USS ASTORIA CA-34
             The Official Home of 'Nasty Asty'  
 
In Memoriam: Shipmates on Eternal Watch



A view from the Tablets of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Luzon, Philippine Islands. The names of the men lost at Savo Island are recorded on these tablets.
-American Battle Monuments Commission photograph


The official casualty data for USS ASTORIA CA-34 at Savo Island reflects 216 killed, 186 wounded. Accurately listing these losses is another matter altogether.

Documentation from the immediate aftermath of the Savo tragedy reflected the names of 247 men killed or missing. These names were compiled under the worst possible circumstances--aboard multiple ships from the memory of survivors while steaming away from the Guadalcanal area. The resulting list was later compared to the June 1942 ASTORIA Muster Roll resulting in multiple corrections. It was September before the families of the fallen began to be notified.

While the number of killed and missing continues to be propagated as 216 officers and men, this number is not accurate. Even the final list circulated among shipmates in later years was incomplete.

In creating the USS ASTORIA website, I have meticulously compared the original 1942 documentation to the names and data recorded by the American Battle Monuments Commission. With a level of accuracy previously unavailable, listed below are the names of 234 shipmates killed, missing and declared dead.

These 234 men came from states across the Union and American territories. Their backgrounds were diverse, as were their motivations for joining the United States Navy and Marine Corps. They spoke with regional accents, differed in the color of their skin, and expressed their religious beliefs in different ways.

In spite of their diversity, they all had one thing in common:

These 234 men gave their lives in service of their country at Savo Island, 9 August 1942.


Key
KIA            Killed in Action
DFW         Died From Wounds
MIA DD    Missing in Action, Declared Dead


                                                  USS ASTORIA CA-34 HONOR ROLL


Officers
Andres, Eric T. ENS Illinois KIA  
Amick, Eugene E. Jr. ENS Missouri KIA  
Campbell, Joseph E. ENS Indiana KIA  
Carroll, Herbert F., Jr. LT North Carolina KIA  
Eaton, William G. LCDR Minnesota KIA  
Gunason, Robert W. LT(jg.) Arizona KIA  
Harris, Thomas F. ENS Missouri DFW 9 Aug 1942  
Hemminger, Cyril F. ENS California KIA  
Kretchmer, Raymond J. ENS South Dakota KIA  
Kyne, Elden F. ENS Nebraska KIA  
Long, Frank M. Jr. ENS Virginia KIA  
McCloy, Russell G. LT Washington DFW 12 Aug 1942  
McLaughlin, Arthur R. LT California KIA  
McNulty, John T. LT(jg.) Pennsylvania KIA  
Martin, Luther C. CARP (WO) Indiana KIA  
Nock, Walter P. Jr. ENS Maryland KIA  
O’Reilly, Edward J. LT Illinois KIA  
Strickland, Everett C. ENS New Jersey KIA  
Thompson, George W. LT(jg.) Pennsylvania KIA  
Whitehurst, Henry P. ENS North Carolina KIA  
Young, Rogers K. ENS                     New York KIA  


