In God We Trust
On February 02, 1951, the Partridge struck a mine while clearing Wonsan Harbor and sank. There were eight fatalities. To read more about the USS Partridge, click here.
On February 02, 1951, the ramp on a landing craft accidentally fell on an Army Private who was a member of the Company B, 562nd Engineer Boat Shore Regiment, crushing his pelvis near Ulsani, South Korea.
This 64-foot craft was carrying three Army crewmen and 17 Air Force off-duty personnel on a weekend fishing trip when it was overturned by a huge wave six miles outside of the Golden Gate Bridge in San Francisco. The accident occurred on February 5, 1951, near the site where the sinking of the USS Benevolence hospital ship had taken place just months before. The wreckage of the hospital ship was still visible in the water.
There were six fatalities (three Air Force Coast Guard officers/three Army personnel). Fourteen survivors were found in the water. Five were rescued by the fishing craft, Jerry 11 and taken to Ft. Point Coast Guard station. Five were taken to Ft. Point in the private yacht, the Aloyd. The men were rescued after the Aloyd's owner and skipper, Lloyd A. Lundstrom, said that he saw 12 heads bobbing in the water and threw life buoys to them. Four others were rescued by a fishing boat owned by Nick Sasicos of San Francisco and taken to Ft. Baker. All of the rescued were hospitalized for various degrees of shock, exposure, and broken bones. The capsized tug was towed to the Fort Mason dock in San Francisco and a floating barge crane lifted it out of the water.
On March 09, 1951, an F4U-5N Corsair Night Fighter with Composite Squadron 3 aboard this aircraft carrier was on a combat mission when it plunged into the sea. The pilot was Missing in Action.
Baxter Hughes Cook - born April 30, 1922, Nashville, Tennessee
On March 11, 1951, a motorized whaleboat returning to the USS Saint Paul (CA-73) from the fleet flagship, USS Eldorado (AGC11) disappeared in Inchon Harbor, South Korea. Six seamen were missing in action.
On April 01, 1951, a crew member of this ship was lost at sea.
On April 16, 1951, an AD-4 Skyraider dive bomber with Attack Squadron 65, aboard the carrier USS Philippine Sea (CV-47), while on a combat mission over North Korea, was struck by anti-aircraft fire and crashed.
On April 20, 1951, while on a combat mission over North Korea, an F4U-4 Corsair fighter with Fighter Squadron 24 aboard this aircraft carrier was struck by anti-aircraft fire and crashed into the sea. The pilot was unable to eject.
On April 29, 1951, an F4U-4 Corsair fighter with Fighter Squadron 193 aboard this ship was on a combat mission over North Korea, when it was struck by anti-aircraft fire. The pilot parachuted safely to the ground about four miles east of the Hwachon Reservoir, where he was taken Prisoner of War and died while a prisoner.
On April 30, 1951, a member of Company B, 434th Engineer Construction Battalion, U.S. Army drowned when his boat overturned on the Han River near Tanyang, South Korea.
On May 07, 1951, the patrol frigate USS Hoquiam (PF-5) was slightly damaged after being hit by a shore battery at Songjin, North Korea. There was one casualty. The ship was named for Hoquiam, Washington. She also served in the Soviet Navy as EK-13 and in the Republic of Korea Navy as ROKS Nae Tong.
On May 07, 1951, an F9F-2B Pantherjet fighter with Fighter Squadron 191, aboard the aircraft carrier USS Princeton (CV-37) was flying at about 500 feet above ground, attacking enemy trucks near Inchon, South Korea, when the aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire and crashed. The pilot's remains were not recovered.
On May 10, 1951, Bairoko suffered an explosion and flash fire while in port at Yokosuka. The fire broke out in the flight hanger and spread into the engine room. Five men died and 13 men were injured before the flames were extinguished. The fire also damaged bulkheads and burned out numerous ventilation and electrical systems. Repairs were started immediately and, after they were completed in late June, the escort carrier resumed training operations off the coast of Japan on 3 July.
On May 14, 1951, these two ships collided. While everyone on the Thomas Tracy survived, the crew of the USS Valcour was not as lucky. It lost 5 dead and numerous injured. Even though the KWE information on this collision is incomplete, readers can learn a little more about this accident, click HERE.
On May 18, 1951, an F4U-4 Corsair fighter with Fighter Squadron 114 (884) aboard this aircraft carrier was working with a ground controller when the aircraft was hit by small arms fire. The pilot tried to parachute but struck the tail assembly. He landed and was taken prisoner. He was presumed dead on May 24, 1954.
