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Survivors and Casualties
The
U.S.S. Neosho at Coral Sea
List
of Survivors
and Casualties
This
is a partial list of the survivors and casualties of the attacks on the tanker U.S.S.
Neosho and destroyer U.S.S. Sims by Japanese dive-bombers on May 7, 1942 during
the Battle of the Coral Sea. Of the 546 men on board these ships that
morning, 421 men died and 125 survived.
Unfortunately, there are no
comprehensive sources available on the Internet or in books that include the names of the crewmen who
served aboard the Neosho
and Sims, so I've had to piece this together from various
sources. In early 2005, a website reader sent me two mostly-complete lists
of casualties from the Navy Bureau of Personnel, one for the U.S.S.
Neosho and one for the U.S.S. Sims, which I've incorporated.
I'm still compiling this list and will be adding to it over
time. If
you know the names of any survivors or casualties of the U.S.S.
Neosho or the U.S.S. Sims, please contact
me and I'll post the information on this page. If you'd care to share
any stories
about anyone who was on the Neosho or Sims, I'll be happy to post
them on my Veterans Forum
page.
* Name Obtained from Navy Bureau of Personnel
List
** Name Submitted by website reader
U.S.S.
Neosho
Survivors
from U.S.S. Neosho (Partial List)
SURVIVING
OFFICERS |
Name |
Rank |
Comments |
Henry K. Bradford |
Lieutenant |
. |
Thomas M. Brown
|
Lieutenant Commander |
Gunnery Officer |
Charles C. Cook
|
Lieutenant (j.g.) |
. |
William G. Driscoll |
Lieutenant (j.g.) |
. |
Francis J. Firth |
Lieutenant Commander |
Executive Officer; WIA. |
Leonard
F. Gearin
|
Ensign |
. |
Robert N. Hargis |
Ensign, D-M |
|
Paul N. Howell |
Ensign |
. |
Estul F. Nessmith |
Lieutenant (j.g.) |
. |
John S.
Phillips |
Captain |
Captain |
Kenneth S. Terrill |
Ensign |
. |
Louis Verbrugge |
Lieutenant |
Engineering Officer |
SURVIVING ENLISTED MEN |
Name |
Rank |
Comments |
Sidney
Arboneaux ** |
|
. |
Charles Baker |
Unknown |
|
Harold C. Bagwell |
Metalsmith Second Class |
. |
Wilbert A. Becker |
Mach. Mate Second Class |
Wounded in action.* |
Herbert L.
Bennett |
Fireman First
Class |
From Texas. Later
served on USS Neosho (AO-48). |
Robert T. Boehm |
Shipfitter Second Class |
. |
Lawrence Boyer |
Metalsmith First Class |
Wounded in action.* |
William D. Boynton
|
Seaman Second Class |
. |
Harold Bratt |
Machinist's Mate First Class |
. |
Tony Bustos |
Unknown |
|
Francis E. Chapin |
Fireman Third Class |
Wounded in action.* |
Grover Chessmore |
Unknown |
. |
George E. Cruttenden |
Seaman First Class |
Wounded in action. |
Harvey L. Dyer |
Water Tender First Class |
Wounded in action.* |
Meredith E. Ebbert |
Seaman First Class |
. |
Frederick W.
Fabian |
Machinist's Mate First Class |
Wounded in action.* |
Edward A. Flaherty |
Electrician's Mate 3rd Class |
Transferred from
USS Portland to
USS Neosho on May 6, 1942. |
Oswald J. Frenette |
Unknown |
|
Charles
A. Hagewood |
Seaman First Class |
.
|
Jerry Hall |
Seaman Second Class |
Wounded in action.* |
Iris F. Hoffman |
Seaman Second Class |
Wounded in action.* |
Robert W. Hoag |
Chief Pharmacists Mate |
. |
Patrick J. Jackson |
Boatswain's Mate 1st Class |
. |
William C.
King |
Construction Elect. Mate |
Wounded in action.* |
Uriel H. Leach
|
Chief W.O., Machinist |
Wounded in action. |
William A. Leu |
Fireman Third Class |
From
Washington. Later
served on USS Neosho (AO-48). Died in 2003. |
Robert Ledford
|
Seaman First Class |
. |
Russell Lollar |
Unknown |
. |
John E. Lowe |
Storekeeper Third Class |
Wounded in action.* |
Nicholas
G. Marchese |
Ship's Cook Second Class |
. |
Vernon R. Manners |
Boatswain |
. |
Lorenza
McNair |
OC First Class |
Wounded in action.* |
Arthur R. McPherson
|
Seaman Second Class |
. |
Doug J. Nelson |
Signalman Third Class |
Transferred
from USS Portland to USS Neosho on May 6, 1942. |
Elvin G. Newman |
Seaman Second Class |
Wounded in action.* |
James T. Nix |
Machinist's Mate 1st Class |
Wounded in action. |
Gilbert M. O'Grady |
O-1 |
. |
Samuel Ogur |
Chief Boatswain's Mate |
Wounded in action.* |
Leopoldo Paloma |
Officer's Steward 1st Class |
. |
Thomas J. Parker |
Boatswain's Mate |
. |
William S. Parker |
Chief Radioman |
. |
Loren B.
