Daily Event for November 10, 2007

Launched on Nov. 28, 1943 in Wilmington, North Carolina the ammunition ship USS Mount Hood AE-11 made
only one voyage in the service of the U.S. Government. She sailed on Aug. 21, 1944 for the Admiralty Islands
with a hold full of ordnance for the troops in the Pacific. She arrived in Manus on Sept. 22, 1943 and began
supplying the ships destine for the Philippines invasion.

She was still there on Nov. 10, 1944 when at 08:55 the ship was destroyed by a terrific explosion. The blast
was so powerful it not only destroyed the Mount Hood but it damaged several other ships in the bay. In total three hundred and seventy-two people were killed, 297 on Mount Hood and 35 others, including 18 on the USS Mindanao ARG-3.

None of the men aboard Mount Hood survived the explosion, however 18 of the crew were off ship. The only officer to survive was Lt. Lester H. Wallace, who was ashore with 11 crewmen. One man was in the brig ashore and the rest were on various vessels in the harbor, including one man, Lt. Winfrey D. Collie, Jr., on USS Mindanao ARG-3.

No exact cause could for the blast could be determined due to the lack of evidence as the ship was nearly vaporized. The members of the Board of Inquiry concluded that faulty ammunition was the cause. Lt. Wallace later stated that he saw shells dating back to 1915 in the holds. The faulty munitions were separated by the crew and stored in hold #1. The most common defect seems to have been corrosion.

It did not take long for the rumor mill to start and it quickly reached Japan. Tokyo Rose, within two hours of the disaster, announced that the ship had been destroyed by a midget submarine. Others claimed seeing a plane diving on the ship dropping a bomb, neither of course were true. It was not until Dec. 5th that the Navy announced the loss of USS Mount Hood. The short announcement did not give any indication of the scope of the disaster.

"The 3,733 ton naval ammunition ship Mount Hood was lost when it accidentally blew up at an advanced base in the Central Pacific".

The report went on to say; "Com. Harold Agnew Turner, 56, of Palm City, Cal., commanding officer reported missing. No other details of loss of life on the Mount Hood were given, and no estimate of the ship's complement was available."
© 2007 Michael W. Pocock
MaritimeQuest.com


USS Mount Hood AE-11 seen in July 1944.
The explosion of USS Mount Hood AE-11 at Seeadler Harbor.
 
 
The damaged USS Mindanao ARG-3 seen after the explosion.
 
 
Seeadler Harbor after the explosion. Alhena AKA-9 (top right), USS Mindanao ARG-3 (center) and USS Oberrender DE-344 (top right).
 

Roll of Honor
In memory of those who lost their lives in the explosion of
USS Mount Hood AE-11
"As long as we embrace them in our memory, their spirit will always be with us"

Name
Rate
Notes
Abbott, Frederick L.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Acquaotta, Charles J.
Machinist's Mate 1st Class (USNR)
Adams, Robert E.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
 
Andrews, Togo
Machinist (Warrant Officer)
Antoniazzi, Henry
Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (USNR)
Archer, Harold E.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Bair, Clyde T.
Lieutenant
Baird, David H.
Carpenter's Mate 2nd Class (USNR)
Barker, Jr., Lee J.
Fireman 1st Class (USNR)
Barnes, James E.
Ship's Cook 2nd Class (USNR)
Barstow, Carlton E.
Pharmacist Mate 1st Class (USNR)
Bassler, Joseph H.
Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (USNR)
Mindanao ARG-3
Berry, Floyd F.
Carpenter's Mate 2nd Class (USNR)
Bertin, Richard J.
Fireman 1st Class (USNR)
Biegel, Edmund R.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
 
Biehler, Jr., Joseph A.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Pool Boat #15 (Manus)
Blakeley, John B.
Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (USNR)
YMS-238
Bloom, Edgar N.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Bobotas, Anast G.
Radioman 2nd Class (USNR)
Bowers, Jr., Leonard
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Bragg, Horace R.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Branks, John T.
Radarman 3rd Class (USNR)
 
Brawley, Loyd A.
Coxswain
Section Base Manus
Brennan, John W.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Brooks, Albert L.
Radarman 3rd Class (USNR)
 
