Sweep up the Solomons-The Naval Battles of Vella LaVella and Cape St. George-Episode 217 

Seth, Bill, effectively you have hit your stride. Clear and engaging material. And with your guests, your work places us both in the decision and resultant action stages at every major engagement - alot to hear and know. Personal stories add so much richness. Definitely a treasure. Great work, good luck guys !!!

Another episode which promises to be as excellent as all previous instances. I think many people on here realise the amount of time and pre-work that goes into these videos, I am sure I can speak on behalf of many viewers on here in expressing my gratitude for your hard work, which provides us all with valuable insights and data points on these crucial wartime events. Needless to say, for my part the subscribe button has long been hit, as is the like button for each episode.

Woo Hoo!!!! Must be Tuesday morning!!!!! Seth and Captain Bill are on!!!! Edit: Just got started watching and already a book recommendation....you guys are sending me to the poor house! But this recommendation sounds like it will be worth going...thanks....//

What most people don’t realize is a 33 knot battleship, a 36 knot destroyer and a 40 pt boat might have very similar top speeds in real life. Higher seas slow down smaller craft more than larger ones.

Just finished reading "Japanese Destoyer Captain" about Tameichi Hara. In the book he talks about the tactics and technology advances by the U.S. Navy in the Solomons. The two things that seem to weigh on him the most was radar and skip bombing. He relates his admiration for the U.S.'s superior radar, both surface search and fire control, which the Imperial Japanese Navy was trying to implement but only partially succeeded at during the last stages of the war. Skip bombing also caused him a lot of sleepless nights because suddenly medium bombers were now hitting surface ships with deadly accuracy. During the last two years of the war he was also very critical of the IJN supreme command for its lack of creative decision making.

You guys are such complementary talents. The sum of the parts exceed the individual components. I hope you don't have dark secrets that if I knew, I would regret my admiration. Secrets are okay, deep dark secrets not so much.

About a month ago I discovered your channel. My father served on the SS 259 Jack during WW2. We are originally from Hattiesburg just up the road from Camp Shelby. Great channel I really enjoy your work. SEMPER FI.

Excellent job, gentleman. The two contrasting DD actions and the Kennedy and crew saga were great topics, well covered. BZ

It is so great to be able to watch you present this information as well as hear it. Thanks so much for all of your work on this series.

Geez Vella LaVella was same old song again--masterful job of bringing those two damaged destroyers to port! Arleigh Burke sounds like he was related to Bull Halsey. Brilliant move to zig zag to avoid the torpedo spread. No doubt Kennedy deserved the Navy Cross. Thanks Seth and Bill for another entertaining program!!

My only complaint is that I have to wait a week for the next episode. Great job guys! 👍 👍

Excellent show as always guys. Recommend putting the story of PT-109 in the episode description to increase traffic to the channel. Keep up the great work!

Cap'n Bill's maps are great!

I was wondering when someone would come to Bill Totey for comment on the Titan loss. Newsnation stepped up. Nice comments Bill.

As always I enjoyed the episode

AlWAYS the first thing I watch ,when I see you have done a new vid.Thanks so much ,your efforts are so much appreciated and by far the best content ,information and presentation on utube.regards from nz.

President Truman was a battery captain of 105mm artillery in WWI who forced his command to fire their remaining rounds before allowing their withdrawal during a major German assault. He didn't pass the buck. He stood fast with 45 in hand and did his duty.

Great episode gentlemen, love your work

No, the Empress Augusta Bay episode hasn'nt "dropped" yet(6/20/23, 0741hrs, EDST).

