Pearl Harbor Remembered

"A day that will live in infamy" were among the very profound words that Franklin Delano Roosevelt uttered in the immediate aftermath of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor, 74 years ago today.

Much has been written and said about this seminal event in, not only American history, but also world history. I have tried several times to share my thoughts, and they usually, as could be expected, fall well short of  the mark I feel they should hit.

It isn't about me. It isn't about trying to have the deepest thoughts or collecting the most hits or likes.

What makes this moment in history so important, at least to me, is the people.

The lives lost.
The lives saved.
The lives changed.
The lives that ceased, at that moment, to ever have a chance at being the same as they would have been had the event not happened.

Here is what makes Pearl Harbor Day remembrances have meaning...

#FridayForts - NBSD

Naval Base San Diego is one of the Navy's largest installations. Sometimes referred to as the 32nd Street Naval Station, It is the principle home port of the U.S Pacific Fleet. That fleet consists of over a quarter million Navy and Marine personnel, and over 200 ships. The NBSD as home port, consists of about 50 of those ships and over 120 tenant commands. The base population is around 20,000 military and 6,000 civilian workers. The base stretches over 1300 acres, both in water and on land.

The land was initially owned and operated by a coalition of ship building firms known as the Emergency Fleet Corporation which was operating under the name of Pacific Marine Construction. With World War 1 coming to a close, the outlook was bleak for PMC. One of the coalition companies, Schofield Engineering held an option to purchase the existing plant, but was delaying a decision as the rest was negotiated back to the city of San Diego. The Navy wanted the area to establish a west coast ship repair facility. They, too, were dragging their feet by not having passed an  appropriations bill for the project. In June of 1920, however, Congress passed an appropriations bill that included 750,000 dollars for the Navy. Still, Schofield hesitated. Roger Welles, then the commandant of the 11th Naval District grew tired and threatened to pull the plug and seek land elsewhere. His threat worked, Schofield relented, and the Navy had her yard.

The base expanded consistently for the next 16 years, functioning as a Destroyer Base, adding torpedo and radio schools and adding land and around 30 buildings. At the outbreak of World War Two, the base expanded heavily, adding expanded fleet training schools and an amphibious force training unit. By October of 1943, it had dramatically outgrown its basic function of a Destroyer Base. It was then re-designated U.S. Repair Base, San Diego. It held that title and function though WW2.

Between 1943 and 1945, conversion, overhaul, maintenance and repairs from damage taken in battle became a primary focus. During this time, over 5100 ships came into port for these reasons. A large part of this process was the construction of 155 dry docks. They were delivered to various bases and also utilized heavily at San Diego. Included in these were seven large floating dry docks from 900 tons up to 3000 tons. These became the central repair and training facilities and were absolutely crucial to the mission of the base during World War 2.

Post war, the mission changed again. This time to providing logistical support (including repair and dry-docking) to the active fleet. With this transition, the base continued to grow, adding buildings, berthing space and land. The barracks grew to accommodate more than 18,000 men. The galley grew large enough to be able to feed 3,500 men in a single siting.

In the 1990's the Long Beach Naval Yard closed. Naval Station San Diego was re-aligned under Commander, Navy Region Southwest and became the hub for all Navy port operations for the region. It was at this time, it became Naval Base San Diego, with the change, assuming all logistical responsibility for the region as well as for Naval Medical Center San Diego.

This base has been an integral part of Navy operations for almost 100 years. It has been home to countless men and women who have put their lives on the line in combat in every engagement since World War 2. During WW2, it was an absolutely vital part of the effort that won the war. It remains no less vital today in its mission. Taken from the website of NBSD:

Our Mission
Our Mission is to deliver the highest standard of support and quality of life services to the Fleet, Fighter and Family.

Our Vision 
We will continually pursue excellence and be the best in all that we do.  Working as one team with one mission, we will be responsive to the needs of the Fleet, Fighter and Family and efficiently deliver top quality capabilities.  We exist to serve and support; our labors will demonstrate effective stewardship of the resources entrusted to us to support the fleet.

Our Philosophy 
Lead by example! Don't give up the base!

Everything you could possibly want to know about the Naval Base San Diego can be found at the Navy's website: NBSD Website.

