USS HOUSTON CA-30 Sunk Feb 28, 1942 - Java

[bobgee]

USS HOUSTON CA-30 at Shanghai in September, 1933 ironically in full dress in honor of the 30th birthday of Emperor Hirohito of Japan.

 

"The Galloping Ghost of the Java Coast"

 

That was the name given to the Cruiser USS HOUSTON CA-30, Flagship of the Asiatic Fleet, under the command of Admiral Thomas C, Hart, USN, in the press following reports of the sea battles near the Phillipines and Borneo and Java starting on Dec 8, 1941 when she was reported sunk several times by the Japanese.

 

Launched at Newport News, Virginia in 1929, she became the Presidential Flagship of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1934. She was a favorite of his and he sailed aboard her on extended cruises in 1935, 1938 and 1939.

 

In November 1940 she returned to the Pacific as the Flagship of the Asiatic Fleet under Admiral Thomas C. Hart, USN, commanded by Captain Albert H, Rooks, USN, and was anchored off Panay when news came of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor. It was December 8, 1941 in the Phillipines. Getting underway at once she was involved in escort duties as part of Task Force 5 and eventually made it to the port city of Darwin, Australia.

 

On Feb 3, 1942 she became part of a striking force under the command of Dutch Rear Admiral Karl Doorman, which consisted of the HOUSTON, U.S. light Cruiser MARBLEHEAD, Dutch light Cruisers DeRuyter and Tromp and seven American and Dutch destroyers. Enroute to attack Japanese forces off southern Celebes Island, the Allied force was attacked by 54 land-based Japanese bombers for over two hours. HOUSTON, the largest vessel present bore the brunt of the attacks. She managed to shoot down several attacking bombers even though 75 percent of her 3" anti-aircraft ammunition proved faulty. Her after turret was hit by a 500 pound bomb totally demolishing it and killing 48 crewmen and wounding more than 20.

 

The attack was cancelled and the force dispersed with HOUSTON retiring to Tjilatjap, Java to make repairs and bury her dead. She returned safely to Darwin and on Feb 16, 1942 escorting a force of U.S. and Australian troops in four transports to occupy Koepang, Timor and escorted by USS PEARY and two Australian corvettes was again attacked by Japanese bombers for more than 45 minutes but this time drove them off, shooting down several with no damage to a single ship. However the attacking force was directed to return to Darwin as reports had been received that the Japanese had already captured Koepang.

 

HOUSTON was safely back in Darwin on Feb 18th when for some reason, Capt. Rooks decided to get his ship underway shortly after dark and was well to the west when the Japanese mounted a surprise attack on Darwin harbor utilizing 188 carrier based fighters and dive bombers and 54 land based twin-engined bombers. The port was devestated and eight ships were sunk including the destroyer USS PEARY. The Japanese once again reported the sinking of the HOUSTON.

 

She made Soerabaja, Java in late afternoon of Feb. 24th. Enemy bombing air attacks were experienced several times a day from high altitude, outside the range of HOUSTON's guns.

 

On Feb. 27th. an Allied task Force assembled in an attempt to attack a large well-defended Japnese convoy in the Java Sea about 60 miles north of Soerabaja. These ships of an international coalition had never operated together and were severly handicapped by what was described as an "appalling" lack of common signal and intership communications.

 

In tactical command was Dutch Rear Admiral Doorman aboard light Cruiser RNN DERUYTER. In addition there was HOUSTON, British heavy Cruiser HMS EXETER, Australian light Cruiser HMAS PERTH, Dutch light Cruiser RNN JAVA and nine Allied destroyers. The enemy Japanese force was reported to consist of two heavy cruisers, with perhaps two more near-by, two light cruisers, two flotillas of six destroyers each led by a light cruiser and an undetermined number of submarines.

 

During the initial contact, which lasted from mid afternoon until midnight, EXETER was badly damaged; DERUYTER with Admiral Doorman aboard and JAVA were sunk. Two British destroyers and a Dutch destroyer were also sunk. Enemy losses are in conflict with the Japanese admitting to having only one destroyer damaged though observers claim otherwise. HOUSTON was hit twice but the shells did not explode and she sufferred no loses.