Enlisted Men
Ables, Charles G. S2/c Colorado MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Abraham, Louis I. S2/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Adamini, Paul D. S1/c New Jersey MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Anctil, Paul E. S2/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Anderson, Edwin L. F3/c Missouri MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Anderson, Francis E. S1/c Idaho MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Bachman, John M. S1/c Pennsylvania MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Baer, John B. S2/c Texas DFW 9 Aug 1942  
Bard, Henry J. S1/c Massachusetts MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Barnes, Turner F1/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Baugh, William B. F1/c Texas MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Baxter, Olan C. S2/c Texas KIA  
Baxtrom, Charles J. PVT (USMC) Illinois KIA  
Beauchamp, Gerald W. S2/c California KIA  
Beauchesne, Paul M. S1/c Massachusetts MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Behle, John A. F2/c Pennsylvania MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Bengel, John W. MM1/c Pennsylvania KIA  
Benson, Robert G. SM3/c Wyoming KIA  
Berkman, Manny GSGT (USMC) California KIA  
Biernacki, Stanley A. S2/c New York MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Billups, Charles L. S2/c California KIA  
Biondo, Vincent S2/c Missouri MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Blay, Charles C. S2/c California KIA  
Blocher, Harold V. COX Kansas MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Boatwright, Fred Jr. SC3/c Iowa KIA  
Bomberg, William E. F1/c Colorado KIA  
Bradshaw, Dolph B. F1/c Michigan KIA  
Breneman, Dale H. MM2/c Ohio MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Brewer, Floyd D. S1/c Texas MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Britton, Francis G. PVT (USMC) Oklahoma DFW 9 Aug 1942  
Brock, Louis A. RM3/c California KIA  
Brom, Leo F. CQM Iowa KIA  
Brown, Alva E. S2/c Kansas MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Brown, Harold E. MM1/c Michigan KIA  
Burtin, Verda S1/c Missouri KIA  
Byrkett, Charles R. S2/c Washington KIA  
Calder, Howard T. WT1/c Missouri KIA  
Caraway, James O. RM1/c Florida KIA  
Carroll, Charles L. SC1/c Washington KIA  
Carwile, Lavner C. S1/c Texas KIA  
Casey, Kenneth E. SCk2/c Iowa MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Chandler, Albert C. S2/c Oregon MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Cheney, Gayle T. F1/c California KIA  
Collett, Harry D. F2/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Colton, Myron D. Bkr2/c Idaho KIA  
Collins, David H. Jr. S2/c Missouri MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Collins, Marvin R. WT2/c Iowa KIA  
Collins, Robert R. GM2/c Washington MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Cone, Robert R. S2/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Contreras, Donald F. S2/c California KIA  
Cook, Theodore R. StewM1/c Alabama KIA  
Cramer, Louis G. MM2/c Nebraska MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Crane, James C. S1/c Utah MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Cribbin, Andrew J. S1/c Missouri KIA  
Dalton, Marlin C. S2/c Idaho MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Dashukawich, William EM1/c New York MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Dawson, Thomas C. CWT California KIA  
Devitt, John W. FldCk (USMC) Louisiana MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Dietz, John Y3/c New York MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Dietz, William G. S2/c Missouri MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Dinovo, Frank J. B3/c Nebraska MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Driscol, Everett R. CGM California KIA  
Drummond, Darrell M. QM3/c Washington KIA  
Duffy, Warren F. WT2/c Washington KIA  
Edwards, Robert W. F1/c South Carolina MIA DD 10 Aug 1943   
Englert, Thomas W. SF2/c Colorado KIA  
Erikson, Carmen A. GM2/c North Dakota KIA  
Espinoza, Alexander S1/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Fallis, George D. EM3/c Texas MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Foreman, William C. ACRM New York MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Fox, Leston C. GM3/c Texas MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Fraaken, Kenneth C. PFC (USMC) Iowa KIA  
Gallagher, Thomas B. S2/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Gerle, George T. S1/c Arizona KIA  
Ghan, Gwyn PhM3/c Iowa MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Gladden, Samuel R. CRM Missouri DFW 9 Aug 1942  
Goshorn, Jason L. S2/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Green, Morgan D. GM2/c Texas KIA  
Hampton, Charles R. AMM2/c Oklahoma MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Hardie, Peter D. GM3/c California DFW 10 Aug 1942  
Harmon, Frank S. S2/c Wyoming KIA  
Harris, Ernest C. Jr. GM3/c Louisiana MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Hart, William L. AMM2/c California KIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Haws, Laird J. S2/c California KIA  
Hayden, Harold D. COX Kentucky MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Hayes, Joseph A. MM2/c Kentucky KIA  
Henderson, Leonard T. EM2/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Hicks, Earl Jr. EM2/c North Carolina MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Hill, Byron L. S2/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Hodges, Jesse R. Jr. SC3/c Oklahoma KIA  
Holden, Guy E. S2/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Hoots, Elvin H. S2/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Hord, Joplin C. SGT MAJ (USMC) California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Hornung, Edward F.            S2/c Kentucky MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Hughes, William E.M. S2/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Isbell, Charlie B. Bkr3/c Alabama DFW 11 Aug 1942  
Ives, Clarence H. S2/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Jackson, George A. S2/c Illinois KIA  
Jameson, Herman D. CCStd            Hawaii MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Jessup, William G. S1/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Johns, Albert            F1/c Florida KIA  
Johnson, Raymond L. S2/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Kane, Bernard J. S1/c Wisconsin DFW 9 Aug 1942  
Knapp, James A. S2/c Illinois DFW 9 Aug 1942  
Koci, Edward J. F1/c Nebraska KIA  
Kroeger, Dale W. S1/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Kust, Wencel W. PFC (USMC) Illinois KIA  
