Seaman Benson was one of first submarine fatalities of US Navy WORLD WAR II
Seaman 1st Class, Walter A. Benson MIA/KIA
Hometown: Charlotte, Michigan
Ship: USS Seadragon (SS-194)
Service # 3114563
Awards: Purple Heart, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia
Captain:
Mission: Dry dock overhaul
Mission Date: 10-Dec-41
Location: Cavite Navy Yard, Philippine Islands
Cause: Air attack
Crew: of 5 officers 54 enlisted - one killed and five wounded
8 December 1941 USS Seadragon had started her yard period at the Cavite Navy Yard. Two days later, on 10 December, she and sister ship Sealion, moored together, were caught in an enemy air raid against Cavite. Sealion took a direct hit which demolished her and damaged Seadragon. The force of the explosion ripped off part of the latter's bridge. Fragments and splinters punctured her ballast tanks and conning tower, killing one and wounding five. The heat of the explosion scorched her hull and blistered her black paint. Fires and explosions raged along the wharf. A nearby torpedo shop went up and flames reached toward a lighter, loaded with torpedoes, lying alongside Seadragon. Submarine Rescue Vessel Pigeon, however, disregarded the danger and moved in to tow Seadragon into the channel; she continued into Manila Bay under her own power.
Seaman 1st Class, Walter A. Benson MIA/KIA
Hometown: Charlotte, Michigan
Ship: USS Seadragon (SS-194)
Service # 3114563
Awards: Purple Heart, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia
Captain:
Mission: Dry dock overhaul
Mission Date: 10-Dec-41
Location: Cavite Navy Yard, Philippine Islands
Cause: Air attack
Crew: of 5 officers 54 enlisted - one killed and five wounded
8 December 1941 USS Seadragon had started her yard period at the Cavite Navy Yard. Two days later, on 10 December, she and sister ship Sealion, moored together, were caught in an enemy air raid against Cavite. Sealion took a direct hit which demolished her and damaged Seadragon. The force of the explosion ripped off part of the latter's bridge. Fragments and splinters punctured her ballast tanks and conning tower, killing one and wounding five. The heat of the explosion scorched her hull and blistered her black paint. Fires and explosions raged along the wharf. A nearby torpedo shop went up and flames reached toward a lighter, loaded with torpedoes, lying alongside Seadragon. Submarine Rescue Vessel Pigeon, however, disregarded the danger and moved in to tow Seadragon into the channel; she continued into Manila Bay under her own power.
Seaman Benson was one of first submarine fatalities of US Navy WORLD WAR II
Seaman 1st Class, Walter A. Benson MIA/KIA
Hometown: Charlotte, Michigan
Ship: USS Seadragon (SS-194)
Service # 3114563
Awards: Purple Heart, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia
Captain:
Mission: Dry dock overhaul
Mission Date: 10-Dec-41
Location: Cavite Navy Yard, Philippine Islands
Cause: Air attack
Crew: of 5 officers 54 enlisted - one killed and five wounded
8 December 1941 USS Seadragon had started her yard period at the Cavite Navy Yard. Two days later, on 10 December, she and sister ship Sealion, moored together, were caught in an enemy air raid against Cavite. Sealion took a direct hit which demolished her and damaged Seadragon. The force of the explosion ripped off part of the latter's bridge. Fragments and splinters punctured her ballast tanks and conning tower, killing one and wounding five. The heat of the explosion scorched her hull and blistered her black paint. Fires and explosions raged along the wharf. A nearby torpedo shop went up and flames reached toward a lighter, loaded with torpedoes, lying alongside Seadragon. Submarine Rescue Vessel Pigeon, however, disregarded the danger and moved in to tow Seadragon into the channel; she continued into Manila Bay under her own power.
Seaman 1st Class, Walter A. Benson MIA/KIA
Hometown: Charlotte, Michigan
Ship: USS Seadragon (SS-194)
Service # 3114563
Awards: Purple Heart, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, Submarine Combat Patrol Insignia
Captain:
Mission: Dry dock overhaul
Mission Date: 10-Dec-41
Location: Cavite Navy Yard, Philippine Islands
Cause: Air attack
Crew: of 5 officers 54 enlisted - one killed and five wounded
8 December 1941 USS Seadragon had started her yard period at the Cavite Navy Yard. Two days later, on 10 December, she and sister ship Sealion, moored together, were caught in an enemy air raid against Cavite. Sealion took a direct hit which demolished her and damaged Seadragon. The force of the explosion ripped off part of the latter's bridge. Fragments and splinters punctured her ballast tanks and conning tower, killing one and wounding five. The heat of the explosion scorched her hull and blistered her black paint. Fires and explosions raged along the wharf. A nearby torpedo shop went up and flames reached toward a lighter, loaded with torpedoes, lying alongside Seadragon. Submarine Rescue Vessel Pigeon, however, disregarded the danger and moved in to tow Seadragon into the channel; she continued into Manila Bay under her own power.
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