Does Anybody Know The Exact Casualties Suffered By The Navy and Coast Guard At Tarawa?

[patches]

All I seem to get is the sinking of Liscombe Bay, clearly a lot more of USN and USCG people got killed and wounded at Tarawa than the crew of Liscombe Bay. So is is there a figure out there?

[12thengr]

Sorry Patches, can't help with a figure. Didn't one of the battleships involved have a turret explosion?

[12thengr]

Sorry Patches, can't help with a figure. Didn't one of the battleships involved have a turret explosion?

Hmmm, Google is your friend. USS Mississippi Nov '43 off Makin Is. 47 sailors killed in a turret explosion. From our own forum and not for the first time for the Mississippi.

[patches]

Hmmm, Google is your friend. USS Mississippi Nov '43 off Makin Is. 47 sailors killed in a turret explosion. From our own forum and not for the first time for the Mississippi.

Right, I seen those, I'm talking about those personnel KIA and WIA in the assault landing, in example boat crews etc.

[Salvage Sailor]

Operation Galvanic - Gilbert Islands USN Casualties (KIA/DOW Tarawa) November 17th to 22nd, 1943 (excluding the USS Liscombe Bay)

 

November 17, 1943, Construction Battalion 2 (Special), Gilbert Islands Operation, HOBERG, Lawrence Ormer, CM1, 6642149, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 17, 1943 (bp/3)

November 17, 1943, Construction Battalion 2 (Special), Gilbert Islands operations, POTVIN, Ovila Laurence, PTR3, 6066819, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 17, 1943 (bp/1)

November 18, 1943, Bombing Squadron 9 (USS Essex), Gilbert Islands operation, CONRATH, Paul K, LTJG, 112437, (CasCode6222), dd January 11, 1946 (bp/2)

November 18, 1943, Bombing Squadron 9 (USS Essex), Gilbert Islands operation, MONTEE, Norris H, AMM2, 6281708, (CasCode6222), dd January 11, 1946 (bp/2)

November 19, 1943, Fighting Squadron 5 (USS Yorktown), Gilbert Islands operation, FURSTENBERG, John B, LT, 104097, (CasCode122) died of wounds, dd November 19, 1943 (bp/2)

November 19, 1943, Torpedo Squadron 16 (USS Lexington), Gilbert Islands operation, SPALDING, Robert, ARM2, 2244287, (CasCode6222), dd January 11, 1946 (bp/2)

November 19, 1943, Torpedo Squadron 16 (USS Lexington), Gilbert Islands operation, STEVENS, William W, AMM2, 6062804, (CasCode6222), dd January 11, 1946 (bp/2)

November 19, 1943, Torpedo Squadron 16 (USS Lexington), Gilbert Islands operation, WHITE, Norman E, LTJG, 12542, (CasCode6222), dd January 11, 1946 (bp/2)

November 20, 1943, Composite Squadron 33 (USS Coral Sea), Gilbert Islands operation, BRANTLEY, Harold Hughes, AMM2, 6402590, (CasCode122) died of wounds, dd November 20, 1943 (bp/2)

November 20, 1943, Composite Squadron 33 (USS Coral Sea), Gilbert Islands operation, SCHOLZ, Richard F, ENSIGN, 145544, (CasCode6422), dd November 20, 1943 (bp/2)

November 20, 1943, Composite Squadron 33 (USS Coral Sea), Gilbert Islands operation, VERON, Delmayne E, ARM3, 6449221, (CasCode6222), dd November 21, 1944 (bp/2)

November 20, 1943, Fighting Squadron 16 (USS Lexington), Gilbert Islands operation, JOHNSON, William N, ENSIGN, 158252, (CasCode122) died of wounds, dd November 20, 1943 (bp/2)

November 20, 1943, Fighting Squadron 16 (USS Lexington), Gilbert Islands operation, OCALLAHAN, Robert E, ENSIGN, 158118, (CasCode6222), dd November 21, 1944 (bp/2)

November 20, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands Operation, BARKER, James Dudley, PHM2, 6647389, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 20, 1943 (bp/3)

November 20, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands Operation, BOWMAN, Joseph David, PHM2, 6647370, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 20, 1943 (bp/3)

November 20, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands Operation, COX, John R, PHM2, 6126065, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 20, 1943 (bp/3)

