USS Vincennes (CA-44)

The Battle of Savo Island took place as part of the battle for Guadalcanal during August 8-9, 1942. During the Savo battle, three heavy cruisers were sunk and one was heavily damaged, two destroyers were also heavily damaged and 1077 men were lost.

The USS Vincennes was a New Orleans Class Heavy Cruiser launched May, 21, 1936. It was outfitted with nine 8 inch guns and eight 5 inch guns along with several other smaller guns and machine guns. It also had 4 float planes on board. The Vincennes carried a crew of 952, officers and enlisted.

The Vincennes was part of Task Force 18, built around the USS Hornet. As such, it was an escort during the famed Doolittle Raid over Tokyo on April 18, 1942. That mission didn't inflict significant materiel damage on the Japanese homeland, but it sent a very strong message, "you are not untouchable".

A few months later, during early June, the Vincennes had joined up with a large force that was approaching Midway Island. During that battle, she took part by shooting down at least two Japanese planes and taking part in what turned out to be a failed screening of the USS Yorktown. A Japanese sub eventually slipped through and torpedoed the listing Yorktown and the destroyed Hammann. Those ships lost 141 men and 80 men respectively. The Japanese lost far more ships and men in the decisive US victory.

In August, the Vincennes was part of a large group sitting offshore of Guadalcanal. She took part in the pre-landing bombardment and the defense of subsequent Japanese aerial counter-attacks. During those defenses, she shot down at least nine, including seven Japanese "Betty" GM4 bombers. Later that afternoon, US reconnaissance spotted a group of Japanese ships heading south towards the group.

The Vincennes was placed alongside her sister ships, the USS Astoria and the USS Quincy as part of a blocking force designed to protect the remaining landing craft which were going ashore. They were part of a force of 8 cruisers and 15 destroyers positioned around Savo Island. They were expecting a dawn air attacks launched from the approaching ships. Instead, the Japanese attacked during the middle of the night with the guns and torpedoes aboard their ships.

Of the ships gathered in the area, on 5 cruisers and 7 destroyers were close enough to be involved. Most of those were part of the southern point of attack, the three sister ships sat by themselves to the north. At 1:45am, the crews saw flashes and heard the guns firing to the south. They were unaware of the force headed north to engage them.

At 1:55, Japanese searchlights lit up the Vincennes. They responded with shells from her heavy guns towards the lights. Less than a minute later, the Japanese shells began falling on the Vincennes. Several key areas were hit, including the radio antenna trunks, which then prevented several orders from reaching vital operations, such as engine rooms. Without the ability to oncrease speed, the Japanese were able to stay homed in and delivered another rounds of direct hits. In an effort to evade the heavy fire, she turned starboard only to be hit with two "Long Lance" torpedoes, each carrying almost an 1100 pound warhead. Direct hits to the engine rooms. The Vincennes now sat dead in the water and began to list. She had been hit 85 times with 8 and 5 inch shells. 

At 2:10, only 15 minutes after the assault began, the Japanese turned and left. only 20 minutes later, the order to abandon ship was given by Captain Frederick Reifkohl. He would later write, "The magnificent Vincennes, which we were all so proud of, and which I had the honor to command since 23 April 1941, rolled over and then sank at about 0250, 9 August 1942, about 2½ miles east of Savo Island ... Solomons Group, in some 500 fathoms [910 m] of water."

The Vincennes lost, amazingly, only 332 men in the dark waters of Iron Bottom Sound that night. With as many shells as hit her, the survivors could truly be thankful that they were not counted as lost as well. In just a few short months, they had been part of 3 highly defining moments of the Pacific war. The Vincennes sank that night and would recieve two battle stars for her short, but dedicated service. The men of the Vincennes played a big role in the early going of World War II. We can be thankful that they what they were asked to do and did so valiantly.

I have searched for a list of the crew but have not been able to find one. Even so, we can still remember what they gave in service to their country. Many paid the ultimate price, and for that were should be forever grateful. They have taken their place in history among many others who were called to service during a time of unimaginable horrors. They answered that call. Thank you, men of the USS Vincennes. Your service will never be forgotten.

USS Vincennes (CA-44

7 Survivors, Photo by M.S. Hennessy