Brose, Otto L.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Mindanao ARG-3
Brown, Sr., Joseph
Steward's Mate 2nd Class (USNR)
Brown, Samuel
Steward's Mate 2nd Class (USNR)
Burgess, Leonard
Coxswain
Cebu ARG-6
Cabaniss, Charles H.
Chief Shipfitter
Mindanao ARG-3
 
Calhoon, Maston F.
Boatswain
Call, Franklin D.
Ship's Cook 3rd Class (USNR)
 
Cargill, Marion E.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Pool Boat #15 (Manus)
Carideo, Carmelo T.
Motor Machinist's Mate 2c (USNR)
 
Carter, Ralph E.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Pool Boat #15 (Manus)
Cash, Ervin McK.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Oberrender DE-344
Castagnetti, Henry
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Cayten, Eldridge
Fireman 1st Class (USNR)
Chapell, William T.
Lieutenant (USNR)
 
Chewkanes, Alexander J.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
YO-77
Chivers, Nelson W.
Ensign (USNR)
Chorley, Thomas D.
Storekeeper 2nd Class
Christmas, Harold
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Chuba, Andrew A.
Coxswain
Clark, Vaille LaS.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Mindanao ARG-3 DoW Nov. 12
Clinton, Stephen
Chief Boatswain's Mate
Cochran, Charles
Steward's Mate 1st Class (USNR)
Cochran, Henry
Steward's Mate 1st Class (USNR)
 
Cochran, John C.
Motor Machinist's Mate 3c (USNR)
Pool Boat #15 (Manus)
Cofield, Joseph L.
Steward's Mate 2nd Class (USNR)
Coker, Patrick O.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Mindanao ARG-3
 
Collie, Jr., Winfrey D.
Lieutenant (Supply Corps)
(a)
Conant, Kenneth C.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Cooks, Charlie
Steward's Mate 1st Class (USNR)
Coughlin, Francis J.
Seaman 1st Class
Covington, David L.
Fireman 2nd Class (USNR)
Cowart, Blane E.
Sonarman 2nd Class
Cross, Elwood G.
Shipfitter 2nd Class
Crow, Troy C.
Machinist's Mate 2nd Class
Cygnar, Carl A.
Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class (USNR)
Mindanao ARG-3
Daniels, Herbert J.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Davidson, Alexander
Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class (USNR)
Davis, Clarence A.
Fireman 1st Class (USNR)
De Tore, Philip J.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
 
De Witt, William C.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Briareus AR-12
Deardorff, George H.
Chief Quartermaster
Dennard, Kloyce W.
Gunner's Mate 1st Class
Denser, Ralph W.
Sonarman 3rd Class (USNR)
Deskins, Gerald F.
Electrician's Mate 3rd Class (USNR)
Desrosiers, Robert B.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Dewley, Arthur
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Di Chiaro, Nicholas J.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Di Francesco, Nicholas A.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Di Mauro, Lucio J.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Di Pippo, Carmine A.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
 
Dickie, Robert E.
Motor Machinist's Mate 2c (USNR)
Pool Boat #15 (Manus)
Dickson, Robert C.
Fireman 1st Class (USNR)
Dilillo, Giovanni G.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Dineen, William F.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Dinitto, Louis P.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Ditieri, Jr., Adam A.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Divilio, David D.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
  Dixon, Clyde T. Seaman 1st Class (USNR) Pool Boat #15 (Manus)
Dodge, Jack M.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
 
Dosland, Norman W.
Coxswain (USNR)
Pool Boat #15 (Manus)
Doubblestein, Gerald S.
Motor Machinist's Mate 1st Class
Dougherty, Gerald R.
Printer 3rd Class (USNR)
Mindanao ARG-3
Drake, Harold A.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Duff, William H.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Durr, William J.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Dyer, Ellsworth R.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Dzierzek, Edward J.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
  Eades, Ransom E. Seaman 2nd Class (USNR) Pool Boat #15 (Manus)
Eberhardt, Raymond F.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Eberhardt, Raymond J.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Edwards, Albert A.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Edwards, Marvin L.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Edwards, Robert L.
Watertender 2nd Class
Ekers, William E.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
YMS-238
Ellinger, William A.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Elsemore, Lawrence A.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Emmelmann, Richard C.
Ensign (USNR)
Enterlein, George A.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Esposito, Robert
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Everetts, Vance A.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Everman, Edward T.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
 