 

HOUSTON and PERTH escaped and they entered the port for Batavia, Java in the afternoon of Feb 28th. They refueled and rested a bit while planning an escape through the Sunda Strait to the Indian Ocean. At 11:15 PM that evening they were nearing the Strait when a force of ten Japnese destroyers led by a cruiser was found to be blocking their way. HOUSTON and PERTH immediately opened fire. They had stumbled undetected into the middle of the largest amphibious landing force that the Japanese had yet attmpted in the SW Pacific. There were sixty transports waiting to unload troops for the capture of Java. A fierce battle followed for the next hour with PERTH expending all her ammunition and being sunk.

 

HOUSTON continued to fight until she was out of ammunition. She was hit by several torpedoes and was on fire. She sunk taking more than half her crew to the bottom. She and PERTH sold themselves dearly with estimates as to the number of Japanese ships sunk reported upwards of seventeen with others badly damaged.

 

USS HOUSTON was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for her actions. Here is an original copy of that citatation:

 

Of her crew of nearly 1084 officers and men aboard, 720 were killed in action, 364 survived the sinking and made it to shore where they were captured by the Japanese, 76 died in captivity. Marine PFC Arlando W. Kendrick was not among them. He died fighting aboard and details of his final moments are unknown. Some artifacts survive and they are proudly shown here.

 

HOUSTON's Marine Detachment consisted of 4 officers and 63 enlisted men. Among them was PFC Arlando Wilkes Kendrick USMC of Oklahoma who had enlisted in Oklahoma City, OK in June 1940. Following graduation from Recruit Training with Platoon 48 at MCRD, San Diego.

 

More to follow:

[bobgee]

Kendrick joined HOUSTON right out of Sea School and sent this postcard to a family member:

 

By December 8th, 1941 he was a 'veteran', having made PFC aboard on Aug. 8, 1941. After the war started, he sent this postcard to his family on December 18, 1941, presumably mailed from Australia:

 

[bobgee]

The war news from the Pacific was not good and his mother wrote to the the President and the Navy seeking news of her son and his ship. This reply dated Feb 26th 1942 was received from HQMC. As can be seen little helpful news was provided.

 

 

The following letter was received from Adm. Thomas C. Hart USN former Commander of the Asiatic Fleet which also fails to reassure.

 

It was not until after the war that news was recived concerning the true fate of the crew of USS HOUSTON. In the interim, Kendrick had been carried on the rolls of the "Prisoners of War & Missing Persons Detachment" at HQMC. He was declared to have been Killed in Action on December 15, 1945.

 

In February 1946, his family received his Purple Heart certificate with no date of death shown, shown here. Note that it had been framed and sufferred water damage with a number of the other documents. Fortunately, they survived.

 

 

The Presidential Accolade was received from the White House bearing the facsimile signature of President Truman. It show his date of death as 15 December 1945 (presumed). Of course this was the date of the finding and should be Feb 28, 1942 or a year and a day later. It was also previously framed and water-damaged.

 

 

In 1948 the Marine Corps sent a statement of service:

 

[bobgee]

This is the reverse of the statement of service which shows that he was lost, Missing in Action, on Feb 28, 1942 while serving aboard USS HOUSTON and declared dead on Dec 15, 1945.

 

Whe I received the group many years ago, it came with a Navy type Purple Heart case with a PUC ribbon and a USMC Basic Badge in the brown outer container marked with Kendrick's name. There was no Purple Heart and the inner pad of the PH case is missing. I assume that the family received an engraved Posthumous PH medal but its whereabout are unknown. I added the un-named wrap-brooch medal to the group. All documents and photos shown except the SRB page are original.

 

Houston's Captain Albert H. Rooks was posthunously award the Medal of Honor.

 

 

Semper Fi........Bob

 

P.S. Sorry for the duplication of some photos. Guess I just hit the wrong button! Bob

[Teamski]

A very historic grouping, that is for sure! Thanks for sharing.

 

-Ski

[1stDivVet]

Nice grouping!! I was looking for something the other day and found a USS Houston pillow cover.. I was gonna photo it and post it.. What a coincinence.. Must be a sign.. My little thing is nothing close to this nice tho..

 

Fins.

[teufelhunde.ret]

A wonderful group Bob. Thank you for preserving his history of service and sharing this story with us!

[trenchbuff]

You have an amazing collection Bob, and you're one heck of an historian!

 

Mark

[bobgee]

I can recommend the following book if anyone wants to read more about USS HOUSTON CA-30

"Ship of Ghosts: The Story of the USS Houston, FDR's Legendary Lost Cruiser, and the Epic Saga of her Survivors" by James Hornfischer

Semper Fi.....Bob

[KASTAUFFER]

Hi Bob

 

Nice group, even if the medal was missing. That " I Am Well" postcard from the USS Houston is a vey rare postal item on its own too. You would be surprised what a postal history collector would pay for it.