My Dad served on two different Fletchers. The USS BOYD. And the USS BROWN. My Dad told me about a incident that happened during ww2. The Japanese set up a trap. On a small atoll. They lined the shores with lg guns. And placed a pilot’s raft offshore. When we tried to rescue the down pilot . Then opened up fire apon the destroyer hitting it in the main boilers killing many sailors with live steam . I believe that it happened around December 12th do you have any information about this happening. Thank you

This may be a little late in the story, and you’ve mostly been covering the navy and ground forces; but could you make a mention of Jay Zeamer and the Eager Beavers when you get to Bougainville? The story of “old 666” definitely needs to be told. Incidentally, Jay Zeamer’s medals rest in a place of pride in the WWII gallery of the National Museum of the US Air Force here in Dayton. Right across from the Memphis Belle and Bockscar

John Kennedy and Leonard Thom both received the Navy and Marine Corp. Medal. not the Navy Cross.

30 plus Knotts was always fun on a dd. Did the old school dd's have two screws, like the spurance class.

Please do episode on PT Boats

Had to travel and missed the posting date for this one. Let's not let that happen again.

Other videos have to wait when you guys come out with a new one :)

I was in the 9th grade when Kennedy was assonated by a three letter agency and had an extended time for hunting season. The services generally assign people to jobs and areas where they are most suited. Considering Reagan's physical condition and training, he was probably best suited for making training films. America is full of talented and exceptional people like Ted Williams and Jimmy Stewart, but they also serve who stand in line and wait. BTW. Gerald Ford served as a gunnery officer aboard the CVL Monterey during several fleet actions in the Pacific Theater.

Hope you guys spend some time in the North Pacific. It was the SWPA only with snow and Canadians.

A question, I think, more for Mr. Paridon than for Capt Toti: My first forays into WWII naval history were “At Dawn We Slept” and “Miracle at Midway”, both by Gordon Prange, et al. They are older works and research is continuous and ongoing, of course, but I’m curious as to your opinion of these two books given when they were written and the state of what we knew back in the early/mid 90’s when I first read them.

Great show, another Ralph Talbot shout out. Wikipedia says JFK got the Navy Marine Corp Medal and Purple Heart, no mention of a Navy Cross. "Navy and Marine Corps Medal citation For extremely heroic conduct as Commanding Officer of Motor Torpedo Boat 109 following the collision and sinking of that vessel in the Pacific War area on August 1-2, 1943. Unmindful of personal danger, Lieutenant (then Lieutenant, Junior Grade) Kennedy unhesitatingly braved the difficulties and hazards of darkness to direct rescue operations, swimming many hours to secure aid and food after he had succeeded in getting his crew ashore. His outstanding courage, endurance and leadership contributed to the saving of several lives and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. - James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy"

How many Irish Americans were on the Indianapolis? How many survived? Someone should write a book about them. ..

When does Bill get to intro Seth? I too have seen a blob in the dark of night.

Is Bougainville not in the Solomon Islands chain? Just thinking about the Battle of Empress Augusta Bay in November 1943 when Burke was again present as commander of DesDiv 45. Hope you will cover this if you have not done so already. The USN's first four (I think) Cleveland class light cruisers were also involved in this engagement. Cheers guys from Australia.

Could you please include a program, or a partial program, about the Naval Battle of the Komandorskis? This took place in March, 1943, and featured a small force commanded by Adm. "Soc" McMorris attacking a much larger Japanese force who were attempting to reinforce the Japanese garrisons on the Aleutians. This battle turned out fortunate for the US Navy, because the circumstances could have turned really bad for the Americans. A cold water naval gunfire battle far from the southwest Pacific.

You could call it The Night the Church Mice Squeaked Out of the Sound

I was in 3rd Grade when Kennedy was assassinated, and remember it all to well. GySgt USMC (Ret.) P.S. Nixon got bombed a few times. And ran a "black market" burger grill.

In your JFK reverie (deserved) how could you have left out his older brother Joe's fatal sacrifice on that flying mission in Europe.? Though you seem near 100% all Navy & Marines, it would seem that might merit at least a mention.

I am a recent subscriber to this channel from the UK and you guys are creating some amazing content! The Brits have some great naval historians on RU-vid and you are definitely in that pantheon. The TV discovery channels trail in your wake and will never get anywhere near your level of detail!

So glad you guys are taking the time to do this it remains a great show every week.

