USS Sims (DD-409) at Coral Sea

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The U.S.S. Neosho at Coral Sea

The U.S.S. Sims (DD-409)

On the afternoon of May 6, 1942, as the American and Japanese fleets searched for each other in the Coral Sea, Admiral Jack Fletcher ordered the vital oiler U.S.S. Neosho to stay in a safe rendezvous area well behind the U.S. fleet. Fletcher ordered the destroyer, U.S.S. Sims, to protect the vulnerable and important oiler as the rest of the fleet steamed on ahead.

At about 7:30 the next morning, May 7, a Japanese scout plane discovered the two ships, mistaking the Sims for a cruiser and the flat-topped Neosho for an aircraft carrier. During the next five hours, 62 Japanese dive bombers attacked the two ships. During the fierce attack, the Sims valiantly defended the Neosho but was struck amidships by several bombs, split in half, and sunk shortly after noon with the loss of 237 men. Crewmen on the Neosho, which itself was under attack, watched in horror as the Sims quickly sunk. As the bow of the Sims was submerging under the choppy seas, the forward five-inch gun of the Sims let loose with one final shot, even as the waves were engulfing it, a last, valiant effort by the doomed gun crew. Only 15 Sims crewmen survived the sinking, all of whom piled into a whaleboat and headed for the Neosho, which was badly damaged during the attack but, with its nearly empty tanks, remained afloat. Two of these 15 would later die aboard the Neosho, meaning that only 13 men aboard the Sims survived the attack.

My uncle, Bill Leu, a fireman on the lightly-armed Neosho, always admired the Sims, the little ship that bravely defended his oiler. Whenever Bill started to talk about the Sims, his eyes would mist up as he thought about the brave men on the Sims who defiantly battled the Japanese dive-bombers until the Sims sank beneath the waves.

There's a description of the U.S.S. Sims at http://www.geocities.com/usssimsdd409/USS_Sims_Story.html. According to this website, a seaman on the U.S.S. Sims named Bill Vessia was the man responsible for rescuing the few survivors of the Sims attack. I don't know whether this is true or not, but you can read it for yourself and decide. Regardless of who performed the heroics, the Sims fought valiantly and its loss was a blow to the American goal of thwarting the Japanese invasion of New Guinea and Australia.

As events would reveal, May 7, 1942, would be the low point for the Allied forces in the Pacific theatre. Not only did the Japanese sink the destroyer Sims and badly damage the oiler Neosho that day in the Coral Sea, but several thousand miles away, they ousted the Allies from Burma, cutting off the vital supply link to China known as the Burma Road. With the American fleet crippled at Pearl Harbor exactly six months earlier, the outlook for the Allies that day was indeed bleak. The next day, May 8, the Japanese were turned back during the climactic battle in the Coral Sea and their fortune would continue to ebb until the end of the war.

I've listed the names of the Sims survivors on my Survivors and Casualties page. Here are some photos of the brave little ship, U.S.S. Sims, along with a brief history.

USS_Sims_in_Boston_May_1940.jpg (60752 bytes)

USS_Sims_in_Maine_July_1939-1.jpg (63180 bytes)

USS_Sims_in_Maine_July_1939-2.jpg (67098 bytes)

USS Sims (DD-409), 1939-1942

The first Sims (DD-409) was laid down on 15 July 1937 by Bath Iron Works Corp., Bath, Maine, launched on 8 April 1939- sponsored by Mrs. William S. Sims and commissioned on 1 August 1939, Lt. Comdr. W. A. Griswold in command.

After shakedown training in the Caribbean and post shakedown availability in the Boston Navy Yard Sims joined the Atlantic Squadron at Norfolk on 2 August 1940. The destroyer operated with the Neutrality Patrol in Caribbean and South Atlantic waters. In November and December 1940, Sims patrolled off Martinique. On 28 May 1941, the ship arrived at Newport, R.I., and began operating from there. She sailed for Iceland on 28 July with an American task force. In August, the destroyer patrolled the approaches to Iceland. In September and October, the ship made two lengthy North Atlantic patrols. Sims had been attached to Destroyer Squadron (DesRon) 2 since she began making Neutrality Patrols.

With the outbreak of war on 7 December DesRon 2 became part of a task force ( Task Force 17) formed around Yorktown (CV-5). The task force sortied from Norfolk on 16 December 1941 for San Diego. From there, it sailed as part of a convoy taking marines to Samoa, arriving on 23 January 1942.

At the time, it was believed that the Japanese would attack Samoa to sever Allied communications with Australia. To thwart such a move, a carrier raid against Japanese bases in the Marshall Islands was planned. The Yorktown task force was to strike the islands of Mili, Jaluit, and Makin, while another force centered around Enterprise (CV-6) was to hit Kwajalein, Wotje, and Maloelap.

Task Force 17 departed Samoa on 25 January with Sims in the screen. At 1105 on the 28th, she sighted an enemy bomber. At 1114, a stick of four bombs fell approximately 1,500 yards astern, straddling the wake of the destroyer. The next day, the two carrier forces and a bombardment group attacked the islands and with drew.

Sims, with TF 17, sailed from Pearl Harbor on 16 February to attack Wake Island. Shortly after departing, their sailing orders were changed; and they proceeded to the Canton Island area. Canton is a small island on the Honolulu-New Caledonia air route, and it was thought to be endangered by the Japanese.

By early March, the Japanese had occupied Lae and Salamaua on the north coast of New Guinea. To cheek this drive, a carrier strike was launched on 10 March from Lexington (CV-2) and Yorktown. Sims remained near Rossel Island in the Louisiades with a force of cruisers and destroyers to protect the carriers from enemy surface ships. Sims next operated in the New Caledonia-Tonga Islands area.

In late April, a Japanese task force was assembled to win control of the Coral Sea area and thereby isolate Australia. This consisted of a covering group to protect landing forces on Tulagi and Port Moresby and a striking force to eliminate Allied shipping in the Coral Sea. The light carrier, Shoho, was attached to the covering force, and the big new carriers, Shokaku and Zuikaku, were the striking force under command of Admiral Takagi. The American ships were divided into task forces centered around Lexington and Yorktown, Sims was ordered to escort oiler, Neosho (AO23). The task force refueled on 5 and 6 May and then detached Neosho and Sims to continue to the next fueling point.

On the morning of 7 May, a search plane from the Japanese striking force sighted the oiler and destroyer and reported them to Admiral Takagi as a carrier and a cruiser. Takagi ordered an all-out attack. At 0930 15 high level bombers attacked the two ships but did no damage. At 1038, 10 attacked the destroyer, but skillful maneuvering evaded the nine bombs that were dropped. A third attack against the two ships by 36 dive bombers was devastating. Neosho was soon a blazing wreck as the result of seven direct hits and one plane that dived into her.

Sims was attacked from all directions. The destroyer defended herself as best she could. Three 500-pound bombs hit the destroyer. Two exploded in the engine room; and, within minutes, the ship buckled amidships and began to sink, stern first. As Sims slid beneath the waves, there was a tremendous explosion that raised what was left of the ship almost 15 feet out of the water. Chief R. J. Dicken, in a damaged whaleboat, picked up 14 other survivors. They remained with Neosho, still afloat despite severe damage, until they were rescued by Henley (DD-391) on 11 May. Sims was struck from the Navy list on 24 June 1942.

Battle of the Coral Sea

U.S.S. Sims

Survivors from U.S.S. Sims (Complete List)

Name	Rank	Comments
Vincent F. Canole	Machinist's Mate Second Class	.
J. Chielewski	Fireman First Class	.
Robert.J. Dicken	Chief Signalman	.
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.*
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.*