USS San Francisco Helmet: The Trilogy

[AnDuc49]

Hello all,

At this point after talking with the seller and him having already sold all the helmets he had available, it might be some time now before I’ll have the chance to obtain another one. Until then, I hope you guys will enjoy this last thread.

 

Like the others that I’ve posted, the helmet shell itself is a FS SB that has been heavily repainted on at least three separate occasions. The helmet shows a lot of light surface rust, most likely from being stored in poor conditions after the helmets were moved into the warehouse. I assume it was also a combination of rust and dry-rotting which took the chinstrap connector as I don’t think it was purposely cut . While the Hawley liner is in poor condition as well, most of the webbing is present. On the front of the liner, the sailor has drawn 3 “Bars” (not sure what this represents) as well as a ship’s wheel, a representation of the rating used by Quartermasters in the US Navy. On the inside brim of the liner, the sailor has also penciled in his name, “Pescott”. While I initially thought it was “P.E. Scott” due to the spacing, there was no one with that name who served aboard the USS San Francisco. However, there was indeed a Robert Pescott, who served aboard the San Francisco as a Quartermaster.

 

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Edwin Robert Blackmar was born in San Francisco, CA on the 13th of August, 1921 to Robert Pierpoint Blackmar and Ruth Pescott Blackmar. For unknown reasons, he was put up for adoption and on the 28th of March 1924, he was adopted by James Edwin Pescott and Edith Sophia Pescott also residing in San Francisco. At this point, Edwin’s name was legally changed to Robert Pescott. Not much is known about his childhood except that he would later attend Balboa High School in San Francisco from 1935-1939, graduating on the 10th of June. Four months later, restless and in search of a career, Mr. Pescott would enlist in the US Navy in mid-October of 1939. After leaving the following month for basic training in San Diego, CA, and graduating in January of 1940, Mr. Pescott would first serve a period of 15 months spanning from January 1940 to April 1941 as an Seaman 1/C aboard the Cincinnati (CL-6) serving in both the Pacific and Atlantic. His next stop would be aboard the Washington (BB-56), this time for a period of 18 months spanning from May of 1941 to late November of 1942. Prior to and shortly after the war began, the Washington spent the majority of this time in the Atlantic Ocean, working alongside the British Royal Navy. Some of her duties included convoy security as well as to act as a deterrent against German Raiders based out of Norway. During his time aboard the Washington, Mr. Pescott would be promoted to QM 3/C and entailed with watch standing, keeping logs and any cleaning details for the steering engine room.

 

In late August of 1942, as US and Japanese forces bitterly contested each other for control of Guadalcanal, the Washington was relocated to the Pacific, crossing through the Panama Canal. The Washington initially had little part in the fighting, rather she was tasked with escorting transports carrying supplies to the island. Due to this, she did not take part in the Night Battle of Cape Esperance or the Battle of Santa Cruz Is., remaining unscathed. By early November of 1942, with the loss of carriers Wasp and Hornet, this left the Enterprise as the last remaining carrier and along with the Washington and South Dakota as the only capital ships available. The Washington’s relatively easy service would soon change.

On the night of November 15th 1942, Washington, alongside the South Dakota and four Destroyers encountered the Japanese fleet off of Savo Island. The battle did not start well for the Americans. Destroyers Walke and Preston were hit and sunk within 10 minutes with heavy loss of life. Destroyer Benham had part of her bow blown off by a torpedo and was forced to retreat, sinking the next day. Destroyer Gwin was hit in her engine room and put out of the fight. Battleship South Dakota, less than 15 minutes into the fight, suffered a major error in the electrical switchboard room, knocking out her radar and rendering most of the ship’s radios and gun batteries inoperable. As she tried to trail along behind the Washington, she turned starboard to avoid ramming the Benham. However, fires from the burning destroyers illuminated the ship, making her a easy target for the Japanese. As a result, she was struck over 26 times which completely knocked out her communications and remaining gunfire control operations and set portions of her upper decks on fire, forcing her to retreat.

Now alone in the fight, the Washington, still undetected by the Japanese fleet, began to pummel the enemy. As the destroyer Ayanami engaged the American destroyer screen, muzzle flashes from her guns exposed her to the Washington. Struck several times by her shells, Ayanami’s crew abandoned the ship and she was later scuttled. Still undetected and with the South Dakota drawing the Japanese’s attention, the Washington focused on the battleship Kirishima and mauled her, striking her with nine 16 in. shells and up to forty 5 in. shells, knocking out her two forward turrets, holing her below the water-line and jamming her rudder. Badly damaged, she would sink later in the day. Turning her attention now to the cruisers Atago and Takao who had been firing on the South Dakota, the Washington opened fire on both. Though she did not score any significant hits, the heavy barrage convinced both ships to retreat. Throughout the entirety of the battle, though every other American ship which participated suffered damage or was sunk, the Washington miraculously emerged completely unscathed.

 

Following this strategic victory over the Japanese Navy, Mr. Pescott was promoted to QM 2/C and several days later, would be transferred over to the San Francisco. Aboard the new ship, his duties would change to being in charge of the bridge detail, in charge of storeroom maintenance of flags/pennants, standing watches and keeping all logs, charts and publications up to date. Spending the next 8 months onboard the San Francisco, Mr. Pescott fortunately enough arrived on the ship during a lull in action. The first two months were spent in Pearl Harbor as the ship underwent re-modeling and modernization. In late February of 1943, the ship returned back to the South Pacific, escorting a convoy before returning back to Hawaii in mid-April 1943. Shortly thereafter, she would steam upwards towards the Alaskan Peninsula, participating in the attack and occupation of the islands, Attu and Kiska. While providing convoy escort to allied transports in the region, Mr. Pescott would be promoted to QM 1/C. In mid-September 1943, the San Francisco returned back to Pearl Harbor where it underwent repairs. It was during this time that Mr. Pescott would be transferred off of the ship and in the following month, arrive at the Naval Submarine Base in New London, CN for training where he would eventually graduate in the top 20% of his class.

