James E. McGee
Quartermaster, Second Class, U.S. Navy; Service # 3753530
Entered the Service from: California
Missing in Action 01 March 1942, In the Indian Ocean, position 13-45S 106-45E, 430 miles south of Java; near Christmas Island
Officially Declared KIA: 25 November 1945
Awards: Purple Heart
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Roll
31 Oct 1939 USS Rigel: Sea1c James E McGee (3753530) enlisted on 11 October 1939 at Los Angeles. Received on 25 October 1939 from R. S. San Diego, Calif., TD FTT ASTA
14 Nov 1939 USS Henderson sailing from San Diego, Calif to San Pedro, Calif: Sea1c James E McGee (3753530) enlisted on 11 October 1939 at Los Angeles. Received on 13 November 1939 for USS RIGEL FFT ASTA
6 Jan 1940 USS Henderson sailing from Manila, P.I. to Shanghai, China: Sea1c James E McGee (3753530) enlisted on 11 October 1939 at Los Angeles. Transferred 03 January 1940 to the USS Edsail.
30 Sep 1941, 31 Dec 1941 USS Edsail (DD-219): QM2c James E McGee (3753530) enlisted on 11 October 1939. Date first received on board - 06 January 1941.
The USS Edsall (DD-219 was called to action after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. She was known for rescuing survivors of the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse, escorting convoys in Java fleeing south to Australia, and as the first U.S. destroyer to sink a full size enemy submarine in World War II. After rescuing survivors of the USS Langley and transferring them by March 1, 1942, the Edsall headed in a northeasterly direction toward the beleaguered island of Java. Under orders to deliver thirty-two members of the Army Air Forces (AAF) to the southern port of Tjilatjap, she was never seen or heard from again by U.S. forces.
"Low cloud cover on the morning of March 1st help conceal the Edsall's movements as she made her best speed for Tjilatjap however by noon it would have became clear that she was not alone in her operating area. As Japanese recon planes scoured the sea for any sign of Allied forces, lookouts aboard the Edsall would have undoubtedly heard engines overhead throughout the early afternoon. Shortly after 1300hrs, radio operators aboard the Edsall would have received word from the Pecos that she was under air attack from Japanese aircraft, and it's likely Edsall diverted to assist before the Pecos was sunk at 1548hrs. Moments later, the Edsall herself was overflown by a Japanese recon aircraft from the Carrier HIJMS Akagi, whose pilot reported sighting a "Marblehead Class Cruiser" through the breaks in the clouds and reported its course and speed as it steamed roughly 250 miles SSE of Christmas Island. Within minutes of the report, orders were flashed to the commanders of the Japanese Battleships HIJMS Hiei and HIJMS Kirishima and the Heavy Cruisers HIJMS Chikuma and HIJMS Tone to intercept and destroy the American "Cruiser" which was only 30 kilometers away from the Japanese ships. Within ten minutes of receiving the order, lookouts aboard the Battleship Hiei had spotted the Edsall roughly 16 miles away and watched as the American ship quickly broke to the North and made smoke. Moving into battle formation, the four Japanese ships loaded their main batteries and opened fire at 1603hrs.
Owing to radical evasive maneuvering by her Captain and the overzealous Gun Captains aboard the Japanese Battleships and Cruisers, the Edsall was not struck by one of the 1,335 rounds fired at her over the ensuing 52 minutes, despite being hobbled by her still-damaged propulsion system. All Japanese ships ceased fire at 1655hrs and for a moment it may have seemed that the Edsall would be able to attempt an escape, however only minutes later the first of two waves of Japanese Carrier Aircraft were overhead and beginning their attacks. Though her gunners fought valiantly against their airborne attackers, the Edsall was quickly overwhelmed and by 1720hrs she had taken several direct hits and near-misses which had disabled her Port engine and set her superstructure aflame. Now steaming in slow circles and unable to escape, the Edsall was flanked by the Japanese ships and shelled from almost point-blank range by 14, 8 and 6 inch shellfire for a full 10 minutes before a cease fire was ordered. As her surviving crew scrambled to abandon ship, the battered Destroyer struggled to remain afloat for a full ten minutes before giving out. Finally, at 1731hrs on March 1st, 1942, USS Edsall rolled onto her Port side, "showing her red bottom" according to an officer aboard the Japanese battleship Hiei, and disappears into the abyss of the Indian Ocean in clouds of steam and smoke.