On May 20, 1951, this ship was slightly damaged after being hit by a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea. In her two Korean tours, it was her first mission at Wonsan where New Jersey received her only combat casualties of the Korean war. One of her men was killed by shrapnel while running to his battle station and three were severely wounded (Seaman Apprentice J.E. Schaniel, Seaman J.H. Dezekou, and FCS3 C.A. Van Fleet) when she took a hit from a shore battery on her number one turret and received a near miss aft to port.
On May 22, 1951, the Brinkley Bass suffered minor damage after being hit by a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea. There was one killed and nine casualties.
On May 24, 1951, over 100 shipmates were on a 50-foot whaleboat en route from Newport, Rhode Island to their ships after shore leave when a giant wave overturned the boat. Twenty-two men lost their lives. For further information about this capsizing, click here.
On May 30, 1951, a fireman 2c was lost overboard on this ship while fighting the enemy near Songjin, Korea. His remains were not recovered.
On June 12, 1951, this ship was extensively damaged after striking a mine off the east coast of Korea. There were 66 casualties, including 26 fatalities.
Following a little over three years in the San Diego Group, Pacific Reserve Fleet, Walke was re-commissioned on 5 October 1950, Comdr. Marshall F. Thompson in command. After shakedown training along the west coast, the destroyer departed San Diego on 2 January 1951 and set a course for the Far East and service in the six-month old Korean conflict. She repaired storm damage at Yokosuka, Japan, before joining TF 77 off the coast of Korea.
In addition to providing antisubmarine protection for the carriers of TF 77, she moved close to the Korean coast to bombard such places as Yondae Gap, Wonsan, Songjin, Chongjin, and Chuminjin as well as various other rail and road locations. On 12 June, while steaming some 60 miles off the Korean coast with TF 77, Walke struck a floating mine which severely damaged her hull on the port side, killed 26 men, and wounded another 40 sailors.
She made temporary repairs at Sasebo and then headed back to the United States where she entered the Mare Island Naval Shipyard in July for permanent repairs and a complete overhaul. Walke returned to the Korean combat zone in June of 1952 and resumed screening duty with TF 77 punctuated by shore bombardment missions. That combat cruise lasted until January 1953, when she arrived in Long Beach, Calif., and took up normal west coast operations. In July, the warship rejoined TF 77 off the Korean coast for another seven months of duty screening the fast carriers; but, by that time, the armistice had been signed ending the combat aspect of her duties.
[Source: USS Walke website]
On June 14, 1951, this boat became confused as to direction and headed toward enemy held territory when last sighted. Lieutenant Cochran was taken POW.
On June 14, 1951, this ship was extensively damaged after being hit by a shore battery at Songjin, North Korea. There were three killed and four wounded. Note the date of this damage was June 14, 1952. There were more casualties in August of 1952 during another battle-related incident.
Dreith, BT3 John - Born November 22, 1930, he was a son of George Dreith (1898-1964) and Katherine Dreith (1899-1976). His siblings were Robert G. (1940-2007), Edward (1924-1988), Harry (1934-1977), Elsie (Mrs. Edwin Leroy Gettman), Helen (Mrs. Merle Bird), and Freida Renter. John is buried in Wyuka Cemetery, Lincoln, Nebraska.
Gallegos, SN Jose Jr. - Born March 29, 1929, the so of Mr. and Mrs. Jose Gallegos of Canutillo, Texas, he is buried in Fort Bliss National Cemetery, El Paso, Texas.
Grogg, QM Willis Devon - Born December 19, 1920, Elkhart, Indiana - He was a Prisoner Of War during WWII. He was captured 6 May 1942, in the Philippines and held at Fukuoka POW Camp #1 - Kashii (Pine Tree Camp) Kyushu Island 33-130, Japan until he was returned to Military Control. His widow was Mrs. Roberta Mae Grogg. Willis is buried in Greenwood Memorial Park, San Diego, California.
Lynn, Lt. Clarence D. (executive officer)
Murphy, Lt. (jg) Daniel
The Thompson and Carmick joined the hastily assembled minesweeping task group consisting of the Forrest Royal (DD-872), Catamount (LSD-17), Horace A. Bass (APD-124), Pelican (AMS-32), Swallow (AMS-36), and Gull (AMS-16), LST Q-007, four Republic of Korea minesweepers, and a helicopter from the Rochester (CA-124). Their mission was to open up the mined port of Chinnampo, which they did in slightly over two weeks. By early November, Chinese Communist forces had driven United Nations troops back to the coast. One of the evacuation ports was Chinnampo. There, the Thompson escorted the troopships loaded with evacuees out of the harbor.
