USS Neosho: Survivors and Casualties

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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):

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):

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:

Of these, the number of survivors rescued by U.S.S. Helm:

Of these, the number who returned to Australia on the Helm:

Of these, the number who survived and returned to the U.S.:

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).

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

The current page is shown in bold.