The people that have passed through the gates, into and out of the harbor, or had anything at all to do with this base have been a part of something excellent. They are what make it so. We can never thank them enough for the role they have played in securing our freedoms, tending to the needs of those in combat, and helping the families of everyone involved. An incredible team effort headed up by some of the best leadership in the history of naval warfare has made an impact on the world that can not be stated strongly enough.

Thank you to all who have served, in any capacity at the Naval Base San Diego. Our flag flies proudly because of your service and sacrifices.

#ThursdayThoughts

In our corps without responsibility and discipline we would not have won the Battle of Iwo Jima

 -LTG "Howlin' Mad" Smith

The raising of that flag on Suribachi means a Marine Corps for the next 500 years

-Secretary of the Navy, James Forrestal to LTG Holland McTyeire "Howlin' Mad" Smith



These two quotes taken together say a lot about the Marine Corps. Who they are, and what they mean to our country. They have achieved a great many things in the course of this nation's history. They would not have had the pattern of success that they enjoy without the hard work, training, discipline, dedication, leadership and heartbeat of every single Marine who ever wore the uniform.

Smith cited responsibility and discipline as primary factors in the Battle of Iwo Jima, one of the hardest fought victories in the history of warfare. Other things certainly came into play on those black sand beaches so staunchly defended by a fortified, entrenched, determined enemy (so determined that around 18,000 of the estimated 21,000 died during the battle. They were not about to give up. In fact, the last ones to be captured after coming out of hiding occurred in 1949). But the greatest factor in the commander's eyes was the responsible actions of disciplined Marines.

We can only hope that Forrestal's quote finds firm footing on the pages of history when looked back on many years from now. I have little doubt, if the Marines continue to act in the manner that Marines have acted since their inception, that they will last as long as this nation lasts.

God Bless the U.S. Marine Corps!

 

The Men of the B-26 Marauder

On November 25. 1940, 75 years ago today, the Glenn L. Martin Company out of Santa Ana, California put an airplane in the sky. It was a Martin B-26 Marauder. During the course of World War Two, they produced 5,288 Marauders. Today, only seven remain. Out of those, only one is flight worthy.

While Martin was producing the planes, a nation was producing the pilots and crews that would use them to help bring down the Axis powers that were trying to remove freedom from the face of the Earth. When the United States Army Air Force called, men answered. The men took the machines and became some of the most successful units of the war. The Marauder went on to record the lowest attrition rate per sortie of any aircraft used by the USAAF in Europe, the primary theater of operation. From the first mission flown by the 22nd Bomb Group on April 5, 1942 to attack a Japanese base at Rabaul, New Britian, to the last bombing  mission flown by the 17th Bomb Group, 1st tactical Air Force when they attacked gun positions on the Isle d'Orelon, France, the men of the Marauders served with distinction and honor, participating in 129,943 missions, dropping 169,382 tons of bombs. The Marauder achieved these records with the loss rate of less than one percent.

There is an outstanding website, originally created in 1998 by the nephew of a Marauder Pilot, Robert Brockett, who flew with the 387th BG, 558th BS on 65 missions. It has since turned into a wonderful place where many crew and their descendants have shared an extraordinary amount of photos and history. I highly suggest you check out b26.com/. I warn you though, if you enjoy wartime photos, set aside some time, because you will be there for a while.

Thank you to all of the men and women who were pilots, gunners, engineers, and crew on this storied aircraft that played such an important role during World War Two. To those who were lost, we are forever grateful for your sacrifices. We will never forget the price you paid for the freedoms we enjoy to this day. To those who made it home, your service is no less appreciated. You fought over the skies of the Pacific and Europe not only for one another, but for your very lives. Back home, the WASPs played an often overlooked or forgotten role. Their contribution was integral in the war effort. All who played a part will forever stand in the history of this great nation on a well deserved but never asked for pinnacle. 

 "Fightin' Cock" of the 450th BS 322nd BG 9th AF

"A Kay Pro's Dream"

"Dee Feater"

596th BS, 397th BG, 98th BW, 9th BC, 9th AF

With D-Day Markings

Pilot, Robert Brockett

Remembering the USS Mount Hood Disaster

71 years ago today, November 10, 1944, we lost a great number of men when the USS Mount Hood (AE-11), an ammunition ship anchored at Seeadler Harbor of Manus Island in Papua New Guinea, exploded. The numbers lost that day vary quite a bit from several different sources, as high as 432 deaths are reported. The cause is also not agreed upon, by official reports, survivors and eyewitnesses. Poor protocol, torpedoes and a kamikaze(reported by two eyewitnesses) are among those listed. 

