Neptune's Inferno

by James D. Hornfischer

  ———, Executive Officer. “Night Cruiser Action Off Savo Island, Early Morning of 9 August 1942,” August 19, 1942. NARA.

  ———. “Battle of Savo Island—Action Task Group 62.3, Early Morning August 9, 1942—Loss of USS Astoria.” Serial 00500, August 20, 1942. NARA.

  USS Atlanta (CL-51). “Engagement with Japanese Surface Forces Off Guadalcanal, Night of 12–13 November 1942, and Loss of the USS Atlanta.” A-16–3, November 20, 1942. NARA.

  USS Bagley (DD-386). “Night Engagement, August 9th, 1942, Tulagi-Guadalcanal Area.” Serial 016, August 13, 1942. NARA.

  USS Barton (DD-599). “Report of Action of November 12–13, 1942,” November 26, 1942. NARA.

  USS Benham (DD-397). “Report of Action, 14–15 November 1942.” Serial 003, November 29, 1942. NARA.

  USS Blue (DD-387). “Operations in Solomon Islands on Night of August 8th–9th, 1942.” Serial 031, August 12, 1942. NARA.

  USS Boise (CL-47). “Report of Action Off Cape Esperance on Night of 11–12 October 1942.” No serial, undated advance copy. NARA.

  USS Chicago (CA-29). “Action Against Enemy Forces, August 9th, 1942,” Serial 099, August 12, 1942. NARA.

  USS Cushing (DD-376). “Report of Engagement of Savo Island on November 13, 1942 and Destruction of USS Cushing.” No serial, November 16, 1942. NARA.

  ———. “Loss of USS Cushing.” No serial, November 19, 1942. NARA.

  USS Drayton (DD-366). “Action Report, Night of 30 November–1 December, Off Northeast Coast of Guadalcanal.” NARA.

  USS Duncan (DD-485). “Detailed Report of Action of USS Duncan During Engagement with Japanese Forces off Savo Island, 11–12 October 1942.” Serial 00735, April 26, 1943.

  USS Fletcher (DD-445). “Report of Action.” Serial S-1, November 15, 1942. NARA.

  ———. “Action Report.” Serial S-3, December 3, 1942. NARA.

  USS Gwin (DD-433). “Report of Night Action, 14–15 November 1942.” Serial 047, November 16, 1942. NARA.

  USS Helena (CL-50). “Report of Submarine Torpedo Attack on Task Unit and Sinking of USS Juneau.” Serial 005, November 14, 1942. NARA.

  ———. “Report of Action Off North Coast of Guadalcanal, Early Morning of November 13, 1942.” Serial 008, November 15, 1942. NARA.

  ———. “Report of Shore Bombardment, Koli Point, Guadalcanal Island, November 4, 1942.” Serial 0012, November 15, 1942. NARA.

  USS Helm (DD-388). “Report of Night Engagement Off Savo Island, Solomon Islands, August 9, 1942.” Serial 129, August 14, 1942. NARA.

  USS Honolulu (CL-48). “Action Report—Engagement Off Savo Island, Night of November 30th–December 1st, 1942.” Serial 0142, December 4, 1942. NARA.

  USS Juneau (CL-52). “Report of USS Juneau Activity from November 11 to 13, 1942, Inclusive.” Serial 007, November 17, 1942. NARA.

  USS Laffey (DD-459). “Battle Report of USS Laffey.” No serial, November 14, 1942. NARA.

  USS Lamson (DD-367). “Action Report, Night of 30 November 30–1 December 1942, Solomon Islands Area.” Serial 00242, December 3, 1942. NARA.

  USS Lardner (DD-487). “Report of Night Surface Action, November 30–December 1, 1942.” No serial, December 8, 1942. NARA.

  USS Maury (DD-401). “Report of Action with Japanese Surface Forces the Night of November 30–December 1, 1942, Off Savo Island.” Serial 026, December 3, 1942. NARA.

  USS McCalla (DD-488). “Report of Action Off Savo Island on Night of 11–12 October 1942.” Serial 001, October 12, 1942. NARA.

  USS Minneapolis (CA-36). “Action Report for 30 November–1 December 1942.” Serial 0247, December 6, 1942. NARA.