Farina, Dominick
Coxswain (USNR)
Pool Boat #15 (Manus)
Farlow, George B.
Fire Controlman 3rd Class (USNR)
 
Faulk, Jr., John R.
Motor Machinist's Mate 3c (USNR)
Pool Boat #15 (Manus)
Fazzino, Salvatore S.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Ferrigno, Louis D.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Ferry, Jr., William H.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
 
Field, Earl P.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Pool Boat #15 (Manus)
Finnell, Carl
Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class
 
Flake, Jr., Caswell A.
Pharmacist's Mate 2c (USNR)
Argonne AG-31
Flaxer, Arthur I.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Ford, Raymond F.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
 
Fox, Trevor H.
Lieutenant (j.g.)
Mindanao ARG-3 DoW Nov. 12
  Frank, Bernard M. Coxswain (USNR) Pool Boat #15 (Manus)
Frazier, Guy W.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Mindanao ARG-3
Fuchs, George I.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Fuchs, Jacob M.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Funkey, George T.
Gunner's Mate 1st Class (USNR)
Galassi, Victor A.
Machinist's Mate 3rd Class (USNR)
Gendron, Raymond N.
Machinist's Mate 3rd Class (USNR)
Gilbert, Henry C.
Coxswain (USNR)
Mindanao ARG-3
Gotliboski, Thomas J.
Chief Watertender
 
Green, Willard B.
Motor Machinist's Mate 3c (USNR)
Pool Boat #15 (Manus)
Griffin, Alvin S.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Griffis, Jr., William R.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Griffith, Paul W.
Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (USNR)
Grimes, Darrell V.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Grimes, Jack E.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Groetzinger, Donald R.
Ship's Cook 3rd Class (USNR)
Grover, Oliver A.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Gruver, Charles E.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Gualtieri, Vincent P.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Guzzo, Richard C.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Haase, Albert C.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Hadeed, Henry
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Hail, Raymond E.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Hall, Morris L.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Hall, Peter
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Alhena AKA-9
Hall, Richard L.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Hall, Richard M.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Mindanao ARG-3
Hallahan, Francis L.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Hallick, Edward A.
Seaman 2nd Class
 
Halligan, Donald F.
Lieutenant (j.g.)
Mindanao ARG-3
Halligan, Richard E.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Halterman, Bernard A.
Machinist's Mate 1st Class
Ham, Charles H.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Hamel, Harry R.
Seaman 2nd Class
Canadian National
Hancock, Roy L.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Hanlon, Robert A.
Lieutenant (j.g.) (USNR)
Hanly, John M.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Hannabarger, Melton B.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Harden, Joseph J.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Hardin, Jr., John J.
Pharmacist Mate 2nd Class (USNR)
Hargrave, Clarence F.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
 
Harleman, John D.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Harmon, Jr., Arthur R.
Seaman 2nd Class
Harper, Leon C.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Harston, William E.
Steward's Mate 2nd Class
 
Hartley, Robert E.
Seaman 1st Class
Sierra AD-18
Hayes, Harold D.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Helms, Leonard C.
Gunner's Mate 1st Class
Hight, Wesley R.
Seaman 1st Class
Mindanao ARG-3
Hill, Neil
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Hoban, Michael J.
Signalman 3rd Class
Horton, Harold L.
Gunner's Mate 2nd Class
Mindanao ARG-3 DoW Nov. 15
Hudak, Andrew M.
Gunner's Mate 3rd Class (USNR)
Hudson, Jack W.
Seaman 1st Class
Imbeau, Jack D.
Chief Electrician's Mate (USNR)
Ingram, Galen D.
Fireman 1st Class
 
Jasper, Jack A.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Jefferson, Johnny
Steward 2nd Class
 
Johansen, Jr., Paul D.
Electrician's Mate 3rd Class (USNR)
Piedmont AD-17
Johnson, Shirley A.
Electrician's Mate 1st Class
 
Jones, Everett L.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Argonne AG-31 DoW Feb. 17, 1945
Jones, Harry
Steward's Mate 1st Class (USNR)
Jones, LeRoy N.
Fireman 2nd Class (USNR)
Jordan, George K.
Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class
 