Parkhurst |
Fireman Third Class |
. |
Ralph Patterson |
Unknown |
|
Albert V. Paulek |
SF Third Class |
Wounded in action.* |
LeRoy Pearce |
Unknown |
. |
Gilbert Percifield |
Unknown |
. |
Walter J. Perowitz |
Chief Machinist's Mate |
. |
John J. Peterson |
Seaman Second
Class |
Rank is probable but
unverified. |
Alex Pupkin |
Yeoman First Class |
. |
Wallace P. Quillan |
Seaman First
Class |
Also a survivor of the
USS
Arizona at Pearl Harbor. |
Junior E. Reigle |
Unknown |
|
Anthony Rella |
|
|
Harold A. Reynolds |
Fireman First Class |
Wounded in action. |
William Romanofsky |
Storekeeper Second Class |
. |
Jack Rolston |
Seaman Second Class |
Survivor of 68-man raft. From
Missouri.
Last survivor
of the raft. Died in 2010. |
Cecil
Sawyer |
Unknown |
|
Grant Seward |
Unknown |
. |
Francis J. Shea |
Chief Gunner's Mate |
. |
Leroy S. Shogren |
Apprentice Seaman |
Wounded in action. |
Wayne Simmons |
Machinists Mate Second Class |
. |
Addison F. Smith |
Quartermaster Third Class |
. |
William A. Smith |
Seaman Second Class |
Rescued by U.S.S. Helm,
May 16, 1942. Survivor of 68-man raft. From Idaho. |
Wilbern L. Stovall |
Chief Boatswain's Mate |
. |
Lorenzo Tyner |
Officer's Cook Second Class |
. |
William J. Ward |
Pharmacist's Mate First Class |
. |
James L. Watchler |
Coxwain |
. |
James M. Weber |
Quartermaster Second Class |
. |
Samuel Wells |
Unknown |
. |
Ernest W. Wobrell |
Chief Electrician's Mate |
. |
John H. Wortham |
Mess Attendant Second Class |
. |
Plus 32 other men
Casualties
from U.S.S. Neosho (I believe this is a complete list)
Name |
Rank |
Comments |
Robert T. Allsopp |
Lieutenant J.G. |
Killed in action. |
Mitchell E. Andrews |
Seaman First
Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Missouri. |
Beverly Annis |
Seaman Second
Class |
Died on the
68-man raft. From Walnut Ck., CA. |
Bruce Annis
|
Seaman Second
Class |
MIA
on May 7, 1942. Brother of Beverly Annis. |
Benjamin F.
Baggarly |
Chief Construction Mech. |
Died on U.S.S. Neosho
on May 9, 1942. |
Floyd D. Bailey |
Seaman Second
Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Illinois. |
Carl F. Baird |
Seaman First
Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Nebraska. |
Frank J. Baker |
Seaman Second
Class |
Killed in action. |
Frank Balzer |
Seaman Second
Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Missouri. |
William J. Bannen |
BKR First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Stuart C. Battenfield |
Fireman Third Class |
Reported missing in action
on May 7, 1942. |
Ernest J. Beech |
Seaman Second
Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From California. |
Louis R. Blackburn |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Richard M. Blood |
Yeoman Third
Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From California. |
Edward C. Blue |
Fireman Third
Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From California. |
Harry F
Bradshaw |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Kenneth T. Bright |
Seaman Second Class |
Survivor of the 68-man raft.
Rescued by Helm, May 16, 1942. Died May 17, 1942. From Missouri. |
Leon M. Brooks |
Construction Mech. 2nd Class |
Died on U.S.S. Neosho
on May 8, 1942. |
Voris V. Brownfield |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Arthur Bunch,
Jr. |
Seaman Second Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Missouri. |
George Bundy |
Gunner's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Dennis D. Burger |
Construction Mech. Third Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Iowa. |
Albert J. Busky |
Gunner's Mate Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Thomas H. Cameron |
Gunner's Mate Third Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From New Jersey. |
Louis R. Cardy |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Herman E. Carter |
Machinist's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Mark A. Casella |
Quartermaster Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Henry T. Chapman |
Fireman
First Class |
Died on U.S.S. Neosho on May 9,
1942 |
Davis M. Charlton |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
David A. Christian |
Fireman Third Class |
Died on U.S.S. Neosho on May 9, 1942 |
Richard C. Clark |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Willie Coates |
Mate Second Class |
Died on U.S.S. Neosho on May 10,
1942 |
Allie Collette |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Leland R. Collier |
Electrician's Mate Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Virgil W. Colson |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Claud C. Cooper |
Gunner's Mate Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Earl I. Couse |
Storekeeper Third Class |
Died
on the 68-man raft. From California. |
Ross C. Covina |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Noel E. Craven |
Seaman Second Class |
Died on U.S.S. Neosho on May 10, 1942.