Lake, Marion O. S2/c Missouri MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
LaPaugh, Willis D. S1/c Michigan MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Larson, Joseph E. F1/c Wyoming KIA  
Latino, Michael E. SCk2/c Louisiana MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Lee, Lester S2/c Nevada MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Leggett, Robert W. S1/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Lejeune, Pierre C. F3/c California KIA  
Lesnau, Jacob F. CMM California KIA  
Lessard, Girard J. S1/c New Hampshire MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Lewis, Parmer N. TC1/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Limer, Charles R. CWT West Virginia KIA  
Lindergren, Robert R. F2/c New York KIA  
Livingston, Kenneth A. F1/c Rhode Island MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Livingston, Shirley S. F1/c Oregon KIA  
Loiselle, Alexander J. F1/c Nebraska MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Long, John D. AMM2/c Georgia MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Long, Robert L. RM2/c Ohio MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Loomer, Forest C. S2/c Washington KIA  
Lough, Lawrence G. S1/c Texas MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Lucas, Henry A. ARM1/c Texas KIA  
McAnney, Victor E.  Bkr1/c New Jersey MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
McCann, Arthur L. Jr. MM2/c Virginia KIA  
McCormick, Charles N. S2/c Missouri KIA  
McCullough, Phillip Bkr3/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
McDonald, Theo C. F1/c Texas KIA  
McGrath, James F. EM3/c Massachusetts MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
McLaren, William M. S1/c Washington MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
McNallen, Charles L. Jr. RM3/c California KIA  
Macek, John P. F2/c Ohio MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Madigan, Francis J. S2/c Missouri KIA  
Mahon, Albert T. WT2/c California KIA  
Maiden, Marion G. CGM California KIA  
Malloch, Leon R. S1/c Massachusetts MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Maloney, Frank E. SCk2/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Mangrum, Robert P. StewM1/c Texas MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Martell, Robert H. S1/c New York KIA  
Martin, Earl F. EM1/c Pennsylvania MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Masters, Franklin R. MM1/c Maryland KIA  
Meithof, Charles H. F1/c Oregon KIA  
Miles, George E. S1/c Minnesota MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Miles, Robert J. S1/c Idaho MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Mitchell, Elvin E. GM1/c Oklahoma KIA  
Monahan, Charles A. GM3/c Missouri MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Moon, Roy N. S2/c Indiana DFW 9 Aug 1942  
Moore, Leonard E. S2/c Iowa MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Moran, Jean J. S2/c Missouri KIA  
Morearty, Edward F. Bkr2/c Nebraska KIA  
Morgan, Jack M. S1/c Texas DFW 9 Aug 1942  
Morley, Keith H. S2/c Virginia MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Morris, Eugene F. S2/c Kentucky KIA  
Morrow, Eugene C. PhM3/c Oregon KIA  
Mudd, George P. CBM Missouri MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Myers, Floyd Jr. RM2/c Ohio KIA  
Neal, Robert S2/c Texas MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Ocop, Dimas OCk1/c Philippines KIA  
Ogburn, Lloyd E. GM3/c Illinois MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Osborn, Edward S. CCM California KIA  
Pack, William D. CMM South Dakota KIA  
Palmer, Gerald S. PhM3/c Kansas KIA  
Peaston, Elmer F. AMM3/c Connecticut MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Phillips, John H. MessAtt2/c Mississippi KIA  
Pottratz, Stanley A. FC3/c Oregon KIA  
Priest, James S. S2/c Arizona MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Prince, Dallas S. GM3/c Texas KIA  
Privett, Sherman COX Kentucky MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Prusaski, Joseph F. BM2/c Hawaii MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Quallen, Charles N. AM3/c Ohio MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Rainwater, Robert D. S2/c Tennessee MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Ray, Harry F. CMM Hawaii  KIA   
Raymond, Warner SF3/c New York DFW 9 Aug 1942  
Reese, Frank WT1/c Hawaii MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Reimel, Blaine C. S1/c Pennsylvania MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Rice, John M. COX Kentucky MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Rivera, Roque R. S1/c New York MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Self, Lee J. S2/c Georgia KIA  
Sells, Orville C. MM1/c Colorado DFW 9 Aug 1942  
Shaffer, Henry F. ARM1/c Pennsylvania MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Slater, Lavern A. S1/c Iowa KIA  
Smith, Duward L. S2/c Texas MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Smith, Marion M. MM2/c Illinois MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Smith, Robert L. S2/c Indiana MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Smock, Earl F. GM3/c Oklahoma KIA  
Starmer, Victor W. BM2/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Sullivan, Kenneth L.           SK3/c Kentucky KIA  
Swanson, Charles W. SCk1/c Hawaii KIA  
Thamer, George F. S1/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Todd, Joseph V. ARM3/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Tolley, Robert R. SCk2/c Ohio MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Tradewell, Thomas H. SF1/c Washington MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Vineskey, Edmond A. S2/c Ohio MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Walling, Lowell A. S1/c Oregon DFW 11 Aug 1942  
Walton, Harold E. F2/c Texas KIA  
Ware, Weldon W. GM3/c Texas KIA  
Watkins, Joseph F. MM2/c California MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Watkins, Lewis A. BM1/c Indiana DFW 10 Aug 1942  
Weaver, Woodrow BM1/c Oregon KIA  
Weickum, Henry SCk2/c Colorado MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Wilkins, Fredrick J. CBM Illinois KIA  
Wilkinson, Charles B. S2/c Mississippi MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Williams, Lloyd E. M1/c Nebraska DFW 9 Aug 1942  
Wood, Donald W. SK2/c Michigan MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Wood, William P. PVT (USMC) Alabama MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Worley, Frank M. WT2/c Iowa KIA  
Wright, Floyd L. Bkr1/c North Carolina MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  
Young, Robert B. CMM Hawaii MIA DD 10 Aug 1943  