Karwoski, Jr., Stanley
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Mindanao ARG-3 DoW Dec. 2
Kelley, John E.
Machinist's Mate 1st Class
Kerns, Robert E.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Mindanao ARG-3
King, James V.
Watertender 3rd Class (USNR)
Klecak, Frank
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Klei, Walter C.
Seaman 1st Class
Kosiuk, John
Machinist's Mate 3rd Class (USNR)
Koss, John P.
Fireman 1st Class (USNR)
Kraitz, Calvin
Radioman 3rd Class (USNR)
Kreger, Lynwood D.
Storekeeper 1st Class (USNR)
Kroeper, Jr., Frank A.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Kuntz, Clarence G.
Special Artificer 3rd Class (USNR)
Mindanao ARG-3
La France, Jr., Joseph H.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Langston, Donald R.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Laporte, Joseph D.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Cebu ARG-6 DoW Nov. 14
Larimer, Richard H.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Law, Willard T. R.
Chief Commissary Steward
Leaf, Walter S.
Machinist's Mate 3rd Class (USNR)
Leicht, Howard
Lieutenant (j.g.)
Lester, L. C.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Alhena AKA-9
Lewis, Delbert R.
Electrician's Mate 2nd Class (USNR)
Lichenstein, Bernard J.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Linzer, William T.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Lloyd, Daniel W.
Chief Machinist's Mate
Long, Jr., James
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Lowrey, Rephelius B.
Yeoman 1st Class (USNR)
MacKenzie, James B.
Lieutenant (j.g.) (USNR)
Madsen, Keith T.
Fireman 1st Class (USNR)
Malinowski, Sigmund J.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Marchiano, Peter J.
Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class
Mares, Edward L.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Martin, John M.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
 
Mason, Lyle J.
Coxswain (USNR)
Pool Boat #15 (Manus)
Maune, Jr., James J.
Machinist's Mate 1st Class
Mayo, Raymond D.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Mays, Gerald E.
Radioman 2nd Class
McCann, Rayburn C.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
McClellan, Samuel D.
Fireman 2nd Class (USNR)
McConnell, Meldon H.
Fireman 1st Class
 
McGarrity, Walter T.
Torpedoman's Mate 3c (USNR)
Oberrender DE-344
McGuire, J. C.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
McKay, Donald R.
Lieutenant (USNR)
Medical Corps
  McKinnon, William V. Lieutenant (j.g.) (USNR) Mindanao ARG-3
McLoughlin, Harry J.
Molder 1st Class
Mindanao ARG-3
Mekemson, Andrew V.
Gunner's Mate 3rd Class
YMS-340
 
Metz, Kameron B.
Ensign
 
Mikrut, Charles J.
Shipfitter 3rd Class (USNR)
Sierra AD-10
Miller, Joel
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Miller, Morton M.
Lieutenant (j.g.) (USNR)
Mistretta, Michael
Pharmacist Mate 3rd Class (USNR)
Molon, Michael J.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Montalban, Celedonio
Steward 1st Class (USNR)
 
Morris, Dexter P.
Chief Radio Technicion (USNR)
Argonne AG-31
Morse, Angus R.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Mula, Charles J.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Murphy, Hugh J.
Chief Gunner's Mate (USNR)
Myers, John E.
Lt. Commander (USNR)
Nanoff, Peter
Storekeeper 1st Class (USNR)
Mindanao ARG-3
Nauman, John H.
Machinist's Mate 2nd Class (USNR)
Noble, Charles L.
Yeoman 2nd Class (USNR)
Nuckles, Harvey E.
Fireman 2nd Class (USNR)
Oliver, Jr., Augustus C.
Seaman 1st Class
O'Malley, John J.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Orr, Vernon J.
Lieutenant (USNR)
Canadian National
Ott, William F.
Electrician's Mate 1st Class
Pacella, Michael P.
Shipfitter 1st Class
Palmer, Merl O.
Machinist's Mate 1st Class (USNR)
Parker, Kenzie
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Parker, Robert A.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Passalacqua, Louis J.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Pattillo, Robert B.
Chief Storekeeper
Payne, Arthur
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Perilloux, Howard W.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Perry, Raymond M.
Seaman 1st Class
Canadian National
Pertile, Angelo
Chief Gunner's Mate (USNR)
 