From Missouri. |
Rex B. Crawley |
Radioman
Third Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Idaho. |
Lynn J. Creech |
Fireman Third Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Idaho. |
Louis B. Crosby |
Signalman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Loren B. Crouch |
Storekeeper Second Class |
Reported KIA on May 7, 1942.
From Texas. |
Pearlin G. Cox |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Rex B. Crowley |
Radioman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Russell L. Croxen |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Harold V. Cummins |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Manuel S.
Davilla |
Seaman Second Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From California. |
August M.
D'Hondt |
Seaman First Class |
Died on the 68-man raft. |
Kenneth L. Dowdy |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Roland Q. Dudley |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Audress C.
Dunn |
Fireman Second Class |
Died on the Neosho.
From Mounds, Illinois. |
Edmund L. Dunn |
Radioman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
James H. Ellis |
Fireman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Fermin Felosofo |
OC Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Attilio J. Ferrari |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Dale F. Flory |
Watertender Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
William K. Forbes |
Radioman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Howard J.
Foster |
Fireman Third Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Washington. |
Robert L. Fredrickson |
Storekeeper Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Herman
A. Frohnhafer |
Seaman Second Class |
Died on the 68-man raft. |
Delvan C. Gaylord |
Electrician's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Joseph A. Gelinas |
Watertender First Class |
Killed in action.* |
George W. Goff |
Fireman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Hugh T. Gonia |
Seaman First Class |
Died on U.S.S. Neosho on May
10, 1942. |
Robert K. Gracey |
Fireman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
John D. Greathouse |
Lieutenant (j.g.) |
Killed in action.* |
Brevis M. Gregston |
Seaman First Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Texas. |
Luis Gutierrez |
Seaman Second Class. |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From California. |
Dale W. Guthrie |
Fireman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Julio M. Guzman |
Seaman Second Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Guam. |
William C. Hackworth |
Fireman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
William Hames |
Seaman First
Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Missouri. |
Charles A. Hamrick |
Seaman Second
Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Texas. |
George L. Hanis |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
James W.
Hardwick |
Seaman Second
Class |
Manned forward gun battery.
Missing in action. From Texas. |
Otis A. Hartman |
Fireman First
Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Missouri. |
Albin M. Haugen |
Machinist's Mate First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Elliott D. Haynes |
Gunner's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Grover H. Hough |
Seaman Second Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Missouri. |
James K. Howard |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
John C. Hudson |
Fireman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
David G. Huntsman |
Seaman Second
Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Idaho. |
Marchell R. Hurst |
Machinist's Mate
First Class |
Died on the 68-man raft. |
Donald E. Hyde |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Henry A. Irons |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Alfred J. Jablonski |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Ernest C. Johnson |
Seaman Second
Class |
Died on the 68-man raft. |
Robert Johnson |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Herbert Jones |
Unknown |
Missing in action. |
Marvin E. Kynerd |
Seaman Second
Class |
Died on the 68-man raft. |
Elbert F. Lacy |
Signalman First Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Kentucky. |
Lewis L. Lane |
Fireman Second
Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From California. |
Llewellyn L. Larson |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Harold W. Levy |
Seaman Second Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From California. |
Robert L. Lormis |
Seaman Second Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Missouri. |
Chan Lyman |
Ensign |
Killed in action.* |
Clyde B. Lynch |
Watertender First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Ralph H. Magnuson |
Machinist's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Winston T. Manry |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
George H. Mansfield |
Electrician |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Tennessee. |
Darrel F. Matzdorf |
Fireman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Raymond E. Medow |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Earl J. Miller |
Fireman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Thomas R. Miller |
Seaman Second Class |
Died on the 68-man raft. |
Alvia L. Minor |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.*
From Oklahoma. |
Vimmy M. Mitchell |
Steward's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Anthony M. Mondi |
Fireman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Eugene J. Montanari |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Christopher Montano |
PRT Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Elijah W. Moore |
Machinist's Mate First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Raymond G. Moreau |
Machinist's Mate First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Hal A. Nelson |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Harrison S. Nobbs |
Chief radioman |
Transferred to
USS Neosho from USS Yorktown. Died on the 68-man raft.
From Florida. |
Sinforoso Paguirican |
Steward's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Joseph R. Palmer |
Shipfitter Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Charles D.
Parker |
Seaman Second Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Texas. |
Melvin W. Parmenter |
Fireman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Harry J. Patterson |
Electrician's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Leroy D.
Pearce |
Seaman Second Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Kansas. |
Oscar J. Peterson |
Ensign |
Killed in action.* |
Oscar V. Peterson |
Chief
Watertender |
Died on U.S.S. Henley, May 13, 1942. |
Robert L.