While we may not know definitively, why it exploded, or even the exact number of men lost, we do know that they need to be remembered and honored for their service and sacrifice. It was a tremendous loss. Countless lives were affected by this incredible disaster. I read one account of a 90 year old widow, suffering from Alzheimer disease who could recall very little of her life, except, according to her son, her 18 year old husband who died that day, who she remembers fondly. 

The explosion of the USS Mount Hood was tremendous. It damaged or destroyed 90 ships in the area. Many were killed and injured on those ships as well. The following chart was taken from an official report filed in December of 1944. 

Let us be thankful for these men. Let us honor these men. Let us never forget these men. 

Ship	Extent of Damage (Estimated man hours required to effect repairs)	Known Dead	Missing	Injured
Mount Hood (AE-11)	Destroyed	1	295	1
Mindanao (ARG-3)	48,000	23		174
Oberrender (De-344)	6,200	1	1	17
Alhena (AKA-9)	3,500	3		56
YMS-293	13,200	2		13
YMS-238	10,000	1	1	13
YMS-49	8,700	1		12
YMS-340	1,837	1		10
YMS-286	*Serious			12
YMS-243	1,424			12
Cebu (ARG-6)	841	5		6
YMS-39	42
YMS-71	16			1
YMS-81	150			3
YMS-140	*Minor			4
YMS-319	81
YMS-335	60
Potawatomi (ATF-109)	45
Piedmont (AD-17)	1,400	1		3
Walter C. Mann (DE-412)	2
YMS-1	35			1
Argonne (AG-31)	150	2	2	12
Cacapon (AO-52)	325
Abarenda (IX-131)	225
YF-681	3,520
YMS-52	254			3
YO-77	23	1
Aries (AK-51)	30
Preserver (ARS-8)	107
Young (DD-580)	*Superficial	1
Self-propelled water barge	1,000
Kyne (DD-744)	*Superficial	1
Talbot (APD-7)	*Extensive minor
Saginaw Bay (CVE-82)	*Insignificant
Lyman (DE-302)	*Slight
7 LCMs Boat Pool 15	Destroyed		19
Pontoon Barge	Destroyed
LCM attached to USSSierra	Destroyed		4
LSM attached to USSBriareus	Destroyed		3
13 small boats or craft	Sunk or damaged beyond repair
33 small boats or craft	*Damaged
Section Base, Navy 3205			1	2
YMS-39				2
Petrof Bay (CVE-80)				5
YMS-342	*Minor
TOTAL	107,367	45	327	371
	* No estimate furnished.

Battle of Leyte Gulf

The Battle of Leyte Gulf was fought between October 23 and October 26, 1944. It is generally considered to be the largest naval battle of World War II, involving some 370 ships and almost 2000 planes. When this four day battle ended, Japan's naval capabilities and critical oil supply lines are practically wiped out. This battle was also notable as the first time, large scale, organized Kamikaze attacks were carried out.

The losses on both sides were heavy. The Allies (mostly US, Australia was involved) had around 3000 casualties(around 1000 killed) and had six ships sunk in the battle. Japan lost over 12,000 men and 30 hips directly, many more were sank as a result of the battle.

The six ships we lost can be misleading. For example, the Princeton lost 108 men, but the Birmingham, undamaged in battle, was heavily damaged as a result of trying to save the Princeton. As a result, the Birmingham lost 233 men and had twice as many injured. That said, today we would like to remember all who fought in the Battle of Leyte Gulf, the tens of thousands who survived and the thousand who perished. The terrible things they saw could never be forgotten. But let us not forget the incredible heroism displayed by so many in those days either. Many, many lives were saved by those who placed themselves in harm's way during the heat of the battle. I'm sure many people went to their graves 70 years later who never forgot that person who reached out to them when all hope was lost and rescued them, some may not have ever known their names, but they never forgot the actions.

