Machinist's Mate 1st Class James "Jack" Byrd Jr. seen in 1943.

Machinist's Mate 1st Class James "Jack" Byrd Jr. seen in 1943.

James "Jack" Byrd Jr. (left) and his brother William E. Byrd seen onboard USS Mobile CL-63 in July 1945.

William E. Byrd (left) and James "Jack" Byrd Jr. seen onboard USS Mobile CL-63 in July 1945.

Newspaper article about James "Jack" Byrd Jr. in the San Marcos Daily Record, San Marcos, Texas.

Transcription of James E. Byrd, Jr. (Machinist Mate, USS Hornet CV-8) diary excerpt describing Battle of Santa Cruz, abandoning ship, rescue by USS Morris DD-417, and recovery at Noumea, New Caledonia.

CONFIDENTIAL! A NEW START MONDAY Oct. 26, 1942 : We launch 2 waves of enemy carrier forces and we go to GQ at 0925. 0945: Hornet attacked by 80 Jap dive & torpedo planes. 3 torpedo hits 3 bomb hits, put ship out of operation, second Jap attack in evening second attack 2 torpedo hits & 2 bomb hits, we abandon ship at 1630. I leave ship 9 mi to 1700. Third attack high altitude bombers 2 hits. #417 Morris picks me up 1 hour later, have another attack after aboard (can at high speed) we have 750 survivors aboard, we leave area. Our cans try to sink Hornet. OCT. 30: Morris arrives in Noumea, leave can for "Rest camp" 8 miles in Hills, 4.0 NOV. 3: Leave camp after 4 days there. Was lucky & drew blank [black?]. Come aboard S.S. Lauroline [?] after drawing a few free clothes on beach. Get state room 6 men, 40 [?]. We all live with our life jackets - what 40 chow [?]. FRID. NOV. 6: @ 1700 Underway from Noumea! NOV. 9: Set clock back 24 hrs. two mondays. 20. S. K. heading E.N.E. U.S. Forces land at 10 points in E. & N. Africa, big offensive started by land sea & air. British with U.S. Planes & Grant [?] tanks are defeating Italians & Germans in N. Africa. Now only a moping [sic] up process for allies. NOV. 13 : Allies have taken back Tobruk; Germans[diary excerpt ends here] Transcription by Kenneth E. Byrd
(son of James E. Byrd, Jr.),
Jan. 29, 2010
Indianapolis, Indiana

All photos and text from the collection of James E. "Jack" Byrd, Jr., U.S.N.
courtesy of Kenneth Byrd
scans by Catherine Byrd