Following duty as a harbor control vessel at Inchon, she was ordered to Sasebo, where MineRon 1 was regrouping. On 30 December 1950, with the Doyle (DMS- 34) and Endicott (DMS-36) she left for the east coast of Korea to clear the way for fire support ships. By mid-February 1951, she was operating from Wonsan north almost to the Manchurian border. Later, she screened the Missouri (BB-63) and Manchester (CL-83), during their bombardment of Songjin. At Chunron Jang, the Thompson's guns destroyed two railroad bridges. She also took part in “junk-busting” operations, patrolling for suspicious junks used by communist forces for infiltration and minelaying, and on one occasion, eliminating six North Korean junks.
From 1 April to 3 November 1951, the Thompson shelled communist positions, supply lines, and troop concentrations. On 14 June 1951, her gunners had just destroyed a railroad bridge near Songjin when shore batteries opened fire. One shell struck her bridge, knocking out her fire control, killing three of her crew, and wounding three others. Before she retired, however, she had destroyed one enemy battery and damaged another. She remained in Korean waters until 3 November when she headed for home.
In June 1952, she was again bound for Korea. Based in Songjin, she patrolled the coast and provided gunfire support. On 20 August 1952, off Songjin, a shell from a Chinese battery hit her flying bridge, killing four and wounding nine. Retiring from the scene, she transferred her casualties to the Iowa (BB-64). Following repairs at Sasebo, she headed back to Songjin to patrol as part of the United Nations blockade. On 20 November, while serving as gunfire support ship for the Kite (AMS-22) in Wonsan Harbor, she was hit by enemy fire amidships on the starboard side. Following repairs at Yokosuka, she returned to Songjin for the first of three tours that took her into February of 1953 when she and the Carmick headed for the states.
She operated on the West Coast with MineDiv 11 through the summer of 1953, when she served as the Caine during the filming of The Caine Mutiny. On 18 May 1954, the Thompson was decommissioned and placed in reserve. She was struck from the navy list on 1 July 1971 and sold to the American Ship Dismantlers of Portland, Oregon, on 7 August 1972 for scrapping.
[Source: Tin Can Sailors website]
On June 18, 1951, this ship was slightly damaged after being hit by a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea. There were four casualties with minor injuries.
On June 18, 1951, this ship had superficial damage after being hit by a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea.
On June 20, 1951, Lieutenant Royce Carruth was a pilot of an F4U-4 Corsair fighter with Fighter Squadron 821 aboard the USS Princeton (CV-37) when his aircraft was hit by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and exploded near Sinpyong, Korea. He was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on May 21, 1954.
On June 21, 1951, an AD-2 Skyraider dive bomber assigned to the USS Boxer (CV-21) was flying an armed reconnaissance near Yangdok, North Korea, when the aircraft was struck by anti-aircraft fire and crashed.
On July 3, 1951, this ship had minor damage after being hit by a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea. There were eight casualties--one KIA and seven WIA. A note from Ray Riesgo of San Diego, California that was found on the Korean War Project website (www.kwp.org), explains what happened that day:
"The next incident occurred while the ship was one of two ships assigned to draw fire from mainland Korea. They were, slowly, circling an Island in Wonson Harbor as each ship came into firing range it would fire one round per minute in order to get a response. (I think this was called an Indian War Dance?)
The Everett finally got a response. It took one or two shells amidship. The after 3-inch Mount was hit and its crew was critically injured and the smokestack was holed. Both ships returned fire. The PF-8 was released in order to transfer, at sea, the injured and dead to large ships of Task Force 77, they had medical doctors on board.
After the transfer, we were directed to get repairs by a destroyer repair ship in Sasebo Harbor. On arrival, I was transferred to USS Prairie AD-15 and sent to work in its Boiler Room. I stayed in the Navy and retired in 1971."
On July 04, 1951, Lieutenant Junior Grade Arthur Dixon was the pilot of a F4U-4 Corsair fighter assigned to Carrier Air Group 102 aboard this aircraft carrier. When his aircraft was on the base leg of landing approach at about 150 feet altitude, it stalled and crashed into the sea inverted. His remains were not recovered.
On July 18, 1951, an AD-3 Skyraider dive bomber with Attack Squadron 923 aboard this aircraft carrier, after attacking a bridge target in North Korea, failed to meet at the rendezvous point with the rest of the flight. The pilot was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on May 19, 1954.
On July 31, 1951, this ship suffered minor damage after being hit by a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea. There were two casualties.