Found you guys yesterday. I love your work. You gained my subscription. I study military history on my own. My degree is in communications. My passion is military history. Im researching to write a book about the USS TWIGGS. I want to use 90% of the proceeds to help fund a business that rescues homeless veterans. I live in Washington DC.

I just read Capt. Hara’s account of this battle from the Japanese perspective. I’m glad you guys are covering these smaller New Guinea actions. I’m learning a lot of information I’ve not heard or read yet from your podcast.

Incredible work with this show! I have read, watched, and listened to innumerable accounts and histories from this theatre of the war and yet you guys still manage to offer new information and perspectives.

Cheers shipmates! I had the honor and privilege of meeting ADM Burke as a U.S. Naval Sea Cadet color guard commander at a Navy League event in Annapolis sometime in 90 or 91 (?). I went on to serve onboard a Burke class DDG in the Northern Arabian Gulf as a QM2 with a USCG LEDET in 97 performing VBSS during the Iraqi oil embargo. Haze gray and underway! Thoroughly enjoy every episode CAPT Toti sir and Seth, maintain course and speed!

Hi guys, enjoyed the episode as always. Note about the order sent to Burke prior to Cape St. George: it was written by Halsey's chief of staff, Capt. Harry Thurber. Halsey was in Australia at the time. The "31-knot' reference was actually a slight dig sent Burke's way by Thurber. Basically, Burke's squadron was long overdue for maintenance, and the ships performances were reduced because of it. For some time, Burke would notify HQ he was proceding to station or assignment at 30 knots, the best speed USS Spence could make with its beat up power plant. Burke was considering not bringing Spence along to Cape St. George because of that. Burke asked Spence's skipper what speed his ship might make if it's plant was cross-connected. He was told, "31 knots." When Burke told Thurber he could proceed at 31 knots, Thurber was amused that with the prospect of battle, Burke had managed to find a way to wring an extra knot of speed out of his worn down ships. Thus, Thurber replied to him using the name "31-knot" Burke. (Check Potter's bio of Burke for more specifics) The funny thing, of course, the press picked up on it and thought it was a great name for "dashing destroyer commander steaming his ships into battle at high speed," not realizing either Thurber's intent, or the fact the Fletchers were rated for 35 knots (or better) when in top shape.

Thank you guys for another AWESOME video. Appreciate your hard work.

To add two politicians to your "they served" tally -- LBJ was ordered home and back to Congress by Roosevelt, but did get overseas time. And, of course, Harry Truman who saw more actual combat time then all of his successors combine.

"This is the final japanese naval victory of the war!" Hey! Watch it with the spoilers! :P

A stink was raised after the 109 incident. It became known that the engines for 109 were in "neutral." So when the DD was spotted there was not enough time to engage each engine into forward gear. The engines had to be manned by a MM down below. Think Tinker Bell from McHales Navy. Therefore a memo went out that while on station in a combat area, PT boats will be left in gear without throttle. BTW the last survivor of 109 died just days before 911. And the xo Thom died in 1946 in Ravenna , OHIO being hit by a train of all things.

I've been waiting for Arleigh Burke's action in Solomons

Good program, as always. A couple of quibbles: Seth keeps mentioning the Navy Cross. Kennedy did not receive the Navy Cross; instead, he was awarded the Navy & Marine Corps Medal for saving life at the risk of his own. Not the same thing. Also, Gerald Ford served with some distinction aboard USS Monterey, and of course Dwight Eisenhower had, ahem, a rather distinguished military career.