Peterson |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Ralph P. Plumb |
Ensign |
Killed in action.* |
Julian Ponce |
Fireman Third Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From California. |
Richard M. Prentice |
Fireman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Robert H. Pursley |
Seaman Second Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Arkansas. |
Stanley E. Raimer |
Ship's Cook Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
James F. Ramos |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Floyd T. Resley |
Fireman Third Class |
Missing in action. |
William L. Reynolds |
Chief Water Tender |
Killed in action.* |
Emil J. Rogalla |
Gunner's Mate First Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From California. |
Joseph R. Rogers |
Electrician's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Earnest F. Roland |
Fireman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Gerald W. Routledge |
Seaman Second Class |
Died on the 68-man raft. |
Marshall L. Rowell |
Seaman Second Class |
Missing in action. |
Richard H. Rowley |
Machinist's Mate First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Garvin D. Runyan |
CCSP |
Killed in action.* |
James E. Saul |
Coxswain |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Pennsylvania. |
Cecil D. Sawyer |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Frank A.
Scarborough |
Seaman Second Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Arkansas. |
Eugene H. Self |
Yeoman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Wendell A. Shaw |
Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Ohio. |
Robert W. Shroyer |
Seaman Second Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Colorado. |
Glen W. Smith |
Unknown |
Died on the 68-man raft. |
Leonard Q. Smith |
BKR Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Samuel H. Soliday |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Carl C. Stebbins |
Radioman Third Class |
Missing in action (5/7/42).
From Byron Center, Michigan. |
George A. Stewart |
Seaman Second Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Tennessee. |
Donald A. Stewart |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Robert E. Stretch |
Fireman First Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Michigan. |
Ernest Strouse |
Watertender Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Craig L. Strozda |
Watertender Second Class |
Died on the 68-man raft. |
Donald F. Stubblefield |
Seaman First Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Oregon. |
Clifford
Tatge |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
John E. Theriac |
Fireman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Leland E. Thompson |
Unknown |
Died on the 68-man raft.
|
Earl D. Thornton |
Steward's Mate Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Leonard A. Thorpe |
Fireman Third Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Missouri. |
Philip J. Toner |
Seaman Second Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Washington. |
Victor N. Toney |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Henry W. Tucker |
Pharmacist's Mate Third Class |
Died
on the 68-man raft. From Alabama. |
Thaddeus O. Tunnel |
Seaman Second Class |
Survivor of the 68-man raft. Rescued by
Helm,
May 16, 1942. Died in Australia. From Arkansas. |
Charles H. Tyler |
Storekeeper Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Chester D. Underwood |
Machinist's Mate 2nd Class |
Killed in action.* |
John W. Varnum |
Ship's Cook Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Jack C. Vogan |
Machinist's Mate 2nd Class |
Killed in action.* |
Othello F. Wadley |
Steward's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Prospero E. Walker |
Steward's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Oliver Ward |
Warrant Officer |
Killed in action.* |
William H. Webb |
Gunner's Mate Third Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From California. |
Clarence J. Webre |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Louis H. Weidner |
Signalman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
James B. Wheeler |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Robert L. White |
Ship's Cook Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Lester L. Williams |
Machinist's Mate Second Class |
Died on the 68-man raft. |
Nelson M. Wilson |
Ship's Cook First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Edward N. Wolf |
Fireman Third Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Kansas. |
George A. Wood |
Seaman First Class |
Died on the 68-man raft.
From Michigan. |
Vernon A. Zeddies |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
U.S.S.
Sims
Survivors from
U.S.S. Sims (I believe this is a complete list)
Name |
Rank |
Comments |
Vincent F. Canole |
Machinist's Mate Second Class
|
. |
J.
Chielewski |
Fireman First Class |
. |
Robert.J. Dicken |
Chief
Signalman |
. |
Silas V. Dugger |
Machinist's Mate First Class |
Also
survived sinking of U.S.S. Astoria (Aug. 1942). |
George E. Ernst |
Fire Controlman Third Class |
. |
Arthur C. Gober |
Seaman Second Class
|
. |
Jackie J. Laws |
Seaman Second Class |
. |
Edward F. Munch |
Machinist's Mate Second Class |
. |
Thomas F. Reilly |
Watertender First Class |
. |
Jones Savage |
Fireman Third Class |
. |
Marvin W. Scott |
Fireman Third Class |
. |
Kenneth W. Tevebaugh |
Radioman Third Class |
. |
John C. Verton |
Seaman Second Class |
. |
Vito J. Vessia |
Fireman Second Class |
. |
Casualties from U.S.S. Sims (Partial List)
Name |
Rank |
Comments |
Alfred Adamson |
Chief Fire Controlman |
Killed
in action.* |
Cecil E.
Ammons |
Apprentice Seaman |
Killed in action.* |
Randers H.
Andersen |
Chief Boatswain's Mate |
Killed in action.* |
Robert E.