  USS Monssen (DD-436). “Report of Battle of November 13, 1942,” November 16, 1942. NARA.

  USS New Orleans (CA-32). “Action Report Covering Night Action November 30, 1942–December 1, 1942.” Serial 637, December 4, 1942. NARA.

  USS Northampton (CA-26). “Report of Action with Enemy.” Serial 0109, October 31, 1942. NARA.

  ———. “Report of Action with the Enemy and Resultant Sinking of USS Northampton.” Serial 06, December 5, 1942. NARA.

  USS O’Bannon (DD-480). “Report of Engagement with Japanese Units on Morning of November 13, 1942.” Serial 0134, November 17, 1942. NARA.

  USS Patterson (DD-392). “Engagement with Enemy Surface Ships, Night of August 8th–9th 1942.” Serial 001, August 13, 1942. NARA.

  USS Pensacola (CA-24). “Report of Engagement with Enemy on the Night of November 30–December 1, 1942.” Serial 0178, December 4, 1942. NARA.

  USS Perkins (DD-377). “Report of Action, Night of November 30, 1942.” Serial 01854, December 1, 1942. NARA.

  USS Portland (CA-33), “Night Action Between Task Force 67.4 and Japanese Forces, November 13, 1942.” Serial 073, November 21, 1942. NARA.

  USS Preston (DD-379). “Report of Surface Engagement with Japanese Forces, November 15, 1942,” November 30, 1942. NARA.

  USS Quincy (CA-39), “Preliminary Report of Engagement the Night of 9 August 1942 Off Guadalcanal Island.” Serial 004, August 12, 1942. NARA.

  ———. “Report of the Battle Off Guadalcanal Island, August 9, 1942” (by Lt. Cdr. John D. Andrew). No serial, August 15, 1942. NARA.

  ———. “Report of the Engagement the Morning of August 9, 1942, for Guadalcanal Island in Which the USS Quincy Participated” (by Lt. Cdr. Harry B. Heneberger). Serial 004, August 16, 1942. NARA.

  ———. “Additional Information in Regard to the ex-USS Quincy,” February 10, 1943. NARA.

  USS Ralph Talbot (DD-390). “Preliminary Report of Action, August 8th–9th, 1942.” Serial 03, August 11, 1942. NARA.

  USS Salt Lake City (CA-25). “Offset Battle Practice,” September 25, 1942. Records of the Commander, Cruisers, Pacific Fleet. NARA.

  ———. “Report of Action of USS Salt Lake City Against Japanese Surface Naval Units, Night of October 11–12, 1942, Off Savo Island, Solomon Islands.” Serial 0140, October 19, 1942. NARA.

  USS San Francisco (CA-38). “Action Report, Night Action, Nov. 12–13, 1942.” Serial 067, undated, circa November 15, 1942, with battle damage report of Novmeber 20, 1942. NARA.

  ———. “Action Report—Loss of USS Juneau, November 13, 1942,” November 15, 1942. NARA.

  USS South Dakota (BB-57). “Action Report, Night Engagement 14–15 November 1942, with Japanese Naval Units, Off Savo Island.” Serial 0165, November 24, 1942. NARA.

  ———. “Report of Gunfire Damage, Battle of Guadalcanal, 14–15 November 1942,” undated. NARA.

  USS Sterett (DD-407). “Report of Action on Night of November 12–13, 1942.” Serial 005, November 20, 1942. NARA.

  ———. “Gunfire Damage, Battle of Guadalcanal, 13 November 1942,” undated. NARA.

  USS Vincennes (CA-44). “Report of Action Occurring Off Savo Island Area—Night of 8/9 August, 1942.” Serial 0021, August 14, 1942. NARA.

  ———. “Report of Action Between USS Vincennes and Japanese Heavy Cruisers Near Savo Island on Night of August 8th–9th, 1942.” Serial 0022, August 16, 1942. NARA.

  ———. “Additional Information Regarding Report of Action Off Savo Island Night of 8–9 August 1942.” Serial 0029, September 5, 1942. NARA.