Lost during the battle were:

USS Princeton (CVL-23)

108 lost

USS Gambier Bay (CVE-73)

137 lost

USS St. Lo (CVE-63)

126 lost

USS Hoel (DD-533)

252 lost

USS Johnston (DD-557)

183 lost

USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413)

90 lost

Navy To Honor Woody Williams

Hershel Woodrow "Woody" Williams turned 92 about 3 weeks ago. He is the last living Medal of Honor recipient from Iwo Jima. There were 27 awarded, 14 posthumously. He has been honored a number of ways since that day, February 23, 1945. He has received various medals, awards, and commendations, been named to "walls of fame", had armories, bridges, and athletic centers named after him. People have recognized his service in a number of ways, all very deserving.

In addition to the Medal of Honor, he also received a Purple Heart for injuries he sustained in fighting on Iwo Jima. Woody did an amazing job on the battlefield and his legacy is well known. There are two lengthy interviews with him that are both very much worth watching, one, on C-Span in 2006 and the other with the Pritzker Institute in 2008. I have linked them below.

C-Span Interview, 2006

Pritzker Military Museum and Library Interview, 2008

Yesterday, October 20, 2015, the United States Navy announced that Woody Williams will be honored by naming a ship after him. The ship will be an expeditionary sea base. There is no specific date for when the ship would be built or dedicated.

Williams said that he was, "extremely excited and humbled” when he received a call Tuesday morning by U.S. Navy Secretary Ray Mabus, who told him the news. “It's almost beyond my imagination ... that the secretary of the Navy — and America as a whole — would think me worthy to receive such an honor,”.

You can read the entire article, from the Charleston Gazette-Mail, where it talks a little more about the honor and Williams' history.

Charleston Gazette-Mail article

I am very glad that Woody is being honored in this way. I only hope that he is able to stick around long enough to actually see it happen. Thank you Woody, for the incredible service that you have performed, not only to our country, but also to other veterans. Your love for them is obvious and exemplary. 

 Williams speaking to Iwo Jima vets in 2010

Truman presenting the Medal of Honor

USS West Virginia (BB-48)

The USS West Virginia was a Colorado Class battleship launched in 1921, commissioned on December 1, 1923. Sent to Hawaii in 1940 to guard against a potential Japanese attack, she was moored in Pearl Harbor when that attack happened. She was hit by two bombs, both duds, and 6 torpedoes. She was sunk with the loss of 106 men. Rescuers can be seen pulling a man from the water around the West Virginia below.

After salvage and repairs, she sailed to Puget Sound Navy Yard for extensive repair and re-fitting, adding over 90 twenty and forty mm cannons. In addition to her main 16 and 5 inch guns, she was very formidable upon return to the Pacific. When she left Puget Sound, she headed for Leyte Gulf in the Philippines, where she participated in the landings and later the Battle of Leyte Gulf. She also was involved in later actions around the islands of the Philippines. She also participated in the Iwo Jima and Okinawa campaigns, using her guns to great effect. At the end of the war, she was in Tokyo Bay as the Japanese surrendered. The USS West Virginia ended her war duty in Operation Magic Carpet, which brought home over 8 million Americans fighting around the globe. She made three trips as part of this homecoming operation.

Today, September 23, 1944 is the day the mighty USS West Virginia returned to Pearl Harbor and beagn her service avenging the attack there almost 3 years earlier. She was the last of the ships damaged to return to service. Last, but not least by any means. She earned 5 battle stars during World War II.

We salute those 106 men who died from the USS West Virginia on December 7, 1941. We also salute all of those who served aboard her, before and after the war. The service and sacrifices are immeasurable.

The Ghost Blimp

On this day, August 16, 1942, one of the oddest stories from WW2 occurred. Lt. Ernest Cody and Ens. Charles Adams took off from Treasure Island near San Francisco in the US Navy blimp, L-8. Their mission was aerial recon of the west coast, mainly sub hunting. What followed remains a mystery even today.

There is a great website dedicated to telling this story much better than I could. CheckSix.com

All I can add is how thankful I am for Cody and Adams. These two men were in a very dangerous position due to the fact that they were practically defenseless in their ship. Cody left a wife behind and both men were respected Navy men who were missed by their fellow crew and friends and family.

Lt. Ernest Cody

Ensign Charles Adams

USS Jarvis (DD-393)

The USS Jarvis was one of eight Bagley-class destroyers(all of which had a rich history) built for the US Navy. It was the second ship named for James C Jarvis, a 13 year old mid-shipman who was killed during the Quasi War with France(his story is hard to believe in itself). It was launched in May of 1937. It was armed with few guns, four 5 inch guns and four .50 cal guns, but it was also armed with two depth charge racks and twelve 21 inch torpedo tubes.

