Prepare To RAM ! Pearl Harbor Victory

[Wharfmaster]

We most often think of Pearl Harbor as a total defeat. However, there were US victories.

 

It would appear Fred enlisted in the US Navy around 1930. By 1940, he was a MM1c, joining the Destroyer USS Monaghan.

 

The USS Monaghan was a ready duty Destroyer in Pearl Harbor on 7 December. Like the USS Ward, they were not caught completely with their pants down. Monaghan was ordered to get underway to join Ward a few minutes before the Japanese attack began. The crew opened fire on the Japanese aircraft and were headed out when informed of a Japanese Midget Sub in the Harbor. Monaghan rammed the sub at a glancing blow and sunk it with two depth charges.

 

By War's end, Fred would serve in the Atlantic aboard the Destroyer USS Frankford and return to the Pacific in the LST 937

as an Officer. He was promoted Lt.(JG) aboard in 1944.

 

 

 

 

W

[cap_george]

Very nice medal and history - congratulations.

[Wharfmaster]

Very nice medal and history - congratulations.

Thanks Cap, most appreciated.

 

 

 

W

[BEAST]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing his history.

[Wharfmaster]

Very nice! Thanks for sharing his history.

Thanks BEAST, you are very welcome.

 

 

Regards,

 

 

W

[tarbridge]

Well Done Fred. W, A victory for the good guys during Bad times. Thanks for the post. Robert

[Wharfmaster]

Thanks Robert. Indeed a bright spot during a very bad day for the US.

 

 

 

Regards,

 

W

[Wharfmaster]

BTT for the 7th.

[Medalman90]

Great find!

[katieony]

Yhank you for posting!

 

Mike

[aerialbridge]

W, nice ASW action group! There wasn't much hope that day on the surface end other than the MONAGHAN sinking that mini-sub and USS NEVADA being the only battle wagon that managed to get underway. You know I enjoy those submarine rammers. ;-) Best, AB

[Wharfmaster]

Thanks AB, had a cousin aboard Nevada on that day. His uniform resides in my collection.

 

 

W

[dhcoleterracina]

I recently saw a story about a ship on Dec. 7th that had rammed and depth-charged a Japanese submarine. The incident was reported but there was no evidence of the kill until decades later when a submarine was found close to the area. There was always an inference that maybe they did and maybe they didn't. When it was finally found, the few surviving members who were still alive felt vindicated. Was this the same ship?

[RustyCanteen]

I recently saw a story about a ship on Dec. 7th that had rammed and depth-charged a Japanese submarine. The incident was reported but there was no evidence of the kill until decades later when a submarine was found close to the area. There was always an inference that maybe they did and maybe they didn't. When it was finally found, the few surviving members who were still alive felt vindicated. Was this the same ship?

 

That was probably the USS Ward, which fired on and sank a Japanese minisubmarine operating in the defensive area outside the mouth of Pearl Harbor.

 

IIRC, the sub Monaghan rammed was recovered during the war and buried on the submarine base.

 

RC

[Gary B]

Thanks for posting this and providing a nice background/historical context to accompany it.

 

Gary B

[Wharfmaster]

Bump for 7 Dec.