  USS Walke (DD-416). “Report of Surface Engagement with Japanese Forces, November 15, 1942.” Serial 00638, November 30, 1942. NARA.

  USS Washington (BB-56). “Action Report, Night of November 14–15, 1942.” Serial 0155, November 27, 1942. NARA.

  USS Wilson (DD-408). “Report of Action Against Enemy Surface Ships Off Savo Island, Night of August 8th–9th, 1942.” Serial 008, August 20, 1942. NARA.

  Wright, C. H. to CINCPAC. “Performance of Duty in Action with Enemy.” Serial P20–1, December 9, 1942. NARA.

  Interviews

  Akers, Frank (USS Hornet), interviewed September 10, 1942, by U.S. Navy, Bureau of Aeronautics. RG 313, Flag Files (Blue 361), Box 11, NARA.

  Backus, Paul H. (USS South Dakota, turret officer), interviewed October 28, 1981, by Paul S
tillwell. Naval Institute, Operational Archives Branch, NHC.

  Baldwin, Hanson W. (journalist), interviewed June 16, 1975, by John T. Mason, Jr. Naval Institute, Operational Archives Branch, NHC.

  Bennett, John E. (USS San Francisco, lieutenant junior grade), videotaped interview, December 1993. Courtesy of Johnny Johnson, USS San Francisco Association.

  ———, interviewed February 5, 1994, by Donald R. Lennon. Special Collections, Joyner Library, East Carolina University, Oral History Interview no. 138.

  Berry, Joseph (USS Helena, supply department), interviewed March 23, 2007, by the author.

  Clark, Gilbert H. (USS Helena), interviewed December 22, 2005, by Richard Misenhimer. NMPW.

  Coates, Robert (USS San Francisco, radioman), interviewed February 4, 2009, by the author.

  Cook, Jack (USS Helena, marine detachment, captain’s orderly), interviewed December 14, 2006, by the author.

  Davis, Glenn B. (USS Washington, captain), interviewed July 28, 1977, by Donald R. Lennon. Oral History Interview no. 46, Special Collections, Joyner Library, East Carolina University.

  Egan, John (USS San Francisco, Marine detachment), interviewed March 5, 2007, by the author.

  Eller, Ernest M. (CINCPAC staff), interviewed by John T. Mason, Jr., Naval Institute, August 25, 1977, October 18, 1977, and December 13, 1977. 2 vols. Operational Archives Branch, NHC.

  Feindt, Donald J. (USS President Adams), interviewed May 2, 2003, by Richard Misenhimer. NMPW.

  Fike, Charles L. (executive officer, Marine Air Group 23), interviewed by U.S. Navy, Bureau of Aeronautics, December 4, 1942. RG 313, Flag Files (Blue 361), Box 11, NARA.

  Gardner, M. B. (COMAIRSOPAC chief of staff), interviewed January 13, 1943, by the Bureau of Aeronautics. Ghormley Papers.

  Ghormley, Robert L., Jr., interviewed June 19, 2007, by the author.

  Grahn, Alvin (USS Hornet, gunner’s mate first class), interviewed by Tony Welch, http://carol_fus.tripod.com/navy_hero_alvin_grahn.html (last page view April 27, 2010).

  Hagen, Robert C. (USS Aaron Ward, assistant communications and radar officer), interviewed February 8, 2007, by the author.

  ———, interviewed July 9, 2003, by Floyd Cox. NMPW.

  Hamilton, William R. (USS San Francisco, gunner’s mate first class). Interviewed March 19, 2007, by the author.

  Harrison, Edgar (USS San Francisco, fire controlman first class), interviewed March 7, 2007, by the author.

  Hechler, Ray (USS Helena), interviewed December 6, 2001, by William J. Alexander. NMPW.

  Heiberg, Kristen F. (USS Benham, electrician’s mate), interviewed October 6, 2000, by Phillip F. Reid. Naval Historical Foundation, Oral History Program, Operational Archives Branch, NHC.

  Herndon, Charles K. (USS San Francisco, signalman third class). Interviewed February 1, 2009, by the author.

  Howe, Robert M. (USS Helena), interviewed October 21, 2000, by William G. Cox. NMPW.