Great discussion. Really appreciated the part on JFK. As is the case for anyone old enough to know what happened on November 22, 1963, I remember exactly where I was (in school) when it was announced that the President had been shot and killed. IMHO, this was the greatest single tragedy to affect the country in the last 60 years. Had he not been killed, he almost certainly would have been re-elected, and the course of history would likely have been very different. He was not a perfect person by any means (none of us are), but he was clear sighted, thoughtful, and mindful of the awesome responsibilities of the office of President of the United States, both domestically and internationally. As you point out, he could have easily got a cushy desk job in DC or Honolulu to serve out the war, but chose to volunteer for frontline duty, and acquitted himself with honor. It is also worth noting that his older brother, Joseph Kennedy, Jr., who their father actually hoped and intended would one day be President, himself served in the Army Air Corps in England. He was killed when the plane he was piloting exploded in air on a secret, and frankly somewhat cockamamy mission over the English Channel, but that's another story. Of course, his younger brother Bobby, too young to serve in WWII, was also killed when running for President in an election that he also would almost certainly have won. So this one family gave three sons in service to the country. Not many families have made this level of sacrifice. No going overseas to avoid the draft. No bone spurs. Just service to the country.

Thanks for a new episode. I love getting them at the end of my day.

My grandfather was with the NZ 3rd Div on Vella Lavella. He rarely talked about his experiences, but I do remember he once spoke of carrying a short fused handgrenade so he wouldn't be captured. Another comment was that he thought no one talked about NZ forces in the Pacific and at the time, he was right. Thank you for talking about Vella Lavella, I know in his measured way he would have been impressed.

Good morning Mr. Paridon & Capt. Toti, I love your videos, I have subscribed & rang your all bell, months ago.

Thank y’all for another great job guys! I was excited to see a new video! Thanks again!

As CaptIn Bill said, this is the last surface battle victory for the Japanese, it is also nearly the last time they hit with a long lance. I believe there was only one more hit on the west side of Leyte in late 1944.

Appreciate your unbiased and even handed balanced reporting of these sometimes (usually always) confusing naval engagements. Places me into the thought process of “what would I have done in similar circumstances “. Keep up the good work guys.

Hi, guys. Brit here. MANY years ago I read all the volumes of Morrison's "History of US Naval Operations in WW2". Those volumes are no longer available to me, but your videos are a more than adequate substitute. I have already purchased several books mentioned by you and your guests, which bring up to date, and add to, the knowledge I obtained from Morrison. You may be surprised that someone from across The Pond would be interested in Pacific operations, but I find fascinating the naval engagements, particularly those around the Solomon Islands. Rest assured, however, that I soak up all your presentations eagerly, and fully appreciate the effort and preparation that you lavish on them (having given similar types of presentation myself). Please accept my congratulations on your sterling efforts, which are truly a wonderful gift to those of us who have no access to some of the primary sources that you bring to the table. Bon Voyage !

JFK was not awarded the Navy Cross but rather for his courage and leadership, Kennedy was awarded the Navy and Marine Corps Medal, and injuries suffered during the incident also qualified him for a Purple Heart. Ensign Leonard Thom also received the Navy and Marine Corps Medal. His brother Joe was awarded the Navy Cross posthumously in the European Theater.

Once again, this show is the highlight of my viewing pleasure. I loved the stories about Arleigh Burke since we don't often get to hear the details about the great heroes who made such a huge impact during the war.

Great episode. The stories of Arleigh Burke and JFK are compelling. The maps really help illustrate the engagements. Thanks so much for your efforts.

One correction John F. Kennedy 35th President of the United States WAS NOT awarded the Navy Cross during WWII. He was ONLY awarded the Navy Marine Corps Medal for his rescue of 10 surviving PT109 crew after that's boats raming sinking by the IJN AMAGIRI. He also received a Purple Heart for his severe back injury in that action. Now whether he deserved a Navy Cross is open for debate and certainly his father, Ambassador Joseph P. Kennedy had lobbied for his son to get at least a Silver Star. The Navy did offer Kennedy a Bronze Star with Combat V but Kennedy declined. While other men were awarded Navy Crosses and other higher medals for similar acts of herorism during war there was no way in hell that John Kennedy was going to receive any Medal for heroism for one reason...the actions of his father when he was U Ambassador to England and the Court of St. James prior to WWII. Appointed by President Franklin Roosevelt, the elder Kennedy made a tremendous number of enemies, including Roosevelt with his isolationist rhetoric and announcing that no country could beat the Germans if war started. As a matter of fact, it was "miracle" that John Kennedy was even allowed to serve...much less serve in combat. His heath was in the toilet as he suffered from Addison's Disease, hypothroidism, severe back problems and host of other diseases. Only pulling a lot of strings behind the scenes by his father with his Navy Brass friends essentially sneaking John Kennedy past all the medical exams and Franklin D. Roosevelt was he able to get both his son (Joe Jr, and John) in the service. John should have been adjudged 4F. But Joseph Kennedy, a bootlegger and multi-millionaire, was able to get his son in the Navy because he knew where all the skeletons were buried. There was no way John Kennedy was going to get a high award even if he had deserved it. That said John Kennedy volunteered for Naval Service, by accounts performed his duties in an outstanding manner and sought combat even though his health would otherwise disqualify him. That's Courage!