November 20, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands Operation, HALE, J. A, Jr, PHM3, 5765184, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 20, 1943 (bp/3)

November 20, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands Operation, HANNA, Robert Glen, PHM2, 3724343, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 20, 1943 (bp/3)

November 20, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands Operation, MAREINA, George E, PHM3, 5641877, (CasCode 6221) missing, later declared dead, dd November 21, 1944 (bp/3)

November 20, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands Operation, RIX, Gilmore V, PHM3, 3827691, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 20, 1943 (bp/3)

November 20, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands Operation, SKAGGS, Hayward H, Jr, HA1, 6714279, (CasCode 6221) missing, later declared dead, dd November 21, 1944 (bp/3)

November 20, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands Operation, VINCENT, Ward R, LT, 134844, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 20, 1943 (bp/3)

November 20, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands Operation, WELTE, Edwin J, LT, 108169, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 20, 1943 (bp/3)

November 20, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands operations, ANDERSON, Wyllys Rwbert (Sic), PHM2, 6185556, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 20, 1943 (bp/1)

November 20, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands operations, BLANCHERI, William Horace, PHM2, 6339371, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 20, 1943 (bp/1)

November 20, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands operations, BRISBANE, Howard Pascal, PHM3, 6447186, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 20, 1943 (bp/1)

November 20, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands operations, DUNCAN, Merlin E, PHM2, 6604936, (CasCode 6221) missing, later declared dead, dd November 21, 1944 (bp/1)

November 20, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands operations, HAMAR, Richard O, PHM2, 6546344, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 20, 1943 (bp/1)

November 20, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands operations, HARDY, John E, PHM3, 5557849, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 20, 1943 (bp/1)

November 20, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands operations, MURPHY, Thomas Jesse, PHM2, 6263804, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 20, 1943 (bp/1)

November 20, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands operations, SHIELDS, John W, HA1, 6633305, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 20, 1943 (bp/1)

November 20, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands operations, SMITH, Robert C, PHM1, 3600971, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 20, 1943 (bp/1)

November 20, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands operations, WATKINS, Henry F, HA1, 6378291, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 20, 1943 (bp/1)

November 20, 1943, USS Ashland (LSD-1), Gilbert Islands Operation, HENLEY, Thomas Edward, COX, 5651505, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 20, 1943 (bp/3)

November 21, 1943, First Marine Division, Gilbert Islands operations, HILDEBRAND, John K, PHM1, 3831354, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 21, 1943 (bp/1)

November 21, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands Operation, COBURN, Henry C, PHM1, 3421298, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 21, 1943 (bp/3)

November 21, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands operations, MCGUFFIN, William W, PHM2, 3723955, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 21, 1943 (bp/1)

November 21, 1943, Sixth Marines, Gilbert Islands Operation, KATHAN, Fred E, PHM1, 3759738, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 21, 1943 (bp/3)

November 22, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands Operation, GILMORE, Raymond P, PHM2, 3761971, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 22, 1943 (bp/3)

November 22, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands Operation, ROGERS, Ivan L, HA2, 6705534, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 22, 1943 (bp/3)

November 22, 1943, Second Marine Division, Gilbert Islands operations, PEEBLES, Kenneth Norman, HA1, 6336195, (CasCode121) killed in combat, dd November 22, 1943 (bp/1)

Source: UNITED STATES NAVY CASUALTIES - BUREAU OF PERSONNEL ENTRIES by DATE - 1943

[patches]

Thanks salvage, majority are Corpsman as we see for the 20th on, only one boot crewman, the one on Ashland.

 

November 20, 1943, USS Ashland (LSD-1), Gilbert Islands Operation, HENLEY, Thomas Edward, COX, 5651505, (CasCode121) killed in combat.

 

http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/12/1201.htm

 

 

Would Coast Guard be listed? Or would you know if they had no KIAs?