Peterson, John L.
Fireman 1st Class (USNR)
Pool Boat #15 (Manus)
Peterson, Jr., Melvin L.
Radarman 3rd Class (USNR)
Petrusky, John J.
Fireman 1st Class (USNR)
Pfeifer, Robert H.
Gunner's Mate 3rd Class
Phelps, Lawrence W.
Chief Machinist's Mate
Phillips, George L.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Phillips, Olin
Fireman 2nd Class (USNR)
Pitzer, John O.
Quartermaster 3rd Class (USNR)
Poerio, Joseph M.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Popovich, Nicholas P.
Hospital Apprentice 1st Class (USNR)
Pozolante, Michael A.
Storekeeper 1st Class (USNR)
Preziosi, Carmen J.
Fireman 1st Class (USNR)
Privitera, Sam A.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Proctor, Samuel L.
Shipfitter 1st Class
Prowell, R. A.
Cook 1st Class
Pulliam, Arthur R.
Fireman 1st Class (USNR)
Quatto, Sam
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Cebu ARG-6 DoW Nov. 12
Quickel, Harley B.
Watertender 3rd Class (USNR)
 
Raber, Warren H.
Lieutenant (j.g.)
Young DD-580
Reed, Robert C.
Gunner's Mate 3rd Class
Rescigno, Anthony
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Reynolds, Ray
Chief Yeoman
Richards, Thomas P.
Machinist's Mate 3rd Class (USNR)
Richardson, Ural R.
Fireman 1st Class (USNR)
Rider, Lewis W.
Fireman 1st Class (USNR)
Roach, William F.
Electrician's Mate 2nd Class (USNR)
Robb, William A.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Robbins, Robert G.
Fireman 1st Class (USNR)
Robinson, Jr., George
Gunner's Mate 2nd Class
Robinson, Turner B.
Motor Machinist's Mate 1st Class (USNR)
Rolfe, Charles W.
Watertender 1st Class
Rose, Frederick W.
Machinist's Mate 3rd Class (USNR)
Rose, Hubert E.
Fireman 1st Class
 
Ross, Sr., Charles
Fireman 1st Class (USNR)
Sierra AD-10
Routon, Spire W.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Sabol, Steven
Lieutenant (j.g.)
 
Salazar, Leo
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Pool Boat #15 (Manus)
Sampere, Carlo P.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Samuels, James N.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Cebu ARG-6
Scaffidi, Charles A.
Chief Radioman
Schnorr, William F.
Radio Technician 2nd Class (USNR)
Schrader, William L.
Yeoman 1st Class (USNR)
Schuster, Frederick J.
Signalman 2nd Class (USNR)
Alhena AKA-9 DoW Nov. 11
 
Schwalberg, Frederick P.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Pool Boat #15 (Manus)
Schwietzer, Robert E.
Ensign (USNR)
Scott, Dorman L.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Seabright, Donald H.
Quartermaster 2nd Class (USNR)
Segel, Maurice G.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Shanahan, John M.
Electrician's Mate 3rd Class (USNR)
Shea, Daniel F.
Motor Machinist's Mate 1c (USNR)
Mindanao ARG-3
Sheern, James E.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
 
Singleton, Eldon
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Piedmont AD-17
Shinkle, John K.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Smith, Cecil
Gunner's Mate 2nd Class (USNR)
Smith, Cecil D.
Boatswain's Mate 1st Class
Smith, Charles F.
Steward's Mate 1st Class (USNR)
Smith, Jake W.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Smith, John B.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
 
Smith, Joseph P.
Fireman 1st Class (USNR)
Pool Boat #15 (Manus)
 
Smith, Roy
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Kyne DD-744
Smoak, Jr., Daniel M.
Fireman 1st Class (USNR)
Sokoloski, Stanley F.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Songy, Joseph D.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Spare, Frank B.
Pharmacist Mate 1st Class (USNR)
YMS-293
Spon, George J.
Coxswain (USNR)
Starling, Willie F.
Shipfitter 3rd Class (USNR)
Cebu ARG-6
 