On August 11, 1951, this ship received superficial damage after being hit by a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea. There was one killed and three wounded.
On August 23, 1951, an F4U-4B Corsair fighter bomber with Fighter Squadron 53 aboard this aircraft carrier was flying on instruments and became separated from its flight leader near Wonsan Harbor, North Korea. The pilot was listed as Missing in Action and was presumed dead on May 20, 1954.
On August 26, 1951, about five minutes after take-off from the USS Essex, an AD-4Q Skyraider dive bomber with Composite Squadron 35 burst into flames and crashed into the sea.
On September 04, 1951, while on a mission over Haengsan, Korea, an F9F-2 Pantherjet fighter with Fighter Squadron 51 aboard the carrier USS Essex (CV-9) was struck by anti-aircraft fire, crashed and exploded. The pilot's remains were not recovered.
On September 8, 1951, the fireroom of this ship flooded after being hit by a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea. There were no casualties.
On September 10, 1951, superficial damage was done tot his ship after being hit by a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea. There were no casualties.
On September 10, 1951, minor damage was done to this ship after being hit by a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea. There were no casualties.
On September 16, 1951, an F2H Banshee fighter, damaged on a combat mission, crashed into aircraft parked on the forward flight deck of the USS Essex while attempting to land on the Essex, causing an explosion. The tailhook did not engage and the aircraft bounced over the barriers, struck other aircraft and burst into flames. Eight were killed.
From researcher T.E. Moore (on the Korean War Project at www.kwp.org):
A VF-172 F2H Banshee piloted by Lt. (jg) John Kemp Keller, collided with another aircraft during a high-elevation practice maneuver. The collision was not fatal, but its aftermath was. The damage to his plane's tail section forced Lt. Keller to return to the USS Essex CV-9 for an emergency landing. Everything seemed normal during approach, until Lt. Keller, perhaps shaken by the experience of the collision, neglected, or was unable to lower his Banjo's tailhook. This action was compounded by the LSO crew, who failed to spot the still-retracted plane's tailhook. 14 tons of jet aircraft, still heavy with fuel, hit the flight deck, raced past the arresting wires, tore through the flight barriers, and smashed into a stack of aircraft parked forward on the ship's flight deck. There was an explosion, and a terrible blaze that instantly killed three crewmen. To prevent an even bigger calamity, the dead Lt. Keller and his plane were pushed overboard into the sea. Meanwhile, five more USS Essex flight deck hands, each swathed in a curl of flames, jumped overboard into the sea, without life jackets. Two men were recovered, severely burned, but still alive, but the other three men were never recovered. Lieutenant Keller was also never recovered.
On October 5, 1951, this ship had slight damage after being hit by a shore battery at Hungnam, North Korea. There were no casualties,
On October 07, 1951, this ship received extensive damage after striking a mine off the East coast of North Korea. There were nine Missing in Action and 51 WIA.
GRUBB, FRANK CLARK, Altadena, CA
E3 Grubb, USN, 4255363, served in the U.S.S. Ernest G. Small-DDR-838. His ship was damaged in enemy action in North Korea, and he was killed in that action, 10/07/51. Born 12/12/32, he was a USN Seaman Sonarman.
HAMILTON, THOMAS RAY, 3404964, Murphysboro, IL
E3 Hamilton, USN, served in the U.S.S. Ernest G. Small-DDR-838. His ship was damaged in enemy action in North Korea, and he was killed in that action, 10/07/51. Born 1/27/33, he was a USN Seaman. One KIA on the Ernest Small floated away when the ship's bow separated from the rest of the ship. That sailor was Thomas Hamilton.
KRAVETZ, EDWARD (nmi), 7190078, Bronx, NY
E4 Kravetz, USN, served in the U.S.S. Ernest G. Small-DDR-838. His ship was damaged in enemy action in North Korea, and he was killed in that action, 10/07/51. Born 5/18/30, he was a Sonarman 3rd Class.
MANNING, ELIJA Keith, 9300295, Pineville, WVA
E4 Manning, USN, served in the U.S.S. Ernest G. Small-DDR-838. His ship was damaged in enemy action in North Korea, and he was killed in that action, 10/07/51. Born 4/22/29, he was a USN Sonarman 3rd Class.
MIDDLETON, REX B., 7651344, Seattle, WA
Middleton, USN, served in the U.S.S. Ernest G. Small-DDR-838. His ship was damaged in enemy action in North Korea, and he was killed in that action, 10/07/51. Born 6/5/25, he was a USN Sonarman 1st Class.