http://wikimapia.org/18947960/Wreck-of-USS-Edsall-DD-219
147 crew members go down with the ship including Quartermaster, Second Class, James E. McGee. Eight of her crew were picked up by Japanese cruiser, Chikuma and sent to the prisoner of war camp at Kendari, Celebes, Indonesia, Unfortunately, none came out of alive. Postwar, a group of natives directed Allied searchers to some graves covered with jungle vegetation. The graves were exhumed and five skeletons found, all identified by their ID tags as men from the Edsall, all been beheaded. No one aboard the Edsall survived.
In March 1942 relatives were told their men are MIA. That status was changed 25 November 1945 when relatives were told their men are KIA. It was not until 1952 when the Japanese released their World War II archives that many of the questions about the disappearance of the U.S.S. Edsall were answered.
See: http://www.usshouston.org/images/edsall.pdf
and the book: A Blue Sea of Blood: Deciphering the Mysterious Fate of the USS Edsall by Donald M. Kehn, Jr.'s 2009.
Quartermaster, Second Class, U.S. Navy; Service # 3753530
Entered the Service from: California
Missing in Action 01 March 1942, In the Indian Ocean, position 13-45S 106-45E, 430 miles south of Java; near Christmas Island
Officially Declared KIA: 25 November 1945
Awards: Purple Heart
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Roll
31 Oct 1939 USS Rigel: Sea1c James E McGee (3753530) enlisted on 11 October 1939 at Los Angeles. Received on 25 October 1939 from R. S. San Diego, Calif., TD FTT ASTA
14 Nov 1939 USS Henderson sailing from San Diego, Calif to San Pedro, Calif: Sea1c James E McGee (3753530) enlisted on 11 October 1939 at Los Angeles. Received on 13 November 1939 for USS RIGEL FFT ASTA
6 Jan 1940 USS Henderson sailing from Manila, P.I. to Shanghai, China: Sea1c James E McGee (3753530) enlisted on 11 October 1939 at Los Angeles. Transferred 03 January 1940 to the USS Edsail.
30 Sep 1941, 31 Dec 1941 USS Edsail (DD-219): QM2c James E McGee (3753530) enlisted on 11 October 1939. Date first received on board - 06 January 1941.
The USS Edsall (DD-219 was called to action after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. She was known for rescuing survivors of the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse, escorting convoys in Java fleeing south to Australia, and as the first U.S. destroyer to sink a full size enemy submarine in World War II. After rescuing survivors of the USS Langley and transferring them by March 1, 1942, the Edsall headed in a northeasterly direction toward the beleaguered island of Java. Under orders to deliver thirty-two members of the Army Air Forces (AAF) to the southern port of Tjilatjap, she was never seen or heard from again by U.S. forces.
"Low cloud cover on the morning of March 1st help conceal the Edsall's movements as she made her best speed for Tjilatjap however by noon it would have became clear that she was not alone in her operating area. As Japanese recon planes scoured the sea for any sign of Allied forces, lookouts aboard the Edsall would have undoubtedly heard engines overhead throughout the early afternoon. Shortly after 1300hrs, radio operators aboard the Edsall would have received word from the Pecos that she was under air attack from Japanese aircraft, and it's likely Edsall diverted to assist before the Pecos was sunk at 1548hrs. Moments later, the Edsall herself was overflown by a Japanese recon aircraft from the Carrier HIJMS Akagi, whose pilot reported sighting a "Marblehead Class Cruiser" through the breaks in the clouds and reported its course and speed as it steamed roughly 250 miles SSE of Christmas Island. Within minutes of the report, orders were flashed to the commanders of the Japanese Battleships HIJMS Hiei and HIJMS Kirishima and the Heavy Cruisers HIJMS Chikuma and HIJMS Tone to intercept and destroy the American "Cruiser" which was only 30 kilometers away from the Japanese ships. Within ten minutes of receiving the order, lookouts aboard the Battleship Hiei had spotted the Edsall roughly 16 miles away and watched as the American ship quickly broke to the North and made smoke. Moving into battle formation, the four Japanese ships loaded their main batteries and opened fire at 1603hrs.