 

Here is a thread I did reently on the USS Houston's medical officer:

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...showtopic=20062

 

Kurt

[vicjoy1945]

Fantastic, complete, and historic grouping Bob !!

 

I have several posthumous Navy PH/CGs pairs for this action/ship...tough to find USMC examples for the obvious reason.

 

Thanks for showing !!

 

Vic

[Dirk]

Bob: Very moving little grouping. Dirk

[Rustykamel]

Hi, What a wonderful thread this is. Thank you for sharing. In a February 1943 report, Lieut. General Thomas Holcomb, Commandant, U.S. Marine Corps, had this to say about the old salts who had served on the Asiatic Station: "There were Marines in China and Guam, comparatively small detachments, isolated in the midst of the enemy. Part of the Fourth Regiment recently had been transferred to the Philippines, and they at least had the chance to go down fighting. But go down they did, casualties or prisoners; as did the base defense battalion and air squadron whose defense of Wake Island made history, and the Marine guards on the capital ships of the Asiatic Squadron who fought in the Java Sea. These were among the best men we had, officers and enlisted personnel alike. We could use those irreplaceable men today."

 

My very best wishes, Jim

[Raidercollector]

BoB

 

Just a outstanding group on the USS Houston A-30. Very well Documented. Its very hard to get all the doc;s with a group. Especially to a marine abroad a ship.

I like it alot. Mine that I posted earlier on this forum is on the second USS Houston. But it was not sunk. And I only have the transmittal and heart in the purple box. Bob you did it agin. I injoy looking at your groups. Keep them coming

 

 

Nick

[0811gysgt]

The named Purple Heart for PFC Arlando W. Kendrick just sold on Ebay buy it now for $265. It was listed for a whole 30 seconds. I hope someone in this forum got it. The seller even linked this posting to the auction.

[ww1collector]

 

USS HOUSTON CA-30 at Shanghai in September, 1933 ironically in full dress in honor of the 30th birthday of Emperor Hirohito of Japan.

 

 

"The Galloping Ghost of the Java Coast"

 

 

That was the name given to the Cruiser USS HOUSTON CA-30, Flagship of the Asiatic Fleet, under the command of Admiral Thomas C, Hart, USN, in the press following reports of the sea battles near the Phillipines and Borneo and Java starting on Dec 8, 1941 when she was reported sunk several times by the Japanese.

 

Launched at Newport News, Virginia in 1929, she became the Presidential Flagship of President Franklin Delano Roosevelt in 1934. She was a favorite of his and he sailed aboard her on extended cruises in 1935, 1938 and 1939.

 

In November 1940 she returned to the Pacific as the Flagship of the Asiatic Fleet under Admiral Thomas C. Hart, USN, commanded by Captain Albert H, Rooks, USN, and was anchored off Panay when news came of the Japanese attack at Pearl Harbor. It was December 8, 1941 in the Phillipines. Getting underway at once she was involved in escort duties as part of Task Force 5 and eventually made it to the port city of Darwin, Australia.

 

On Feb 3, 1942 she became part of a striking force under the command of Dutch Rear Admiral Karl Doorman, which consisted of the HOUSTON, U.S. light Cruiser MARBLEHEAD, Dutch light Cruisers DeRuyter and Tromp and seven American and Dutch destroyers. Enroute to attack Japanese forces off southern Celebes Island, the Allied force was attacked by 54 land-based Japanese bombers for over two hours. HOUSTON, the largest vessel present bore the brunt of the attacks. She managed to shoot down several attacking bombers even though 75 percent of her 3" anti-aircraft ammunition proved faulty. Her after turret was hit by a 500 pound bomb totally demolishing it and killing 48 crewmen and wounding more than 20.

 

The attack was cancelled and the force dispersed with HOUSTON retiring to Tjilatjap, Java to make repairs and bury her dead. She returned safely to Darwin and on Feb 16, 1942 escorting a force of U.S. and Australian troops in four transports to occupy Koepang, Timor and escorted by USS PEARY and two Australian corvettes was again attacked by Japanese bombers for more than 45 minutes but this time drove them off, shooting down several with no damage to a single ship. However the attacking force was directed to return to Darwin as reports had been received that the Japanese had already captured Koepang.

