The older I get the more I hate war.
“War is a racket!” -General Smedley D. Butler
It’s sad most people never heard of him.
So much for leaving no soldier behind.
That would bring closure for over 1,000 families. It would be hard knowing how they died and that they were POW’s of the Japanese, knowing how inhumane they were to Americans.
But they would be accounted for at least.
The only survivors rescued were the Japanese.
“No efforts will be made to remove human remains and artifacts out of respect for the families of those who died, according to a statement Saturday from Sydney-based Silentworld Foundation, a nonprofit dedicated to maritime archaeology and history.”
Am I the only one thinking the real reason they wont remove human remains is the cost?
Aussies killed by American friendly fire.
Tragic.
...
I believe this was the ship that the Smothers Brothers lost their father on. Several members of Class of 39 (Naval Academy) died on it also. I’ll have to check Visual Memorial Wall but at least one swam to island. Later to die.
What a terrible intel failure
The big surprise is that the USN had a functioning torpedo in 1942. From what I’ve read, virtually NO US torpedoes worked at all until spring-summer 1943. Ironic that this early one took so many US lives; although once in Japanese custody, their survival outlook was pretty grim anyway, torpedo or not.
Let them rest. God knows where they are buried and will raise them from the depths and make them whole again. Rest in peace men.
Well that is sad. Something to think about if you are eager to start another war.
>>off the coast of the Philippines by a United States submarine whose crew did not realize the vessel carried prisoners of war<<
Common occurrence around Indonesia when it was still known as the Dutch East Indies.
The sinking if the Montevideo Maru also killed 5000 Japanese servicemen, more than killed in the sinking of any other single vessel.
War is hell.