Owing to radical evasive maneuvering by her Captain and the overzealous Gun Captains aboard the Japanese Battleships and Cruisers, the Edsall was not struck by one of the 1,335 rounds fired at her over the ensuing 52 minutes, despite being hobbled by her still-damaged propulsion system. All Japanese ships ceased fire at 1655hrs and for a moment it may have seemed that the Edsall would be able to attempt an escape, however only minutes later the first of two waves of Japanese Carrier Aircraft were overhead and beginning their attacks. Though her gunners fought valiantly against their airborne attackers, the Edsall was quickly overwhelmed and by 1720hrs she had taken several direct hits and near-misses which had disabled her Port engine and set her superstructure aflame. Now steaming in slow circles and unable to escape, the Edsall was flanked by the Japanese ships and shelled from almost point-blank range by 14, 8 and 6 inch shellfire for a full 10 minutes before a cease fire was ordered. As her surviving crew scrambled to abandon ship, the battered Destroyer struggled to remain afloat for a full ten minutes before giving out. Finally, at 1731hrs on March 1st, 1942, USS Edsall rolled onto her Port side, "showing her red bottom" according to an officer aboard the Japanese battleship Hiei, and disappears into the abyss of the Indian Ocean in clouds of steam and smoke.
http://wikimapia.org/18947960/Wreck-of-USS-Edsall-DD-219
147 crew members go down with the ship including Quartermaster, Second Class, James E. McGee. Eight of her crew were picked up by Japanese cruiser, Chikuma and sent to the prisoner of war camp at Kendari, Celebes, Indonesia, Unfortunately, none came out of alive. Postwar, a group of natives directed Allied searchers to some graves covered with jungle vegetation. The graves were exhumed and five skeletons found, all identified by their ID tags as men from the Edsall, all been beheaded. No one aboard the Edsall survived.
In March 1942 relatives were told their men are MIA. That status was changed 25 November 1945 when relatives were told their men are KIA. It was not until 1952 when the Japanese released their World War II archives that many of the questions about the disappearance of the U.S.S. Edsall were answered.
See: http://www.usshouston.org/images/edsall.pdf
and the book: A Blue Sea of Blood: Deciphering the Mysterious Fate of the USS Edsall by Donald M. Kehn, Jr.'s 2009.
James E. McGee
Quartermaster, Second Class, U.S. Navy; Service # 3753530
Entered the Service from: California
Missing in Action 01 March 1942, In the Indian Ocean, position 13-45S 106-45E, 430 miles south of Java; near Christmas Island
Officially Declared KIA: 25 November 1945
Awards: Purple Heart
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Roll
31 Oct 1939 USS Rigel: Sea1c James E McGee (3753530) enlisted on 11 October 1939 at Los Angeles. Received on 25 October 1939 from R. S. San Diego, Calif., TD FTT ASTA
14 Nov 1939 USS Henderson sailing from San Diego, Calif to San Pedro, Calif: Sea1c James E McGee (3753530) enlisted on 11 October 1939 at Los Angeles. Received on 13 November 1939 for USS RIGEL FFT ASTA
6 Jan 1940 USS Henderson sailing from Manila, P.I. to Shanghai, China: Sea1c James E McGee (3753530) enlisted on 11 October 1939 at Los Angeles. Transferred 03 January 1940 to the USS Edsail.
30 Sep 1941, 31 Dec 1941 USS Edsail (DD-219): QM2c James E McGee (3753530) enlisted on 11 October 1939. Date first received on board - 06 January 1941.
The USS Edsall (DD-219 was called to action after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. She was known for rescuing survivors of the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse, escorting convoys in Java fleeing south to Australia, and as the first U.S. destroyer to sink a full size enemy submarine in World War II. After rescuing survivors of the USS Langley and transferring them by March 1, 1942, the Edsall headed in a northeasterly direction toward the beleaguered island of Java. Under orders to deliver thirty-two members of the Army Air Forces (AAF) to the southern port of Tjilatjap, she was never seen or heard from again by U.S. forces.
