announcing the naming of the ship, Secretary of the Navy Richard Danzig said that Pinckney "embodied the Navy's value of selfless service, at a time when the institution undervalued black service members. His willingness to give so much, and sacrifice for an institution which gave him so little, makes these acts for which he earned the Navy Cross that much more heroic."

2018

In 2018, a new headstone was unveiled that listed the Navy Cross.