[Salvage Sailor]

I've only seen the USN/USMC lists compiled by the Navy. Coast Guard would be a different Department archive

 

November 20, 1943

Landings commenced at Makin and Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands. The Coast Guard-manned assault transport USS Leonard Wood, veteran of the landings made in the Mediterranean, participated. She landed 1,788 officers and men of the 165th Combat Team of the U.S. Army's 27th Division, on Makin Island. Coast Guard-manned LST-20, LST-23, LST-69, LST-169, LST-205, and the USS Arthur Middleton, and the following Navy ships with partial Coast Guard crews: USSs Heywood, Bellatrix, and William P. Biddle, participated in the bloody assault of Tarawa.

http://www.naval-history.net/WW2UScasaaDB-USCGbyDATE.htm

[MastersMate]

The Coast Guard WW 2 History series note USN casualties on Tarawa as 26 USN KIA and 48 USN WIA. No Coast Guard casualties noted in the report.

[patches]

That's great Salvage, and thanks too Masters, for the CG info.

[patches]

I wonder what happened to Ashland, how Henley got it, as a Landing Ship Dock, wouldn't think it got in to the shore that close right (Or am I wrong?) so a long range Japanese artillery hit?

[Salvage Sailor]

More than likely he was an assault boat crewman on one of the Mike boats or another craft assigned to USS ASHLAND

 

Log book entries

 

20 November 1943

Steaming in company approximately seven miles from TARAWA Island in approach attach formation following in wake of Bellsytix at 1000 yards, on course 270 T, Speed 8 knots (114 RPM) Condition Yoke set, 5" gun manned. Ship darkened. Radar and TBY manned. Continued steaming on various speeds to keep in formation. 0042 Changed base course to 315 T. 0312 Commenced ballasting.

0400 Stopped all engines, commenced ballasting. 0452 Hoisted out LCP®. 0506 LCMs 1,6 and 9 left ship. 0509 LCMs 7,2 and 3 left ship. 0514 LCMs 5,8 and 11 left ship. 0519 LCMs 14, 10 and 13 left ship. 0525 LCMs 12, 15 and 4 left ship. 0530 Ceased ballasting. 0537 Pontoon Barge left ship. 0542 Commenced unballasting. 0547 hoisted out LCVP. 0615 LCPR left ship with Recon. party. 0615 LCVP left ship with Pilot, Lt. Page. Ship remaining in transport area off Helen maintaining position using various courses and slow speeds, Captain Conning. 0750 Completed unballasting, mean draft 16'7".

Steaming on various courses at various speeds to maintain position in transport area. 0824 Hoisted in LCVP #2. 1045 LCM #10 came alongside. 1048 LCM 14 returned, 1050 LCM 1 returned. 1055 Commenced loading oil drums into LCM 10. 1100 LCPR alongside with one Marine casualty - LCMs 4 and 5 re-turned. 1118 LCM 8 alongside. 1130 Hoisted Marine casualties six in number until 1154 -- 1155 LCM 15 with ammunition left for the beach.

1206 LCM #8 Cast off. 1206 LCM #3 returned & 2 Marine casualties taken aboard. 1216 LCM #3 cast off. 1217 LCM #2 returned and 2 Marine casualties taken on aboard. 1229 LCM #2 cast off. 1235 LCM #7 returned and 2 Marine casualties taken on board & LCM #7 cast off. 1246 LCM #14 left for Sherian. 1440 LCMs 8, 10, 11 & 7 left for Monrovia. 1445 Lt. Col. Sevinciski USMC embarked in LCM #2. 1450 LCM #3 & 1452 LCM #3 cast off for beach. 1515 LCMs 12 & 5 left ship for Monrovia. 1524 LCPR left ship with Marine casualty for Monrovia. 1526 LCM #9 left ship for Monrovia. 1534 LCM #10 left ship for lagoon.

1812 Sunset. Darkened ship. Set condition 2 Mike on 5" gun. 1816 Went to General Quarters. 1835 Commenced firing starboard battery. 1837 Ceased firing. 1945 Secured from General Quarters.

[patches]

To clarify Sal, is this from Ashland's Log Book?

[Salvage Sailor]

To clarify Sal, is this from Ashland's Log Book?

 

Yes indeed

 

LOG OF THE UNITED STATES SHIP USS ASHLAND LSD-1 http://www.ussashland.org/40folder/historyww2.htm

[patches]

 

Yes indeed

 

LOG OF THE UNITED STATES SHIP USS ASHLAND LSD-1 http://www.ussashland.org/40folder/historyww2.htm

Their War Diary, incredible post, thanks.