The assassination of John F, Kennedy made a deep impression on my youth,. Then Martin Luther King and Robert Kennedy were assassinated. Indelibly etched in my mind was the sight of JFK Jr. saluting his father's coffin as it passed by..

Great presentation and insights as usual. I look forward to Tuesday's

Another great Torpedo Tuesday. Thanks for the book recommendation, Hero's in the Shadows. I am a big reader of African American military history. Texas has a rich AA military history going back to the Buffalo Soldiers. It must have been frustrating for the destroyer skippers since they had finally been unleashed and were perfecting their tactics only for the japanese to stop coming out and participating. Becomes a barge hunting war. Also saved a lot of lives of those destroyers. Skipper Toti, thanks for your map work. One of my favorite things when reading history books is to have Google Earth open so I can see the places. The South Pacific is difficult but if you look long enough you can usually find an old airstrip or structures. I find a lot of the names used in the books are hard to find, but in a lot of cases it's just spelled radically different. A lot of names staring with Mb or Ng. Again thanks for the hard work on these videos.

Some groups of people CANNOT float................. so once they are tired, they sink. Plus, many can't swim hardly at all.

Outstanding show on the destroyer battles in the Solomons. Y’all need a whole show on the Type 93 oxygen fueled torpedo. The US did know much until the war was over. The IJN never called it the Long Lance, that was coined by Sam Morrison in his USN history. These shows are the greatest ever in the world.

I know a fair bit about the PT109 story. Some criticise Kennedy because they believe that grandpa Joe wanted John in a glamorous PT boat to further John's career. Others say he was irresponsible by sitting in Blackett Strait idling when he should have been more alert. The boys didn't mention that phosphoresence was created when PT boats moved on dark nights in the tropics and it stood out like neon lights to japanese destroyers coming down the slot. Kennedy was amazingly brave, he swam out into Blackett Strait at night several times to try and attract the attention of PT boats. There are sharks and barracuda and jelly fish out there. And thank goodness for Australian and NZ coastwatchers who risked certain torture and death to save American boys. There is a sad postscript to all this. When Kennedy was inaugurated as President he invited the men who paddled the canoes to washington. They actually got to an airport when colonial authorities denied them permission to board. More recently Kennedy's daughter has visited the Solomons as US Ambassador to Australia and travelled to the island locations and met the descendants of the wonderful men who rescued the PT 109 crew.

Excellent podcast gentlemen

President Kennedy rang doorbells to get into front-line service after driving a desk in Washington for a while in 1942. i cannot help but think that what he experienced in Aug1943 informed the leadership he provided to this nation between 1961 and 1963.

Good morning, great show!!!!, good to hear you guys, really enjoy the content, captain Bill, thanks for the info on the book, and a point on Gerald Ford serving in the navy during the war, he was aboard the Monterey and almost got washed overboard during typhoon cobra.

Another great episode! Funnily enough, the first time I read of the Battle of Vella LaVella was in R. Cameron Cooke's "Sink the Shigure" Even though it was a fictional story, he framed the start of the story with the battle.

You have become must watch tv in my household. Awesome job as always.