Anderson |
Apprentice Seaman |
Killed in action.* |
Robert F.
Andren |
Fireman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
James H.
Austin |
Fireman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Frank
Barnes |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Edwin R.
Barney |
Chief Water Tender |
Killed in action.* |
Paul R.
Barthel |
Apprentice Seaman |
Killed in action.* |
Donald R. Bean |
Fireman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Sylvester C. Bell Jr. |
Radioman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Robert J.
Belonga |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Joseph S.
Bender |
Gunner's Mate Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Dennis H.
Bennett |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Robert L.
Bitson |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Jerold E.
Bonebright |
Coxswain |
Killed in action.* |
Victor R.
Boston |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
John D.
Braiovich |
Radioman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
James
Brandenberger |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Frederick R.
Brick |
Machinist's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Walter
Brodie |
Fireman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Raymond W.
Bryant |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Albert L.
Bugmra |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
M.
Buonassissi |
Torpedoman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Kenneth J.
Capistrand |
Yeoman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Thomas K.
Carlisle |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Dorsey E.
Cherry |
Pharmacist's Mate 2nd Class |
Killed in action.* |
John K.
Christensen |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Allen
Clark |
Chief Yeoman |
Killed in action.* |
John F.
Clark |
Fireman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Joseph D.
Clayton |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Leo F.
Coughlin |
Boilermaker Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Donald A.
Davis |
Torpedoman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
J.
Defrance |
Machinist's Mate First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Hans W.
Deguehery |
Storekeeper Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Gerald J.
Dente |
Boatswain's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Virgil J.
Despres |
Signalman Third Class |
Killed in action.*
From Michigan. |
Albert W.
Dieckmann |
Coxswain |
Killed in action.* |
Wilfred J.
Dismuke |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Clem T.
Dixon |
Steward's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Charlie L.
Dorrough |
Chief Electrician's Mater |
Killed in action.* |
Charles F.
Doyle |
Fireman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Thomas
Duckworth |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Dorand H.
Dumoulin |
Storekeeper First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Johnny M.
Duncan |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Roland S.
Dunham |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Lester W.
Duoos |
Fireman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Dupree L.
Edwards |
Fireman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
James J.
Edwards |
Torpedoman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Leonard P.
English |
Coxswain |
Killed in action.* |
Scott W.
Erickson |
Fireman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Anthony J.
Falzone |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Walter J.
Faucett |
Fireman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Roger H.
Fenske |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Anthony W.
Ferracane |
Yeoman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
William F.
Fischer |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
James W.
Flack |
Signalman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Thurman C.
Foskey |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Elmer C. Fox |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Maurice D. Fox |
Machinist's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Harold D.
French |
CQM |
Killed in action.* |
Cecil E.
Gardner |
Fireman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Ralph C.
Gardner |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Russell
Gardner |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Paul A.
Garner |
Steward's Mate Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Clayton L.
Gibson |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Purvis W.
Gilmore |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Charles W.
Gleason |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
John
Goldych |
Torpedoman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Robert Paul
Grab |
Fireman |
Killed in action.**
From Maryland. |
Robert P.
Graham |
Ensign |
Killed in action.* |
Edmund P.
Graichen |
Chief Machinist's Mate |
Killed in action.* |
Arthur M.
Grindle |
Ensign |
Killed in action.* |
Martin L.
Hansen |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Leon W.
Hartford |
Yeoman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Bernard F.
Hebel |
Fireman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Richard O.
Heiden |
Fireman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
James W.
Henderson |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Willie L.
Henderson |
Steward's Mate First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Lynn
Hilton |
Apprentice Seaman |
Killed in action.* |
Paul G.
Hogan |
Fireman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Alvin V.
Howard |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Willford M.
Hyman |
Lt. Commander |
Captain. Killed in action.* |
Frank P.
Iessi |
Radioman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
John C.
Janke |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Robert E.
Johnson |
Fire Controlman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Clifton C.
Jones |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Mahlon J.
Kelbaugh |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Lester
Kelly |
Machinist's Mate First Class |
Killed in action.* |
John R.
Kendig |
Machinist's Mate First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Herbert
Kennedy |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Gustav F.
Kerndt |
Ensign |
Killed in action.* |
James J.
Kinchsular |
Radioman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Edward W. King |
Chief Torpedoman |
Killed in action.* |
Eugene J. King |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
James C.
Kosbob |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
James E. Lamb |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Edward S.
LeBlanc |
Fireman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Henry N.
Lindberg |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Alfredo
Lorenzana |
OC Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Walter Luke |
Radioman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Robert T. Lund |
Fireman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Francis F.
Lynch |
Torpedoman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
John T.
Martin |
Apprentice Seaman |
Killed in action.* |
Michael F. Martin |
Chief Water Tender |
Killed in action.* |
Hoyt G.
Matthews |
Torpedoman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Roy G.