The Jarvis was present during the attack on Pearl Harbor. She was there undergoing minor repairs when the attack started. As much as we know about the disaster that took place that day, the entry in the ship's deck log by Ensign W. F. Greene seems almost comically oblivious to what was happening. It simply said, "0758, hostilities with Japan commenced with air raid on Pearl Harbor. Went to general quarters". The Jarvis actually engaged and shot down four planes that fateful day and received only minor damage before being sent out with others on Anti Submarine Warfare patrols.

She was attached to Task Force 14 and sent to help the Marines defending Wake Island until that operation was cancelled. She was then part of the force including the carrier Lexington, when the oiler USS Neches, dispatched to refuel the group, came under torpedo attack. That attack resulted in the sinking of Neches and the death of 57 of her crew. The Jarvis rescued 182 survivors from that tragedy. She spent the next 4 months escorting around Australia until recalled to the group heading to Guadalcanal.

Jarvis supported troop landings and patrolled the area south of Savo Island until news of an impending attack came in. She then moved out into Ironbottom Sound between Guadalcanal and Florida Island. As the torpedo bombers appeared, the Jarvis fired with all guns. The defense of US ships allowed only 9 of 26 bombers to make it through. As she had maneuvered to protect the, soon doomed, Vincennes, she shot down one of the bombers, but not before it had released a torpedo, which found its mark. The explosion stopped her dead in the water and killed 14 of her crew. She was safely towed to Tulagi and sent 7 injured crewmen to safety.

Heavily damaged, sporting a 50 foot gash in her side, but considered seaworthy, she was ordered to proceed to New Hebrides for repair. Apparantly, because of damaged radios, they never got the order. the skipper decided to head towards Australia for repair and was unnoticed by any other ships as he departed. As she limped near Savo Island, the incoming Japanese attack noticed her and engaged but did no damage. That Japanese group would moments later do major damage to America's fleet in the Battle of Savo Island.

She was spotted just after 3 am by the USS Blue, but waived of help(still no radio communications). A US plane also spotted her just after dawn. That would be the last Americans that saw the USS Jarvis. The Japanese spotter here, and mistaking her for an escaping cruiser from Savo, dispatched 31 planes to intercept. The hit the Jarvis with a barrage of bombs, bullets and torpedoes. According to Japanese records, the Jarvis broke apart and sank at 1 pm on August 9, 1942. None of the 233 men who remained on board survived.

We will never forget those who served and died aboard the USS Jarvis. That last action, while deadly for all aboard, likely saved many others, on damaged ships at Savo, who were the intended target of those 31 planes. As it happened, they were all able to make it to port. The crew of the USS Jarvis laid down their lives in defense of freedom and those others who were fighting for that same cause.

USS Jarvis (DD-393)

USS Quincy (CA-39)

The third ship of our Savo Island group is the USS Quincy. Like her sister ships, the Astoria and the Vincennes, she was a New Orleans Class heavy cruiser. She was slightly smaller than her sister ships, carrying only 807 men, and slightly fewer smaller guns. Launched June 19, 1935, she spent much of her early years in the Atlantic. Protecting American interests during the Spanish Civil War, she helped to evacuate many refugees. She took part in goodwill tours up and down the South American coasts. She also took part in several Fleet Problems, large-scale naval exercises conducted between 1923 and 1940. 

When World War 2 erupted, the Quincy was used from the northern Atlantic to the tip of Africa escorting convoys until the U.S. was drawn in. Upon that, she was retro-fitted and sent to the Pacific as part of the battle group headed for Guadalcanal. Once there, prior to the Marine landing, she destroyed multiple Japanese installations, including an oil field. During the landing, she provided fire support for the 11,000 Marines going ashore.

When the Japanese fleet surprised the American forces patrolling the area on the night of August 9, 1942, the Quincy was just coming to general quarters. Spotlights lit her up and before her gun crews were ready to fire, she was hit. The Quincy was caught in a crossfire from three Japanese ships. As Captain Samuel Moore started turning the ship, she was hit by two torpedoes. The Quincy only managed to fire a couple of salvos before being hit heavily again, killing almost everyone on the bridge, including Moore. One more torpedo strike silenced her guns and left he dead in the water. At 2:38am, less than an hour after the first shots were fired, the Quincy slipped under the water into Ironbottom sound, the first ship sank that night.

