The Tragic Sacrifice of the Dobbins Family

[kanemono]

This is the story of the tragic sacrifice of the Dobbins family.

 

Harvey Collin Dobbins was born in Salam, Indiana, on March 11, 1886. He enlisted in the United States Navy on January 4, 1907, for a period of four years as an apprentice seaman. Dobbins served on several ships between 1907 and 1916 including the USS Hancock, USS Alabama and the USS Colgua. On June 30, 1916, Dobbins was assigned to serve as electrician first class on the submarine USS L-1. The L class of United States submarines built between 1914 and 1917 were the Navy’s first attempt at building ocean-going submarines. The USS L-1 was launched on January 20, 1915, and was assigned to the Atlantic Submarine Flotilla, operating along the east coast. She ranged the Atlantic Ocean from New England to Florida during the year 1916, testing new techniques of undersea warfare. When the United States declared war on Germany, the L-1 required an extensive refit at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, to prepare her for service in Europe. In November of 1917, the USS L-1 was sent to the submarine base at Bantry Bay, Ireland, for duty on anti-U-boat patrols and to escort convoys. During World War I, United States Navy L-class submarines displayed "AL" pennant numbers to avoid being confused with British L-class submarines. The L class submarines were under-powered but showed good endurance for patrols in the North Atlantic and in British waters. United States submarines did not sink any German U-boats during World War One. Dobbins served on the USS L-1 until 1919, when he was assigned to the submarine USS E-1, training new submariners and testing experimental listening gear. In 1921, Dobbins was promoted to chief electrician’s mate. He was transferred to U.S. Fleet Reserve and released from active duty upon the completion of sixteen years of active duty on July 13, 1922. Dobbins was recalled to duty for World War II and reported to the receiving station in Boston, Massachusetts, on April 9, 1942. He became ill and was transferred to the U.S. Naval Hospital, Chelsea, Massachusetts. Harvey Collin Dobbins died at his home in Salam, Indiana, on August 2, 1943. Harvey C. Dobbins was the father of two sons. Both were killed in action during World War II. Richard, an electrician’s mate second class, was killed on December 7, 1941, at Pearl Harbor. Seaman First Class Albert was killed on June 6, 1942, at the Battle of Midway.

 

Richard Henry Dobbins was born in Salam, Indiana, on March 25, 1918. A graduate of Salam High School he enlisted in the United States Navy at Louisville, Kentucky, on January 19, 1937. After graduating from United States Naval Training Center, Great Lakes, Illinois, Dobbins attended Electrical School at San Diego, California. He reported for duty aboard the USS Helena on September 18, 1939. While serving aboard the Helena, Dobbins was temporarily assigned to Mine Warfare School at Yorktown, Virginia. USS Helena was a United States Navy, St. Louis class light cruiser She was launched on August 27, 1939. Helena was part of the Pacific Fleet at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked on December 7, 1941. The Helena was moored in the berth normally assigned to the battleship USS Pennsylvania, so Helena became a prime target for Japanese planes. A Japanese torpedo bomber launched a torpedo which hit the Helena on the starboard side as the crew raced to battle stations. The explosion partly lifted the ship bodily amidships just forward of the number three gun mount. Twenty men were killed immediately. Thirty-four of Helena‍ '​s sailors were killed and sixty nine were wounded during the Japanese attack. Helena began to flood and had slight list; however, only one of the two engine rooms and one boiler room were flooded. With attacking planes flying overhead, the crew broke out the service ammunition, and by 8:01 a.m. the ship began to fight back by sending up anti-aircraft fire. Richard Henry Dobbins was manning his station in the forward fire room when the torpedo hit, flooding the area. His body was recovered on December 18, 1941.

 