They were not all Fletchers. Chevalier and O'Bannon were. The Selfridge was a Porter class destroyer, launched in 1936, with eight 5 inch/38 cal. guns in four turrets. I think it's possible that Walker may have believed the report of 9 IJN destroyers was exaggerated, plus he may have figured that even if there were 9 of them, they may have been spread out to where Walker could slash the Japanese and hightail it out of there with 2 new 38 -knot destroyers and a 37 -knot destroyer hosing the Japanese down with 150 rounds per minute after they come about and outrun the Japanese after disengaging. To stick around and try to slug it out was an obviously bad idea. In terms of PT 109, I am a sailor and love to sail at night. When there is absolutely no light pollution from other vessels or ashore, a cloudless night reveals an amazing array of stars. When it is overcast, it's like swimming blindfolded in India ink. It's disorienting and without a compass or GPS, one quickly becomes lost with no clue where to go. I can easily see in such circumstances how the Amigiri could get right on top of them without being seen. Kennedy did not receive a Navy Cross. He was recommended for a Silver Star and was awarded a Navy and Marine Corps Medal and a Purple Heart. Here is his Navy and Marine Corps Medal citation: www.history.navy.mil/research/histories/biographies-list/bios-k/kennedy-john-f/john-f-kennedy-medal-citation.html

God bless Arleigh Burke, JFK, and all of the other naval heroes and sailors who bravely placed themselves in harm's way during WW2! God bless all the courageous veterans with nerves of steel who risked everything and sacrificed so much to protect our countries and preserve the freedoms we enjoy today! God bless all the souls - military and civilian - that we have lost in times of war! God bless America! God bless us all and grant us peace!

Gerald Ford served aboard the USS Monterey (CVL-26) as a gunnery officer and was in combat. en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gerald_Ford#U.S._Naval_Reserve

Thank you again Seth and Bill ... great detail.

Shout out to Captain Toti for recognizing black sailors on the USS Indianapolis. Black people did their part in WWII as well and for many years their contributions were swept under the rug.

Spoilers! Don't say it was the last Japanese Surface victory! Now I won't have any suspense left. Your supposed to wait till the last chapter to tell us who won.

The second USS Selfridge (DD-357) was a Porter-class destroyer

While guiding his men to safety is commendable I bet they would have preferred he spot a destroyer before a destroyer spots a PT. The destroyer is like eight times bigger. He should have spotted them first, probably asleep. Sugar coated and swept under the rug.

Excellent series from guys who know their stuff

How about something about forward repair bases ? Also the Repair Ships themselves? Navajo has a colorful history and I am sure others do also

Every episode of this that I watch hits me with info I had never heard. I read so many works of supposed history... After listening to you guys it almost seems that they were all written by Josef Goebbels and Douglas MacArthur...

Liked ✓ Subscribed ✓ Binge watched from start ✓ So many (audio)books to get to, I'm still on Jeffery R. Cox Dark Waters Starry Skies. Seth is super fantastic; Captain Toti mad mad mad mad respect and admiration! "About 31 knots"... ROFLMAO! 😄

My take is that Mac Arthur had a grudging respect for Halsey, as there are reports that in conference Halsey didn't mince words with " Dugout Doug", stating to him " ...this is NOT about You...! Perhaps MacArthur heard his Mother's voice in Halsey , or perhaps a father, and seemed to respect him for that.

太平洋戦争のなかでは、１９４３年における海戦は１９４２年と１９４４年の大海戦の年と違って目立たないものですが、小さいながら興味深い海戦が数多くおこっていたんですね。 小さい艦隊を率いて海戦の戦術の妙技を競い合ってる感じでなかなか興味深いです。 戦ってる当事者は双方必死で愉しむような余裕はなかったんでしょうけれど、、、

