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The Search for Neosho Survivors

Report of The U.S.S. Helm

DD388/H2-10

U.S.S. Helm

May 22, 1942  

1.  In compliance with references (a) and (b), this vessel departed Noumea at 1922 GCT, 13 May, 1942 and proceeded towards the designated search area at speed of advance 13.5 knots.

2.  Search was commenced at 1950 GCT, 15 May, 1942, speed 20 knots, zigzagging; speed of advance 19 knots, (see track chart, enclosure (A)). At 0325 GCT, 16 May, sighted the broken half of a Carley life raft, floating a few feet below the surface.  At 0357 GCT, 16 May, sighted an empty NEOSHO whaleboat. This boat, which was full of water, had been rigged for sailing. The boat was sunk by ramming. At 0740 GCT discontinued search for the day due to darkness.

3.  At 2000 GCT, 16 May, resumed search. At 2145 GCT sighted a life raft with men on it. This raft was sighted by the rangefinder operator during a sweep of the horizon with the director. At 2210 lowered a boat, towed the raft alongside, and took aboard the following named men:

SMITH, W.A.,  Seaman, Second Class

TUNNEL, T. O., Seaman, Second Class

ROLSTON, J., Seaman, Second Class

BRIGHT, K.T., Seaman, Second Class

These men were all in critical condition due to exposure, and were placed in the care of the Medical Officer (see enclosure (C)).

4.  The men were immediately questioned as to the possible existence of other survivors. They stated that they were the sole survivors of sixty-eight men who abandoned the NEOSHO on four life rafts on 7 May, and who remained together throughout the ensuing days. When rescued, the men were floating on two liferafts, one lashed on top of the other. The men stated that they had lashed the rafts together a day or two before and had then cut the other two rafts adrift.

5.  At 2226 GCT, 16 May, resumed search, confining subsequent operations to the area to the westward of the last reported position of NEOSHO (see track chart). At 0505 GCT, BRIGHT, K.T., Sea. 2c, died as a result of exposure. Burial was held at 0705 GCT.  At 0740 GCT discontinued search due to darkness and set course for Brisbane. Originated reference (c).

6.  All searching was done at 20 knots speed. The zigzag plan in use provided:

(a). Maximum difference between course steered on any leg and base course:  30 degrees.

(b). Maximum time on any leg:  10 min.

(c). Maximum distance gained to right and left of base course:  2.3 miles

(d). Distance made good:  95% of distance run.

7.  SMITH, W.A., Sea. 2c, deserves special mention and great credit for his courage and spirit at the time of the rescue.  The men on the raft sighted the ship before they themselves were sighted.  Although greatly weakened by exposure, being even too weak to wave anything, SMITH got himself to a standing position in order that the raft might be more readily sighted, and remained thus, propped up with an oar, until taken off.  It was his standing figure which first caught the attention of the man searching through the rangefinder.  It is the opinion of the Commanding Officer, based on necessarily brief observation of, and conversation with, the survivors, that SMITH assumed the leadership of the group and by his courage and will to live materially contributed to the survival of the other men.

8.  The survivors stated that they twice saw patrol planes over them, but were not seen by the planes.  This circumstance points to the extreme desirability of having life rafts painted a bright yellow or some other color which will attract attention.  As noted in paragraph 7 above, difficulty was experienced in sighting the raft from the ship.  It is recommended that life rafts be painted yellow and provided with suitable covers.

<Signed>

C.E. Carroll.

Copy to:  CO NEOSHO.

 

Table of Contents: U.S.S. Neosho  (AO-23)

U.S.S. Neosho (AO-23) Home Page   Specifications of the U.S.S. Neosho The Four U.S.S. Neoshos   Photo Gallery of the U.S.S. Neosho   The Pearl Harbor Attack  (December 7, 1941) Prelude to War:  Conflict in the Far East Bill Leu's Early Years The U.S.S. Neosho at Pearl Harbor Bill Leu Interview:  Pearl Harbor Attack U.S. Navy Action Report:  U.S.S. Neosho   The Battle of the Coral Sea  (May 1942) The Battle of the Coral Sea:  Summary Battle Action:  April 30 - May 4, 1942  Battle Action:  May 5 - May 7, 1942 Battle Action:  May 8, 1942 The U.S.S. Neosho at Coral Sea May 7, 1942:  The Attack May 8, 1942:  Waiting For Rescue May 9, 1942:  Fading Hope May 10, 1942:  Neosho Sighted May 11, 1942:  Rescue List of Survivors & Casualties

The Battle of the Coral Sea  (May 1942 - cont.) Bill Leu Interview:  Battle of the Coral Sea U.S. Navy Action Reports:  Coral Sea Action Report of the U.S.S. Neosho Action Report of the U.S.S. Sims U.S.S. Helm Report Other Ships at Coral Sea The U.S.S. Sims (Neosho's Escort) The U.S.S. Henley (Neosho's Rescuer) The U.S.S. Helm (Rescued Life Raft) Coral Sea Scrapbook S.F. Examiner Article, July 10, 1942   Aftermath President Bush's Speech at Pearl Harbor Seattle Times:  Bill Leu at Pearl Harbor Obituary of Captain John S. Phillips   U.S.S. Neosho Veteran's Forum   Sources & Further Information

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