Photo By Staff Sgt. Erik Estrada | Adm. Harry B. Harris Jr., commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet, speaks during the West Loch...... read more read more
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PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii - On May 21, 1944, Pearl Harbor suffered another lesser known disaster that resulted in sinking ships and hundreds of naval casualties.
This year marks the sixth year that the African American Diversity Cultural Center of Hawai’i along with service members gathered at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific to honor the sailors and Marines who gave their lives 71 years ago on the West Loch side of Pearl Harbor.
“As we commemorate these veterans, we also remember their service with deep gratitude,” said JoAnne Fittante, a representative from the Office of Senator Brian Schatz. “Though these men have passed on, their legacy remains for future generations. Our country is a better place because of the sacrifices they made on the behalf of all Americans.”
Little was known about the West Loch disaster at the time, because a press blackout was enforced, and the disaster remained classified until 1960. But it is regarded as one of the reasons the Navy changed their ordnance-handling procedures.
Prior to Operation Forager in the Pacific, 29 Landing Ship Tanks were tied to beams in the harbor, many carrying munitions and fuel. A mortar round detonated aboard one of the LSTs, causing a chain reaction throughout the harbor. In total, 163 died and another 396 were injured. Marines from the 2nd and 4th Marine Division were among the casualties.
Casualties would have been greater, yet many crewmembers were on shore leave, leaving only half of the usual crew onboard at the time of the explosion.
“Firefighters surged into the inferno, only to be driven back by erupting flames and erupting explosions,” Adm. Harry b. Harris, commander, U.S. Pacific Fleet said. “They fought desperately to keep the fires from spreading to other ships in the fleet.”
Six LSTs were sunk, 17 tracked landing vehicles and eight 155mm guns were destroyed. Despite the damage to the ships, the U.S. military recovered quickly. Reinforcements continued as planned and three weeks later, Operation Forager opened with the Battle of Saipan.
The hull of the LST-480 is still visible today, beached on the West Loch in Pearl Harbor.
| Date Taken: | 05.21.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 05.22.2015 03:04 |
| Story ID: | 164221 |
| Location: | HONOLULU, HAWAII, US |
| Web Views: | 158 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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