Mattice |
Apprentice Seaman |
Killed in action.* |
Philip
Mattingly |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Glenn C.
McAlister |
Apprentice Seaman |
Killed in action.* |
Thomas J.
McCarthy |
Apprentice Seaman |
Killed in action.* |
Frederick
McComb |
Watertender First Class |
Killed in action.* |
James C.
McConchie |
CCMST |
Killed in action.* |
Langford S.
McCord |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Flake V.
McCormick |
Apprentice Seaman |
Killed in action.* |
Louis F.
McKay |
Apprentice Seaman |
Killed in action.* |
Edward E.
McKinney |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
James E.
McManus |
Ensign |
Killed in action.* |
Harrison E.
McMillan |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Joseph S.
Meeks |
Apprentice Seaman |
Killed in action.* |
Virgil D.
Meyer |
Apprentice Seaman |
Killed in action.* |
John J.
Miller |
Electrician's Mate Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Charles A.
Morgan |
Radioman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Ronald B.
Morris |
Coxswain |
Killed in action.* |
Edward C.
Morse |
Chief Machinist's Mate |
Killed in action.* |
Orval J.
Myers |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Paul
Nabors |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Russell E. Neu |
Machinist's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Orville Y.
Newton |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Burton K.
Nichols |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
John W.
Norman |
Quartermaster Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Wilson W. Odom |
Apprentice Seaman |
Killed in action.* |
Leo
Orzechowski |
Gunner's Mate First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Rudder B.
Padgett |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
George T. Pair |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
E. M. Peleis |
Seaman Second Class |
Died on U.S.S.
Henley, May 13, 1942. |
Strudwick T.
Pennington |
Ensign |
Killed in action.* |
Frederick W.
Penton |
Radioman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Paul
Perryman |
Gunner's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Francis
Peterson |
Gunner's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Duane E.
Phillips |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Edward M.
Pieles |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Charlie B. Pike |
Fireman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
James D. Pike |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Allen C.
Pittman |
Fireman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Cecil C.
Pitts |
Apprentice Seaman |
Killed in action.* |
Burel L.
Plant |
Fireman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Manuel F.
Polomares |
Apprentice Seaman |
Killed in action.* |
Johnnie L.
Privett |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
George F.
Pruett |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Clabe W.
Putnal |
Fireman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Willis E.
Quesenberry |
Apprentice Seaman |
Killed in action.* |
Melvin E.
Radcliffe |
Lt. And Gunnery Officer |
Killed in action.* |
Maunsel E.
Ramsey |
Machinist's Mate First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Raphael J.
Ratti |
Fireman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
James T. Ray |
Ship's Cook First Class |
Killed in action.* |
John S.
Reistetter |
Chief Gunner's Mate |
Killed in action.* |
Lawrence H.
Renger |
Fire Controlman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Nathan A.
Roberts |
Fireman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Robert F. Rock |
Machinist's Mate First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Harold L. Rose |
Apprentice Seaman |
Killed in action. From Knoxville, Tennessee.* |
Harold E. Ross |
Fireman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Harold G.
Ruffner |
Electrician's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
George P. Ryan |
Fire Controlman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Harding I.
Salpeter |
Apprentice Seaman |
Killed in action.* |
Alfred A.
Sanzari |
Fireman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Sidney M.
Saunders |
Apprentice Seaman |
Killed in action.* |
Stanley J.
Schumacher |
Chief Boatswain's Mate |
Killed in action.* |
C.
Scott |
Carpenter's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
George R.
Sellett |
Fireman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Alexander
Sentelik |
Fire Controlman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Alonzo R.
Settlemire |
Watertender Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Arthur L.
Sheron |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Arthur S.
Shidler |
Electrician's Mate First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Max
Silverstein |
Lieutenant |
Engineering Officer.
Killed in action.* |
Grady
Singletary |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Thomas E.
Sligh |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Glenn N.
Smith |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Henry C.
Smith |
Fireman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Charles E.
Smithson |
Fireman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
William M.
Sneed |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
David R.
Stevenson |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Andrew P.
Stewart |
Lieutenant (Executive
Officer) |
Killed in action.* |
Charles R.
Street |
Fireman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
George C.
Sutton |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Lionel J.
Tachna |
Ensign |
Killed in action.* |
Walker
Tackett |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Alvin T.
Talbot |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
James R.
Taylor |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Curtis
Townsend |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Joseph G.
Troxil |
Machinist's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Thomas L.
Turner |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
William J.
Turner |
Fireman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Elias
Tyrpak |
Gunner's Mate First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Kenneth F.
Valente |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Daniel K.
Vanantherp |
Fireman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Eugene J.
Vannucci |
Fireman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
John
Vdouin |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Robert F.
Vinson |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Stuart H.
Wallace |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Vernon C.