370 men died from the USS Quincy and another 167 were wounded. Let us never forget the way these men served and paid such an incredibly heavy price. They were called to fight and they answered the call. This was the first action by almost all of them. The Quincy took part in only this one, tragically, short-lived battle. Thank you to the men who served aboard this ship. As a nation, we should be forever indebted to them and all of the others who fought for our freedoms.

USS Quincy (CA-39)

USS Astoria (CA-34)

The USS Astoria was a sister ship to the USS Vincennes that we featured yesterday. The Astoria was also a New Orleans Class heavy cruiser. She was launched on December 16, 1933. Her crew consisted of 899 men, officers and enlisted. Like the others of her class, she had nine 8 inch and eight 5 inch guns along with several smaller cannons and machine guns.

After commissioning, the Astoria took part in normal peacetime patrols as part of cruiser divisions 7 and 6. In March of 1939, she delivered the remains of Japanese Ambassador Hiroshi Saito back to Japan in an effort to express gratitude to Japan for having done the same for our deceased ambassador, Edgar Bancroft, 13 years earlier. She was then assigned to Pearl Harbor and began patrols between there and Midway. When Pearl Harbor was attack, the Astoria was about 700 miles away. Soon after, she was part of a task force sent to rescue the Marines at Wake Island. That operation was unfortunately recalled and the island fell into the hands of the Japanese and started four years of hell for those Marines and civilians stationed there. There was also a plan, soon after to bombard the island, but the oiler accompanying the force was torpedoed. Without the fuel, they had to abort that mission also.

The next series of events, culminating with Japanese landings on New Guinea, saw the Astoria being shuffle from aborted mission to aborted mission. Things changed daily in the early days of the Pacific war. There mission became threefold around New Guinea, they were to protect the flank of the carriers, to shield Port Moresby from further enemy thrusts, and to cover the arrival of the Army at Noumea. That operation sunk 4 Japanese ships and heavily damaged 6 more. It was devastating for Japan for that and for slowing the timetable for their attacks. Japan dispatched two more carriers while the US was bolstering its forces as well. This led to the Battle of the Coral Sea. During this battle, the Astoria took part in multiple battles that saw significant loss to both sides, culminating with the loss of the carrier USS Lexington. It did prevent the Japanese from achieving the objective of Port Moresby, however. After this, the Astoria departed for Pearl Harbor again. After 3 days, she left again, with the hasily repaired USS Lexington carrier group. The headed toward Midway island.

During the Battle of Midway, the men of the Astoria fought valiantly to defend the group, specifically, the carrier USS Yorktown. Volley after volley of Japanese attacks finally caused the Yorktown to succumb and abandon ship. She was left floating until after the Japanese retreat, one sub snuck in and delivered the final blow, sinking the carrier on June 7, 1942. The Astoria had scored multiple victories over enemy aircraft during the battle.

After going through repairs and re-fits at Pearl Harbor, the Astoria headed for Guadalcanal. There, she defended from multiple counter attacks as the Marines landed. The Japanese force managed to sneak up on the Astoria, which was situated as the northern watch along with the Vincennes and the Quincy off of Savo Island.

The first four salvos missed their mark, but the fifth scored a direct hit on the Astoria's superstructure. It was also quickly hit in the number one turret and the airplane hangar, which started a very bright fire that illuminated the ship. For the next 35 minutes, she was pounded severely until she lost all power and lay dead in the water. At that moment, the Japanese inexplicably turned and fled. The crew battled for over 10 hours to fight the fires and save the ship, but were unable to do so as she slipped underneath the water and into Ironbottom sound just after noon on August 9, 1942.

Officially, the lives lost from the USS Astoria stands at 219. However, further research from Brent Jones, which can be found on his wonderful Astoria tribute site, has the number lost at 234. Those heros names can be found on Brent's site, USS Astoria. You can visit the entire site here. He has done a wonderful job in helping us to remember these men and those that survived the Battle of Savo Island. And that, we should do, never forget the service of these men and the price they paid for it.

USS Astoria (CA-34)

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