 

HOUSTON was safely back in Darwin on Feb 18th when for some reason, Capt. Rooks decided to get his ship underway shortly after dark and was well to the west when the Japanese mounted a surprise attack on Darwin harbor utilizing 188 carrier based fighters and dive bombers and 54 land based twin-engined bombers. The port was devestated and eight ships were sunk including the destroyer USS PEARY. The Japanese once again reported the sinking of the HOUSTON.

 

She made Soerabaja, Java in late afternoon of Feb. 24th. Enemy bombing air attacks were experienced several times a day from high altitude, outside the range of HOUSTON's guns.

 

On Feb. 27th. an Allied task Force assembled in an attempt to attack a large well-defended Japnese convoy in the Java Sea about 60 miles north of Soerabaja. These ships of an international coalition had never operated together and were severly handicapped by what was described as an "appalling" lack of common signal and intership communications.

 

In tactical command was Dutch Rear Admiral Doorman aboard light Cruiser RNN DERUYTER. In addition there was HOUSTON, British heavy Cruiser HMS EXETER, Australian light Cruiser HMAS PERTH, Dutch light Cruiser RNN JAVA and nine Allied destroyers. The enemy Japanese force was reported to consist of two heavy cruisers, with perhaps two more near-by, two light cruisers, two flotillas of six destroyers each led by a light cruiser and an undetermined number of submarines.

 

During the initial contact, which lasted from mid afternoon until midnight, EXETER was badly damaged; DERUYTER with Admiral Doorman aboard and JAVA were sunk. Two British destroyers and a Dutch destroyer were also sunk. Enemy losses are in conflict with the Japanese admitting to having only one destroyer damaged though observers claim otherwise. HOUSTON was hit twice but the shells did not explode and she sufferred no loses.

 

HOUSTON and PERTH escaped and they entered the port for Batavia, Java in the afternoon of Feb 28th. They refueled and rested a bit while planning an escape through the Sunda Strait to the Indian Ocean. At 11:15 PM that evening they were nearing the Strait when a force of ten Japnese destroyers led by a cruiser was found to be blocking their way. HOUSTON and PERTH immediately opened fire. They had stumbled undetected into the middle of the largest amphibious landing force that the Japanese had yet attmpted in the SW Pacific. There were sixty transports waiting to unload troops for the capture of Java. A fierce battle followed for the next hour with PERTH expending all her ammunition and being sunk.

 

HOUSTON continued to fight until she was out of ammunition. She was hit by several torpedoes and was on fire. She sunk taking more than half her crew to the bottom. She and PERTH sold themselves dearly with estimates as to the number of Japanese ships sunk reported upwards of seventeen with others badly damaged.

 

USS HOUSTON was awarded a Presidential Unit Citation for her actions. Here is an original copy of that citatation:

 

 

Of her crew of nearly 1084 officers and men aboard, 720 were killed in action, 364 survived the sinking and made it to shore where they were captured by the Japanese, 76 died in captivity. Marine PFC Arlando W. Kendrick was not among them. He died fighting aboard and details of his final moments are unknown. Some artifacts survive and they are proudly shown here.

 

 

HOUSTON's Marine Detachment consisted of 4 officers and 63 enlisted men. Among them was PFC Arlando Wilkes Kendrick USMC of Oklahoma who had enlisted in Oklahoma City, OK in June 1940. Following graduation from Recruit Training with Platoon 48 at MCRD, San Diego.

 

 

More to follow:

 

There were 74 Marines on board-50 were KIA according to some sources.

[bobgee]

The named Purple Heart for PFC Arlando W. Kendrick just sold on Ebay buy it now for $265. It was listed for a whole 30 seconds. I hope someone in this forum got it. The seller even linked this posting to the auction.

 

Well I knew it had to be out there somewhere. Wish the seller had contacted me. I would have done a lot better than $265!!!!! If anyone has info on it I'd like to hear from them. Semper Fi........Bobgee

[KASTAUFFER]

If you have the auction link, wait until the buyer posts feedback and then you will know who won it and can contact them.

 

Kurt

[JDK]

I hope you can re unite it to this great group!

 

JD

[MilitaryWired]

Just in case the suspense is still killing you guys...

 

FYI this has been just reunited with the grouping that Bob has.

 

[Wharfmaster]

Well done!

 

 

W

[KASTAUFFER]

Excellent!!!!

 

Kurt

[ww1collector]

Great-glad to hear it. Dave

[JDK]

That's great! It is where it should be.

 

JD

[devildog34]

Very very nice to see this reunited! I'm so pleased this worked out. Can't wait to see it in person.

Semper Fi