One additional USS ASTORIA Sailor listed among the missing in the 1942 documentation could not be verified either as a survivor or missing and declared dead. He could not be positively identified in the records of the American Battle Monuments Commission although his name is present on the final USS ASTORIA Muster Roll.

Huett, Marvin G. S2/c                             MIA               


Defying The Odds
Two sailors originally listed among the missing survived the ordeal against all odds. MM2/c Ernest B. Christensen and AOM3/c Norman W. LeRoy were left behind when the U.S. Navy left Guadalcanal on 9 August 1942. Days later they were discovered floating in a life raft.

Both remained regular attendees of USS ASTORIA reunions 50 years later.



Ships of DesRon 12 perform S-turns in respect for those lost as they pass through Iron Bottom Sound in 1944. This became standard practice for U.S. Navy ships passing over the site of the battle once the Solomons were in American control. In the background is Savo Island.
-U.S. Navy photo in NARA Collection 80-G-220760




                                                "I woke alone on a desolate shore
                                                 From a dream not sound or sweet
                                                 But there in the sands in the moonlight
                                                 Were the marks of phantom feet."
                                                                                -Father Walter A. Mahler
                                                                                 Chaplain, USS ASTORIA




If you can provide additional information or photographs of the Sailors and Marines listed on this page, please contact me at brentj@mighty90.com.


Sources
American Battle Monuments Commission. http://www.abmc.gov/home.php

Department of Veterans Affairs Grave Locator. http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov

Jones, Brent. Private document collection.

National Archives and Records Administration. http://www.archives.gov/research/.


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