Watkins |
Shipfitter Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Joseph C. Webb |
Chief Mechanic's Mate |
Killed in action.* |
Garnold R. West |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Joseph
Wheaten |
Steward's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Raymond F.
Wickett |
Machinist's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Arthur W.
Wilkinson |
Lieutenant (J.G.) |
Killed in action.* |
Earl J.
Williams |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Henry I.
Williams |
Fireman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Richard S.
Williams |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Mansfield C.
Williamson |
Steward's Mate Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
James
Wilson |
Seaman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Selmer R.
Winnett |
Fireman Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Lewis H.
Wolger |
Ship's Cook Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Louis J. Woll |
Ship's Cook Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
Pink
Worley |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Clifton F.
Wyatt |
Ensign |
Killed in action.* |
John J.
Yanek |
Gunner's Mate Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
William J.
Yanny |
Watertender First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Michael
Yanov |
Gunner's Mate Third Class |
Killed in action.* |
James A.
Yates |
Electrician's Mate First Class |
Killed in action. From
Illinois. Brother of Orin Yates. |
Orin A.
Yates |
Electrician's Mate Second Class |
Killed in action. From
Illinois. Brother of James Yates. |
Kenneth E.
Yerian |
Fire Controlman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Oscar
Young |
Fireman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Robert W.
Young |
Fireman First Class |
Killed in action.* |
Edward V. Zon |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
John D.
Zonik |
Seaman Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Otto J. Zoss |
Watertender Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Michael S. Zwir |
Ship's Cook Second Class |
Killed in action.* |
Plus 12 other men
How Many Survived and How Many Died?
While
researching the U.S.S. Neosho, I tried to determine the exact number of
men stationed on the ship before the Battle of the Coral Sea (i.e. its
complement) and the number of confirmed survivors, dead, and missing. It
was pretty frustrating, since the U.S. Navy records available on the Internet
regarding this matter are sketchy at best, and other sources seemed to conflict each
other. I've relied primarily on the book, "Blue Skies and
Blood," which includes the most detailed account of the Neosho at
the Battle of the Coral Sea that I've found, but even this source had some
apparent conflicts. I think I've ironed it out, though.
The
book claims that there were 21 officers and 267 crewmen on board the Neosho
during the attack on May 7, 1942. According to the book, shortly after the
dive-bombing attack on the afternoon of May 7, Captain Phillips did a head count
and determined that there were 110 survivors from the Neosho and 20 Neosho
crewmen confirmed dead. Therefore, Phillips determined that 158 men were
missing, many of whom had taken to the life rafts and were drifting away from the
ship, all but four of whom were never seen again. When the 15 survivors from the U.S.S. Sims
were added to the 110 on board the Neosho, there were a total of 125 men
on board the listing Neosho shortly after the attack (or in the boats
which circled the Neosho that evening, afraid the ship would sink).
Furthermore,
the book states that during the four days that the crewmen drifted on the Neosho
until their rescue, from May 8 until May 11, a total of seven men died on the Neosho,
including six Neosho crewmen and one from the Sims. The book
even states their names, so I'm pretty certain that seven men did indeed die
during this time. This would leave 118 survivors on the Neosho (125
minus 7) who were rescued by the U.S.S. Henley. However, several
sources state that the Henley actually rescued 123 men, not 118 men, from
the Neosho. Why was there a discrepancy of five men, I wondered?
All
of the accounts that I've seen agree that 123 men were rescued off the Neosho
by the Henley on May 11. Therefore, I can only assume that there
were 115 Neosho survivors of the Japanese attack on May 7, instead of
110. When added to the 15 survivors of the Sims, this means that there
were a total of 130
survivors on the Neosho shortly after the battle instead of
125, with 123 eventually surviving to be rescued by the Henley.
The
inconsistency might be explained by a group of crewmen who had transferred from
the Yorktown and cruiser Portland to the Neosho on May 6, just before the Neosho
and Sims were detached from the rest of the fleet, as described in
"Blue Skies and Blood" and verified by my uncle, Bill Leu, during
his 2002 interview. When Admiral Fletcher learned about the
Japanese fleet northwest of him, he ordered the Neosho and Sims to
the southwest while the rest of the fleet quickly sped towards the Japanese,
leaving the Yorktown and Portland crewmen stranded on board the Neosho (the
book doesn't explain why these crewmen transferred to the Neosho,
although my uncle stated that they were heading back to Pearl Harbor). I'm assuming, therefore, that 5 men from the Yorktown and Portland
were aboard the Neosho during the attack and that these men were not
included in the 110 survivors that Captain Phillips reported shortly after the
attack.