  Johnson, Johnny (USS San Francisco, supply department), interviewed March 5, 2007, by the author.

  LaCouture, John E. (USS Blue, gunnery officer), interviewed October 9, 2000, by David F. Winkler. Naval Historical Foundation, Oral History Program, Operational Archives Branch, NHC.

  Lamar, Hal (CINCPAC staff), interviewed in “The Nimitz Story,” Elarco Productions, the Admiral Nimitz Foundation, 1988. Arthur Holch, producer.

  Luehman, Earl A. (USS Helena, turret officer), interviewed June 6, 1991, by Donald R. Lennon, Oral History Interview no. 129, Special Collections, Joyner Library, East Carolina University.

  MacDonald, Donald J. (USS O’Bannon, executive officer), interviewed May 22, 1974 (1), July 23, 1974 (2), and August 5, 1974 (3) by John T. Mason, Jr., Naval Institute. Operational Archives Branch, NHC.

  Mangrum, Richard C. (commander, VMSB-232), interviewed November 11, 1942, by the U.S. Navy, Bureau of Aeronautics. RG 313, Flag Files (Blue 361), Box 11, NARA.

  Maysenhalder, Kenneth. (USS Chicago, store keeper second class). Interviewed July 9, 2007, by the author.

  McClelland, James A. (USS Helena), interviewed March 20, 2003, by Richard Misenhimer. NMPW.

  Melhorn, Charles M. (USS Colhoun; PT-44), interviewed September 1970 by Etta-Belle Kitchen, Naval Institute. Operational Archives Branch, NHC.

  Mustin, Lloyd M. (USS Atlanta, assistant gunnery officer), interviewed twenty-one times between August 8, 1972, and August 8, 1973, by John T. Mason, Jr., Naval Institute. 2 vols. Operational Archives Branch, NHC.

  Pearson, Tom (USS San Francisco, gunner’s mate third class). Interviewed 2007 by the author.

  Powell, John C. (USS Astoria, fire controlman first class), interviewed June 15, 2007, by the author.

  Rivero, Horacio, Jr. (USS San Juan, assistant gunnery officer), interviewed November 1975 by John T. Mason, Jr., Naval Institute. Operational Archives Branch, NHC.

  Schonland, Herbert E. (USS San Francisco, lieutenant commander and first lieutenant), interviewed October 1, 1983, by Karl Zingheim (Schonland 1) and November 1, 1984, by John T. Mason, Jr. (Schonland 2). Naval Institute. Unprocessed transcript.

  Smith, John (commanding officer, VMF-223), November 10, 1942. RG 313, Flag Files (Blue 361), Box 11. NARA.

  Smoot, Roland N. (USS Monssen, captain), interviewed November 1970–March 1971 by Etta-Belle Kitchen, Naval Institute. Operational Archives Branch, NHC.

  Spencer, Clifford C. (USS San Francisco, Marine detachment). Interviewed September 24, 2008, by the author.

  Stroop, Paul D. (COMAIRSOPAC, planning officer), interviewed September 14, 1969, by Etta-Belle Kitchen, Naval Institute. Operational Archives Branch, NHC.

  Tarrant, Eugene (USS San Francisco, captain’s cook), interviewed March 5, 2007, and April 11, 2007, by the author.

  Ward, Alfred G. (USS North Carolina, fire-control officer), interviewed August 27, 1970, by John T. Mason, Jr., Naval Institute. Operational Archives Branch, NHC.

  Weisenberger, Paul J. (USS Helena, machinist’s mate first class), interviewed May 10, 2007, by the author.

  Weschler, Thomas R. (USS Wasp, lieutenant), interviewed October 25, 1982, by Paul Stillwell, Naval Institute, Operational Archives Branch, NHC.

  Whitt, Joseph V. (USS San Francisco, seaman first class), interviewed November 16, 2005, by Chris Rich. Clermont County Public Library.

  ———. Interviewed April 4, 2007, by the author.

  Wylie, Joseph C. (USS Fletcher, executive officer), interviewed May 21, 1985, by Paul Stillwell, Naval Institute. Operational Archives Branch, NHC.

  ———, interviewed December 17, 1985, by Evelyn Cherpak. NWC.