Stasiak, Gustav J.
Motor Machinist's Mate 3rd Class
Briareus AR-12
Stephens, Cyril E.
Electrician's Mate 2nd Class (USNR)
  Stewart, Johnny C. Fireman 1st Class ComServRon Ten
Stocki, Alfred V.
Machinist's Mate 1st Class (USNR)
Mindanao ARG-3
Strom, Lloyd S.
Ensign (USNR)
Stuckey, Jr., Clifford S.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Sudovich, Mike
Boatswain's Mate 1st Class (USNR)
Sullivan, William J.
Coxswain
Summerrow, Earl J. L.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Swift, Herbert A.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Switzer, Alonzo J.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
 
Talkington, Donald P.
Coxswain (USNR)
ComServRon Ten
Talley, Edgar P.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Taylor, Willard G.
Watertender 2nd Class
Teague, George T.
Machinist's Mate 2nd Class
Telmosse, Leonard F.
Storekeeper 2nd Class (USNR)
Tenorio, Luis N.
Steward 2nd Class
Thoerner, Henry B.
Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class (USNR)
Thomas, Nolan O.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Thompson, Eugene L.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Tompkins, Robert C.
Quartermaster 1st Class
Travers, Lloyd L.
Seaman 1st Class
 
Trice, Melville D.
Seaman 2nd Class (USNR)
Sierra AD-10
Turner, Harold A.
Commander
Commanding Officer
Uhlen, Evert A.
Machinist's Mate 1st Class (USNR)
Umina, Benson H.
Chief Pharmacist's Mate (USNR)
Vallery, John V.
Acting Pay Clerk
Waller, James A.
Fireman 1st Class (USNR)
Walton, Clark
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
YMS-49
 
Wells, June
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Pool Boat #15 (Manus)
West, Robert L.
Fireman 1st Class (USNR)
West, Willard L.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Whelan, John E.
Coxswain (USNR)
White, Arthur St. C.
Chief Commissary Steward
 
Wilburn, Donald D.
Coxswain
Briareus AR-12
 
Wilke, Norman F.
Lieutenant (j.g.) (USNR)
Mindanao ARG-3
Wilkens, Steve L.
Gunner's Mate 2nd Class (USNR)
Williams, Newton O.
Signalman 1st Class (USNR)
Wilmes, William F.
Storekeeper 3rd Class
Wise, Ralph T.
Chief Gunner (Warrant Officer)
Wojtowicz, Edward
Seaman 1st Class
Wolfe, Clyde R.
Soundman 3rd Class
YMS-293
Womack, Lawrence C.
Coxswain
YMS-341
Woodall, Jr., Matthew S.
Coxswain
Woodford, Thurston F.
Signalman 3rd Class (USNR)
Worden, Raymond F.
Hospital Apprentice 1st Class
Wright, John W.
Fire Controlman 3rd Class (USNR)
Yarusso, Jr., Ernest A.
Fireman 1st Class (USNR)
Mindanao ARG-3
Yon, Howard
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Oberrender DE-344
Yorton, Theodore E.
Seaman 1st Class (USNR)
Yuzev, Walter M.
Fireman 1st Class (USNR)
Zachary, Jack
Cook 3rd Class
 
 
The names above are confirmed casualties of the explosion of USS Mount Hood AE-11.
Unless otherwise noted the man was assigned to USS Mount Hood.
 
Notes:
 
(a):
Aboard USS Mindanao ARG-3 at the time of the explosion. He was the only member of the
Mount Hood crew whose body was recovered and identified. He is buried at Spring Hill
Cemetery, Nashville, Tennessee.
DoW=
Died of wounds.

1.
May 29, 2020

My Dad was there when the Ammunition ship Mount Hood blew up Admiralty Islands. He used to tell me that story when I was a child. I grew up with a fairly large hunk of the Metal hull of the Mount Hood. My dad James Eley had painted the name of the ship on the hunk of metal. It sure is heavy for something of that size. He was on the Minesweeper YMS 335 Coxswain(BM3) He told me he saw a big wave or blast that went under the vessel he was on. He figured anything or anyone in the water at that time would have been gutted. I just figured this true story needed to be told so I am here to give it.

I was in the Navy also served on two destroyers, USS Dale DLG19 missile Frigate 1968-69 and after being sent to Vietnam 1970 from this ship, after my tour in DaNang I was sent to the Joseph Kennedy DD 850 1971-72 where I spent my remaining time in before I was sent home when we ported into Augusta Bay, Sicily for separation.

Thank you,
James Eley, BM3
 
 
To submit a photo, biographical information or correction please email the webmaster.