Through
deduction, Captain Phillips determined shortly after the attack that 158 men were
missing. It is likely that at least some of these men drowned that
afternoon near the Neosho. However, the Captain saw several life
rafts with men aboard drift away from the Neosho in the four-foot seas
and ordered a Neosho crewman in a motorized whaleboat to tow these rafts back to the Neosho, but for
various reasons, the crewman failed to do so. Neither Captain Phillips nor,
presumably, the men on board these rafts considered their lives to be seriously at risk because, it was thought, the U.S. fleet would rescue them
either that day, May 7, or the next day. Of course, the men drifting away
from the Neosho didn't realize that the Neosho had been
transmitting incorrect coordinates via radio and that a search by a destroyer would commence
that evening -- although 40 miles away. Captain Phillips himself didn't realize this
error until May 8, the day after the attack.
Regarding the life rafts, which lacked motors, it's
not known and most likely never will be known how many of the 158 missing men from the Neosho
made their way onto rafts and drifted ever farther away from the mother ship,
most never to be seen again. Presumably, many of the men on rafts drifted across the Coral Sea and finally,
after many days, succumbed from exposure
and lack of water.
The only information about any
raft survivors came from the four men who were rescued from a life raft by the U.S.S. Helm
on May 16, a full nine days after the Japanese attack. According to these men, they were the only survivors from a group of 68 men who had drifted away
from the Neosho in four rafts lashed together, truly an amazing story
itself. Unfortunately, two of these four men died shortly after being
rescued.
Summary of the number of survivors and casualties:
Before The Attack
Complement of
U.S.S. Sims (morning of May 7, 1942):
252
Complement of
U.S.S. Neosho (morning of May 7):
293
(including 5 from U.S.S. Yorktown and U.S.S. Portland)
After The Attack
Survivors from
U.S.S. Sims transferred to U.S.S. Neosho
(afternoon of May 7, 1942):
15
Survivors
from U.S.S. Neosho (afternoon of May 7):
115
(including 5 from U.S.S. Yorktown)
Total men on
U.S.S. Neosho (afternoon of May 7):
130
(115 from Neosho, 15 from Sims)
Total
confirmed dead from U.S.S. Neosho (afternoon of May 7):
20
Total missing
from U.S.S. Neosho (afternoon of May 7):
158
Buried at sea
from U.S.S. Neosho on May 8:
2 (1
from Neosho, 1 from Sims)
Buried at sea
from U.S.S. Neosho on May 9:
3 (all from
Neosho)
Buried at sea
from U.S.S. Neosho on May 10:
2 (both from Neosho)
Total men
rescued from U.S.S. Neosho by destroyer U.S.S. Henley
on May 11:
123, including 104 Neosho crewmen, 14 Sims
crewmen, and 5
Yorktown and Portland
crewmen
Died on
U.S.S. Henley on May 13 and buried at sea:
2 (one from U.S.S. Neosho, one from U.S.S. Sims)
Total
survivors from Neosho and Sims returned to
Australia on
U.S.S. Henley:
121
The Life Rafts
Total Neosho crewmen missing after attack on May 7:
158
Of these, the number known to initially occupy the raft(s) seen
by the U.S.S. Helm:
68
Of these, the number
of survivors rescued by U.S.S. Helm:
4
Of these, the number
who returned to Australia on the Helm:
3
Of these, the
number who survived and returned to the U.S.:
2
|
Summary
Obviously,
then, the number of casualties of the attack depends on the timeframe.
Probably the most pertinent statistics are these:
-
There were 293 men on the U.S.S. Neosho
before the attack at the Battle of the Coral Sea. Of these, 184 men
died while 109 survived.
-
There were 158 men
on the Neosho reported missing after the attack (most of these
presumably
scrambled into life rafts). Of the 158 men reported missing, only 4 were eventually rescued.
-
Of the 545 men initially on the
Neosho and Sims before the battle,
only
124 survived
and arrived in Australia, while 421 men died.
Further Information on Casualties
As I noted above, I pieced this list of casualties together
from various sources, including published books (see my page on
Sources and Further Information),
information on the Internet, as well as e-mails that I have received.
If you would like more information about a person who died on the U.S.S.
Neosho or U.S.S. Sims during the Battle of the Coral Sea, visit
the U.S. Navy webpage at
http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq11-1.htm, which describes how you
can purchase a microfilm or microfiche list of casualties for any campaign
in the war. As this webpage states, the information for each casualty
includes the man's name, service number, rank/rate, casualty code (wounded
or killed) and date of casualty.
As that Navy webpage states, instead of purchasing the
microfilm or microfiche, you can find this same information in the following
book: Combat Connected Naval Casualties,
World War II, by States. 2 volumes. US Navy. Washington: Office of
Information, 1946. (Volume 1 covers Alabama through Missouri; Volume 2
covers Montana through Wyoming and other areas) OCLC 03829654.
According to the U.S. Navy, you can find this book in large
university or depository libraries. I have not seen this book, so I
know nothing about it, but it apparently lists every Naval casualty in World
War II. For more information, see the U.S. Navy's FAQ page on Naval
casualties during World War II (http://www.history.navy.mil/faqs/faq11-1.htm).
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Table of Contents:
U.S.S. Neosho
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