Albert James Dobbins was born in St. Louis, Missouri, on February 25, 1920. A graduate of Salam High School, he enlisted in the United States Navy for six years on November 3, 1939. After training at the U.S. Naval Training Center at Great Lakes, Illinois, he was assigned to the USS Hammann. The Hammann was a USN Sims class destroyer, launched on February 4, 1939. After a shakedown cruise off the east coast, she spent the next two years participating in training and readiness operations off both coasts. On May 8, 1942, the Hammann took part in the Battle of the Coral Sea, the first naval engagement fought between aircraft and ships. The Hammann screened the U.S. carriers, firing at Japanese torpedo planes and bombers as they attacked. One Japanese bomb exploded 200 yards off Hammann‍’s starboard bow. The aircraft carrier USS Lexington took two torpedo hits to her port side. A large internal explosion on the Lexington followed by other explosions doomed the ship. The order was given to abandon the Lexington. The destroyers Hammann, Morris and Anderson stood by to rescue survivors. The destroyers picked up nearly 500 men from the water before the Lexington went down on the night of May 8, 1942. Hammann with the remaining task force was sent to Pearl Harbor to make repairs. The task force got underway on May 30, 1942, in time to take part in the Battle of Midway. During that battle on June 4, 1942, Hammann screened the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown. The Hammann helped to shoot down many of the attacking Japanese aircraft. The Yorktown took two torpedo hits, and listing heavily, she was abandoned. Hammann picked up survivors in the water and transferred them to the larger ships. The next morning an effort was made to save the stricken carrier. A skeleton crew returned on board the Yorktown and attempted to tow her to safety. Hammann came alongside on June 6 to transfer a damage control party. The Hammann tied up next to the Yorktown providing electrical power, hoses and water for firefighting. The protective destroyer screen was penetrated by the Japanese submarine I-58. She loosed four torpedoes - one missed, two passed under Hammann and hit the Yorktown, and the fourth torpedo hit the Hammann amidships, breaking her in half. The Hammann sank bow first in just four minutes. Following the sinking, the destroyer's depth charges and torpedoes exploded under water killing many of the sailors in the water. This brought the death toll to eighty. Seaman First Class Albert James Dobbins was severely injured aboard the Yorktown and was taken aboard the destroyer USS Benham where he died on June 6, 1944. He was buried at sea.

[kanemono]

next...

[kanemono]

Richard Henry Dobbins...

[kanemono]

USS Helena

[kanemono]

Albert James Dobbins

[ssggates]

A great, sobering group and awesome research and write-up. Thanks for sharing!

[Wharfmaster]

Most tragic. As they say, " Freedom Ain't Free ". We remember.

 

Rest in peace.

 

 

 

 

Wharf

[tarbridge]

One of the most poignant and rare groups to be found.RIP...

[Navy Dan]

Words can not express !

Thanks for posting and preserving the Dobbins family history.

Incredible Navy Family !

Dan

[Gary B]

Unbelievable! Remarkably rare groupings that show the multiple sacrifice of a family over 2 generations. Thanks for showing and preserving this family's sacrifice.

 

Looking back at the dates...within 19 months the wife/mother lost; one son at Pearl Harbor, 7 months later her second son at Midway and then her husband a year after that.

 

Gary B

[JDK]

Thanks for sharing these historic groups and for remembering their service. Haven't seen anything like this in a while!

 

JD

[kanemono]

Thank you all for the comments. I wanted to post this group for Veterans Day. These are people who would be forgotten forever if not for collectors like us on this forum. I am the temporary caretaker of this group as George Pradarits was before me. If legislation to forbid the sale of Purple Hearts passes, sterling silver Purple Hearts such as these would be melted for their silver value and these brave men would be forgotten forever.

Dick

[BEAST]

Dick, Thank you very much for posting this tribute to these brave Hoosiers. May they never be forgotten!

[Thor996]

thank you for sharing this -

what a sad heroic and tragic and outstanding group --I hope that legislation dies in committee -

[doyler]

Superb tribute Dick.

 

Thanks for posting

[TheMariner]

Thanks for posting, this medal grouping truly embodies the saying freedom is not free! I can't imagine what the mother went through closing both sons and her husband in 2 years!

[Hermanus]

At the going down of the sun

and in the morning

we shall remember them.

 

Thank you so much for showing us this group. A shiver down my spine.

 

Herman

[Mach]

Wow. By far one of the most outstanding family groups I have ever seen. Such a tragic story...

[pchepurko]

I can not image what the wife/mother went through.

[katieony]

A lot of pain for one family to endure. Thank you for sharing their story.

Mike

[Terry K.]

Wow!

[KASTAUFFER]

Real history. Thanks for sharing this group.

 

Kurt

[Pete-o MSU]

Very sobering group, what the family must have went through I can't even begin to imagine.

 

Peter

[devildog34]

Simply phenomenal write up. A tremendous sacrifice by one American family and a microcosm of the greater price paid.

Semper Fi

[Dirk]

Very moving group Dick! Thank you for sharing.