I question your view that Kennedy had a choice regarding military service as I highly doubt Joe Kennedy would have tolerated Jack not going into the service. Even then Joe was determined to get one of his boys into the White House some day. There is a long political history here, and one that includes MacArthur and Arleigh Burke, but it is largely all politics over a period much longer than the war itself. MacArthur, of course, burned out his career in Washington under Hoover by using tanks to clear out the WWI veterans camping in the city. Under FDR he ended up on the other side of the world for good reason from a political point of view. Joe Kennedy was of course a Roosevelt Democrat, and I have no real doubt that when MacArthur recommended Jack Kennedy be removed from the Navy, it was largely just personal spite. Kennedy's problems with Burke essentially revolve around the failed Bay of Pigs invasion, so that too is highly political and not at all associated with the war, though there may well be more post war politics there of which I am not aware. My personal involvement in all this is limited to just the bridge to Cape Cod. Right after one crosses it to get to Cape Cod, there is a traffic circle named the MacArthur Circle. Traffic going both directions across the bridge has to go around the circle, and I have spent a lot of time waiting to cross the bridge, often hurtling along at the breakneck speed of one mile per hour. I have two theories about this. One is that MacArthur fans keep the circle there just to piss of Democratic voters who go to Cape Cod, the other is that Kennedy family fans keep the circle there just to leave a bad taste in the mouth of Massachusetts Democrats regarding the name 'MacArthur.' I have yet to decide which line of analysis is the most valid. Great show as always. I want to also add that the fate of the thousand Japanese troops on the island was essentially irrelevant as they were ultimately bypassed in any case. However, the chance to take out Japanese ships was something else entirely different, and those two points, IMO, explain why no effort was made to let the transports load first with troops before moving in to attack the transport convoy. In any case, I feel confident that the US troops fighting those Japanese were not terribly distraught to see them leave.

One of your best episodes, gentlemen. Your discussion about leaders and flaws at the end choked me up. Outstanding.

Another great episode. I am puzzled by sinking of PT 109. It was a moonless night, yet the other PT boats in the group unloaded 30 torpedos, that doesn't reconcile with not being able to see the destroyer that hit the PT109. If others could see them, why didn't 109? The other thing - some in the group had radar, yet no one alerted the PT109 that a destroyer was on the way. I certainly hope the Navy left a radar out there even after the PT's that expended their torpedo's were recalled. Did the PT boats have night binoculars? Earlier you mentioned that some PT's didn't unload their torpedoes even though IJN destroyers came through the slot? Are you implying the PT commanders were afraid to engage? Or were they just plain incompetent.

You guys really do your homework, I love your stories

I always heard Kennedy had a rep as a reckless screwup. Got caught by the Japanese Destroyer unprepared. But he did step up to the plate after he lost his ship and redeemed himself.

One of my teachers in high school was taught to swim by JFK. We were in his class when we learned about the assassination.

Another great chapter, Gentlemen. Thanks.

PT Boats used the Mark 13 aerial torpedo. It is part why at the battle of Midway no air dropped torpedoes caused damage. Previouly they used a torpedo that equiped destroyers. The old torpedoes used a small explosive charge to launch. This could give away the launch due to a flash. They switched to the Mark 13 because they could just push it over the side.

JFK's daughter Caroline is the US ambassador to Australia. She asked the producer of the Forgotten Australia podcast for information about the coastwatcher who helped with the rescue. He reissued the series of podcasts last year about PT109 and confusion after the war about Evan's name, whether he was a New Zealander or Australian and his eventual meeting with Kennedy in the White House.

The book about African American sailors on USS Indianapolis is titled “Heroes in the Shadows”

Nixon served at advance bases in the South Pacific and while not a combat soldier seems to have been at the receiving end of Japanese bombing missions. Ford directed anti aircraft guns on an aircraft carrier to fight off Japanese attacks. So they heard the sound of the guns and got shot at - as opposed to having administrative postings inside the United States.

building on a base of Ian Toll's trilogy (Awesome set), these matcless weekly episodes flesh out the understanding of the Pacific War. Absolutely terrific series and the recent addition of visuals makes them even more fundamental to understanding.

Great stuff. Looked hard for that old name before finding it.