MUNIER, JOSEPH FRANCIS, 3030444, Hammond, IN
Munier, USN, served in the U.S.S. Ernest G. Small-DDR-838. His ship was damaged in enemy action in North Korea, and he was killed in that action, 10/07/51. Born 7//9/28, he was a USN Metalsmith 3rd Class.
OBEE, MELVIN DALE, 2841945, Whitehouse, OH
E5 Obee, USN, served in the U.S.S. Ernest G. Small-DDR-838. His ship was damaged in enemy action in North Korea, and he was killed in that action, 10/07/51. Born 10/7/28, he was a USN Sonarman 2nd Class.
PORTER, RONALD JOHN, 5692308, Sacramento, CA
Porter, USN, served in the U.S.S. Ernest G. Small-DDR-838. His ship was damaged in enemy action in North Korea, and he was killed in that action, 10/07/51. Born 10/25/29, he was a USN Sonarman 3rd Class.
SCHLUETER, ALLEN FRANCIS, 3613582, Fredericksburg, TX
Schlueter, USN, served in the U.S.S. Ernest G. Small-DDR-838. His ship was damaged in enemy action in North Korea, and he was killed in that action, 10/07/51. Born 10/22/30, he was a USN Damage Control 3/c.
*Joseph Munier and Allen F. Schlueter were buried at sea on October 8. Four months later, the baby daughter of Allen Schlueter, Jackie Schlueter (now Jackie Hogan) was born.
The wounded were as follows:
For greater details about this accident and the one that occurred on October 10, 1951, read the personal account of Donald Wayman on the Internet.
On October 11, 1951, this ship had slight damage after being hit by a shore battery at Songjin, North Korea. On the morning of 11 October 1951, the Renshaw was on a bombardment mission when a quartermaster on the bridge noticed large camouflage screens sliding down a 200-foot bluff adjacent to her target. Thus revealed was battery of four guns, which opened fire as their camouflage slipped away. The first two salvos were short, the next two were long and peppered the bridge and midships areas from the waterline to the topmast radar with shrapnel. Topside damage to the ship was superficial, and the one sailor who was hit suffered only slight wounds. The rest of some thirty salvos fell short as the destroyer took evasive action and blasted the enemy guns. Her fourth salvo struck an enemy gun emplacement and blew it and its crew out of their cave and down the bluff into the water, making the Renshaw the first ship to sink an enemy shore battery.
On October 17, 1951, a member of the 866th Army Port Company fell off a ship in Inchon Harbor, South Korea and drowned.
On October 17, 1951, this ship received moderate damage from a hit by an enemy shore battery at Hungnam, North Korea, killing one man.
On October 23, 1951, this ship had slight damage after being hit by a shore battery at Hungnam, North Korea. There were four casualties.
On October 28, 1951, an F4U-4B Corsair fighter-bomber with Fighter Squadron 53 aboard the aircraft carrier USS Essex (CV-9) was hit by enemy anti-aircraft artillery fire during a glide bombing run at BU 7056, lost a section of its wing, crashed and exploded.
On October 29, 1951, this ship had considerable damage after being hit by a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea. The Osprey's engine room flooded after being hit three times and communications went out, one man was seriously wounded, though the ship was saved from sinking.
On November 11, 1951, while conducting interdiction fire and shore bombardment off the Kojo coastline, the USS Gloucester engaged in a duel with North Korean shore batteries at Hŭngnam. The USS Gloucester took several direct hits that killed one and seriously wounded eleven others. Louis Jaramillo was a Storekeeper on the ship and was supposed to leave the ship prior to reporting back to the war zone. However, there was no relief (replacement) for him in Sasebo, Japan, so he stayed on the ship for the next tour.
On November 21, 1951, a fireman aboard this aircraft carrier was listed as Missing in Action while engaged with the enemy in Korea.
Raymond James Buntin - born January 31, 1931, in Cainsville, Missouri
On November 23, 1951, this ship received minor damage after being hit by a shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea. There were no casualties.
On November 23, 1951, this ship was hit by enemy shore battery at Wonsan, North Korea. The Hyman was hit on the main deck, causing minor damage. There were at least three fatalities.
On November 27, 1951, a 250-pound bomb became armed while attached to an AD-4L Skyraider Diver Bomber with Fighter Squadron 54 aboard the carrier USS Essex (CV-9). The pilot's attempt to jettison it was unsuccessful. He bailed out over the ocean. After hitting the water he dropped out of sight. His remains were not recovered.
On December 22, 1951, this ship had superficial damage after being hit by a shore battery. There were no casualties.