 

Upon completion of the three month long course, he would be assigned to a Gato-class submarine, the USS Lapon (SS-260). Arriving onboard in late-January of 1944, Mr. Pescott would serve aboard the Lapon for the rest of the war, participating in the sub’s 3rd, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th War Patrols. During his service aboard the Lapon, Mr. Pescott would be promoted to Chief QM, his duties extending to acting as the ship’s Assistant Navigator (taking stars and sun lines), running the Navigation Dept., maintaining the ship’s chronometers and serving with the decoding board. Throughout the course of her patrols, the Lapon would be credited with sinking 53,443 tons of Japanese shipping, receive 4 Battle Stars for her service and be awarded the Navy Unit Commendation for her brilliant performance on her 3rd-6th War Patrols.

 

“For distinguishing himself by excellent service and untiring performance of duty as a member of the [...] fire control party of his ship on [...] patrol in enemy controlled waters. [...] While so serving his ship successfully attacked Japanese shipping [...] winning the award of the Silver Star for his commanding officer. His vessel was continually in contact with enemy sea and air forces. His cool and efficient performance of duty during attacks contributed to the successful culmination of many attacks with resulting heavy damage to the enemy.”

 

Following the end of the war, he would marry Eupha “Boots” Juanita Justice, a fellow member of the Navy and have a son. Mr. Pescott would serve aboard several other submarines in the fleet, including the USS Sablefish for 18 months and the USS Tusk for nine months. Beginning in 1949, he became a recruiter and worked around the Pittsburgh area. In summary, he would serve for a total of 27 years in the Navy, retiring in 1966 at the rank of Lt. Commander.

 

For his service during WWII, he would be authorized to wear:

• Good Conduct Medal

• Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon

• Commendation Ribbon

• Submarine Combat Insignia with Three Stars

• Philippine Liberation Campaign Ribbon with Two Stars

• European Campaign Medal

• American Campaign Medal

• American Defense with Star

• Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Three Stars, including one for the Third Naval Battle of Savo Island while aboard the USS Washington

• Qualified as a “Shellback” after crossing the Equator on the 24th of March 1944 while serving aboard the USS Lapon

• WWII Victory Medal

 

Following the death of his wife in 2003, Mr. Pescott passed away at the age of 87 in November of 2008 in Washington D.C. Both he and his wife are interred at Arlington National Cemetery.

 

I hope you all enjoyed the read and learning more about the history of the USS San Francisco and the United States Navy in general and the important role it played during the war.

 

[AnDuc49]

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[AnDuc49]

Front of the liner showing the "Bars" and Ship Wheel

[AnDuc49]

Brim of the liner showing his surname "Pescott"

[AnDuc49]

Portrait of Mr. Pescott from his Service Record

[AnDuc49]

His grave at Arlington National Cemetery

[AnDuc49]

Muster Roll from the San Francisco listing him as a crew member

 

 

Summary of Service for his 1st Enlistment (covers pre and wartime years)

 

[The Rooster]

Once again Sir, an incredible job of research that you have done. Your posts reads like a book I'd like to keep reading.

Amamzing job you have done and a great way to cap off the story of the San Fransisco Helmets. One of which I was

fortunate enough to pick up. But you got all the named ones! Awesome !!!

It always amazes me to read the story of the person behind the helmet.

Great detail! Thank you !!!

 

The Washington was a charmed ship off of Savo Island..

 

Thank you Kahn! Great job!

[conn]

does the helmet have a laundry number or id of some sorts ?

i love old navy helmets and collect them

 

thank you

semper fi

[cmaher55]

Having been born in SF and raised in Pacifica I remember many times being brought to the USS San Francisco memorial in Lands End.... I have brought my children there since a few times...... Well done, love the history you have provided. Regards, Chris

 

[cmaher55]

[cmaher55]

[AnDuc49]

Once again Sir, an incredible job of research that you have done. Your posts reads like a book I'd like to keep reading.

Amamzing job you have done and a great way to cap off the story of the San Fransisco Helmets. One of which I was

fortunate enough to pick up. But you got all the named ones! Awesome !!!

It always amazes me to read the story of the person behind the helmet.

Great detail! Thank you !!!

 

The Washington was a charmed ship off of Savo Island..

 

Thank you Kahn! Great job!

 

I appreciate the very kind compliments sir, I am glad that you enjoyed the write up. It really has been nothing less than a joy to research these helmets.

 

does the helmet have a laundry number or id of some sorts ?

i love old navy helmets and collect them

 

thank you

semper fi

 

Hey Conn, Nothing besides the name "Pescott" on the brim and the Quartermaster Wheel on the front of the liner. Out of three that I have, none of them bothered to use their laundry number. Two of them including this one simply penciled in their name. On the other one, the guy took an name stamp of some sort and stamped his name all over the liner's suspension

 

Having been born in SF and raised in Pacifica I remember many times being brought to the USS San Francisco memorial in Lands End.... I have brought my children there since a few times...... Well done, love the history you have provided. Regards, Chris

 

 

Great photo of the San Francisco's damaged bridge wings. It is nice that they were preserved and not scrapped (I'm also just curious, but do you know if the memorial was created during the war or was it some time afterwards?).

 

If you're interested in reading more about the San Francisco and haven't already seen it, I do have two other helmets from the ship that I IDed and did write ups on as well. Thank you for your compliment as well, does mean a lot coming from someone who has some connection to the ship

[conn]

cool, thank you for the reply

[M24 Chaffee]

Great helmet and history and thread!

 

Frank