The Final Battles of the Astoria and Chicago: A Survivor's Tale

On July 31, 1942, the USS Astoria (CA-34) and the USS Chicago (CA-29) were sunk in the Battle of Savo Island. The two cruisers were part of a task force that was trying to intercept a Japanese invasion force that was headed for Guadalcanal. The battle was a disaster for the American forces, and the Astoria and Chicago were two of the ships that were lost. Over 1,000 sailors were killed in the battle, including the captains of both ships.

The Astoria was hit by a torpedo early in the battle, and the ship quickly began to sink. The crew fought bravely to save their ship, but it was no use. The Astoria sank in just 12 minutes, and over 200 sailors were killed. One of the survivors of the Astoria was Seaman First Class John D. Bulkeley. Bulkeley was on the bridge of the Astoria when the ship was hit, and he was one of the few sailors who managed to escape. He swam for hours in the water before he was finally rescued by a lifeboat.

Lost at Guadalcanal: The Final Battles of the Astoria and Chicago as Described by Survivors and in Official Reports

by John J. Domagalski

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4708 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	232 pages
Paperback	:	52 pages
Item Weight	:	6.7 ounces
Dimensions	:	8.5 x 0.13 x 11 inches

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The Chicago was also hit by a torpedo early in the battle, and the ship quickly began to sink. The crew fought bravely to save their ship, but it was no use. The Chicago sank in just 15 minutes, and over 600 sailors were killed. One of the survivors of the Chicago was Seaman Second Class George H. Wahlen. Wahlen was in the engine room of the Chicago when the ship was hit, and he was one of the few sailors who managed to escape. He swam for hours in the water before he was finally rescued by a lifeboat.

The Battle of Savo Island was a turning point in the Pacific War. The loss of the Astoria and Chicago showed the United States that they were not invincible in the Pacific. The battle also showed the Japanese that the Americans were willing to fight for Guadalcanal. The battle was a major victory for the Japanese, but it also helped to galvanize the American people and make them more determined to win the war.

The Survivors' Stories

The survivors of the Astoria and Chicago had harrowing stories to tell. Many of them had witnessed the deaths of their friends and shipmates. They had seen their ships sink, and they had spent hours in the water before they were finally rescued. Despite their experiences, the survivors were grateful to be alive.

John D. Bulkeley went on to become a highly decorated naval officer. He served in the Pacific War and the Korean War, and he retired from the Navy in 1964 with the rank of rear admiral. George H. Wahlen also went on to have a successful career in the Navy. He served in the Pacific War and the Korean War, and he retired from the Navy in 1968 with the rank of captain.

The survivors of the Astoria and Chicago are a reminder of the sacrifices that were made by the men and women who served in the Pacific War. Their stories are a testament to the courage and resilience of the human spirit.

The Ships

The Astoria and Chicago were two of the most advanced cruisers in the US Navy at the time of their sinking. The Astoria was a New Orleans-class cruiser, and the Chicago was a Baltimore-class cruiser. Both ships were armed with a variety of guns, including 8-inch guns, 5-inch guns, and anti-aircraft guns. They were also equipped with torpedoes and depth charges.

The Astoria and Chicago were both sunk by torpedoes from Japanese destroyers. The Astoria was hit by two torpedoes, and the Chicago was hit by three torpedoes. Both ships sank quickly, and there was little time for the crews to escape.

The sinking of the Astoria and Chicago was a major loss for the US Navy. The two cruisers were among the most powerful ships in the fleet, and their loss weakened the US Navy's ability to fight in the Pacific War.

The Battle

The Battle of Savo Island was a naval battle that took place on August 9, 1942. The battle was fought between the US Navy and the Imperial Japanese Navy. The US Navy was trying to intercept a Japanese invasion force that was headed for Guadalcanal. The Japanese Navy was trying to protect the invasion force.

The battle was a disaster for the US Navy. The US Navy lost four cruisers, one destroyer, and over 1,000 sailors. The Japanese Navy lost one destroyer and over 300 sailors.

The Battle of Savo Island was a turning point in the Pacific War. The loss of the Astoria and Chicago showed the United States that they were not invincible in the Pacific. The battle also showed the Japanese that the Americans were willing to fight for Guadalcanal. The battle was a major victory for the Japanese, but it also helped to galvanize the American people and make them more determined to win the war.

The Legacy

The Astoria and Chicago are remembered as two of the most tragic losses in the Pacific War. The two cruisers were sunk in a matter of minutes, and over 1,000 sailors were killed. The sinking of the Astoria and Chicago was a reminder of the sacrifices that were made by the men and women who served in the Pacific War.

The Astoria and Chicago are also remembered for their bravery. The crews of both ships fought valiantly to save their ships, but it was no use. The Astoria and Chicago were sunk, but their crews went down with their ships.

The Astoria and Chicago are a reminder of the sacrifices that were made by the men and women who served in the Pacific War. Their stories are a testament to the courage and resilience of the human spirit.

Lost at Guadalcanal: The Final Battles of the Astoria and Chicago as Described by Survivors and in Official Reports

by John J. Domagalski

4.5 out of 5

Language	:	English
File size	:	4708 KB
Text-to-Speech	:	Enabled
Screen Reader	:	Supported
Word Wise	:	Enabled
Print length	:	232 pages
Paperback	:	52 pages
Item Weight	:	6.7 ounces
Dimensions	:	8.5 x 0.13 x 11 inches

FREE