  Personal Papers

  Baldwin, Hanson W. Manuscripts and Archives, Sterling Memorial Library, Yale University.

  Ghormley, Robert L. Special Collections Department, Joyner Library, East Carolina University.

  Graff, Robert D. Collection of Robert D. Graff.

  King, Ernest J. NHC, Boxes 19–20.

  Kinkaid Thomas C. NHC, Box 3.

  Nimitz, Chester W. NHC, Boxes 1–4.

  Unpublished and Privately Published Eyewitness Accounts

  Arison, Rae E. (USS San Francisco, navigation officer). “A Battle to Remember.” USS San Francisco newsletter, June 1994.

  Baker, R. W. (ed). History of the USS Washington, 1941–1946. New York: Robert W. Kelly Publishing Corp. Cruise book, undated.

  Barham, Eugene Alexander (USS Laffey, engineering officer). The 228 Days of the United States Destroyer Laffey (DD-459). Robert Schneller, ed. Unpublished manuscript. 1988. NHC. Courtesy of Robert Schneller.

  Bennett, John E. (USS San Francisco, lieutenant junior grade). www.usssanfrancisco.org/Bennet%20Jack%20CAPT.htm.

  Bennink, Richard E. Untitled narrative. Undated. Collection of Richard E. Bennink and NWC.

  Bergstrom, LeRoy W. (ed.). The USS Patterson: Shipmates and Memories, 2 vols. Collection of Carol and Mike McGregor.

  Casten, Ray J. (USS Helena, lieutenant junior grade tactical plotting officer). Our Ship: The Helena. Privately published, 1991. Col
lection of Jack Cook.

  Coates, Robert (USS San Francisco). Untitled personal narrative.

  Cochran, D. Binion (USS Helena, ensign). “Recollections, Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, Cruiser Action, November 13, 1942.” Unpublished manuscript, circa 1978. Collection of D. Binion Cochran.

  De Long, George A. (USS Helena, helmsman). Untitled narrative, undated. Manuscript Collection 226, NWC.

  Ghormley, Vice Admiral Robert L. “Events Leading Up to U.S. Attack on Solomon Islands, Etc.,” January 22, 1943. WWII Command File, Box 288, NHC.

  ———. “The Tide Turns: Early History of South Pacific Force and South Pacific Area.” Manuscript, undated. WWII Command File, NHC.

  Gibson, Vic (USS San Francisco, signalman). “As I Remember,” undated. Collection of Charles K. Herndon.

  Halsey, William F. Draft manuscript of memoirs, pp. 366–404. Collection of John Wukovits.

  Hartney, Joseph P. F. (USS Juneau, signalman second class), as told to Robert C. Fay. “The Story of the USS Juneau: A Survivor’s Tale of Fate and of a Modern Miracle.” www.geocities.com/pentagon/4072/hartney/hartney.html, scanned from the collection of Margo Riedel (last page view April 10, 2009).

  Heyn, Allan Clifton (USS Juneau, gunner’s mate second class). Statement in memorandum to Roger Pineau, Office of the CNO, from Head of the Navy’s Casualty Branch, April 26, 1954. NARA.

  Iwabuchi, Sanji (IJN Kirishima, captain). Untitled, undated report. Courtesy of Anthony Tully.

  Jarman, James T. (P-39 pilot, USAAF). Letter to J. A. Walsh (USS Walke), January 17, 1981. www.destroyerhistory.org/goldplater/416walke_wilde10.pdf (last page view February 22, 2009).

  Jenkins, Donald E. (USS San Francisco). “A Real Belly Full,” undated. Collection of Charles K. Herndon.

  Jones, Pat (ed.) (USS Astoria). The USS Astoria (CA-34) and the Men Who Sailed Her. USS Astoria Reunion Association. Privately printed, 1992. Collection of John C. Powell.

  Kinkaid, Thomas Cassin (Task Force 16, commanding officer). Four Years of War in the Pacific, chapter 7: “South Pacific—1942.” Draft manuscript. NHC.

  Kittredge, George W. (USS Chicago, turret officer). Untitled personal account, undated. Collection of Charles K. Herndon.