"Low cloud cover on the morning of March 1st help conceal the Edsall's movements as she made her best speed for Tjilatjap however by noon it would have became clear that she was not alone in her operating area. As Japanese recon planes scoured the sea for any sign of Allied forces, lookouts aboard the Edsall would have undoubtedly heard engines overhead throughout the early afternoon. Shortly after 1300hrs, radio operators aboard the Edsall would have received word from the Pecos that she was under air attack from Japanese aircraft, and it's likely Edsall diverted to assist before the Pecos was sunk at 1548hrs. Moments later, the Edsall herself was overflown by a Japanese recon aircraft from the Carrier HIJMS Akagi, whose pilot reported sighting a "Marblehead Class Cruiser" through the breaks in the clouds and reported its course and speed as it steamed roughly 250 miles SSE of Christmas Island. Within minutes of the report, orders were flashed to the commanders of the Japanese Battleships HIJMS Hiei and HIJMS Kirishima and the Heavy Cruisers HIJMS Chikuma and HIJMS Tone to intercept and destroy the American "Cruiser" which was only 30 kilometers away from the Japanese ships. Within ten minutes of receiving the order, lookouts aboard the Battleship Hiei had spotted the Edsall roughly 16 miles away and watched as the American ship quickly broke to the North and made smoke. Moving into battle formation, the four Japanese ships loaded their main batteries and opened fire at 1603hrs.
Owing to radical evasive maneuvering by her Captain and the overzealous Gun Captains aboard the Japanese Battleships and Cruisers, the Edsall was not struck by one of the 1,335 rounds fired at her over the ensuing 52 minutes, despite being hobbled by her still-damaged propulsion system. All Japanese ships ceased fire at 1655hrs and for a moment it may have seemed that the Edsall would be able to attempt an escape, however only minutes later the first of two waves of Japanese Carrier Aircraft were overhead and beginning their attacks. Though her gunners fought valiantly against their airborne attackers, the Edsall was quickly overwhelmed and by 1720hrs she had taken several direct hits and near-misses which had disabled her Port engine and set her superstructure aflame. Now steaming in slow circles and unable to escape, the Edsall was flanked by the Japanese ships and shelled from almost point-blank range by 14, 8 and 6 inch shellfire for a full 10 minutes before a cease fire was ordered. As her surviving crew scrambled to abandon ship, the battered Destroyer struggled to remain afloat for a full ten minutes before giving out. Finally, at 1731hrs on March 1st, 1942, USS Edsall rolled onto her Port side, "showing her red bottom" according to an officer aboard the Japanese battleship Hiei, and disappears into the abyss of the Indian Ocean in clouds of steam and smoke.
http://wikimapia.org/18947960/Wreck-of-USS-Edsall-DD-219
147 crew members go down with the ship including Quartermaster, Second Class, James E. McGee. Eight of her crew were picked up by Japanese cruiser, Chikuma and sent to the prisoner of war camp at Kendari, Celebes, Indonesia, Unfortunately, none came out of alive. Postwar, a group of natives directed Allied searchers to some graves covered with jungle vegetation. The graves were exhumed and five skeletons found, all identified by their ID tags as men from the Edsall, all been beheaded. No one aboard the Edsall survived.
In March 1942 relatives were told their men are MIA. That status was changed 25 November 1945 when relatives were told their men are KIA. It was not until 1952 when the Japanese released their World War II archives that many of the questions about the disappearance of the U.S.S. Edsall were answered.
See: http://www.usshouston.org/images/edsall.pdf
and the book: A Blue Sea of Blood: Deciphering the Mysterious Fate of the USS Edsall by Donald M. Kehn, Jr.'s 2009.
Quartermaster, Second Class, U.S. Navy; Service # 3753530
Entered the Service from: California
Missing in Action 01 March 1942, In the Indian Ocean, position 13-45S 106-45E, 430 miles south of Java; near Christmas Island
Officially Declared KIA: 25 November 1945
Awards: Purple Heart
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Roll
31 Oct 1939 USS Rigel: Sea1c James E McGee (3753530) enlisted on 11 October 1939 at Los Angeles. Received on 25 October 1939 from R. S. San Diego, Calif., TD FTT ASTA
14 Nov 1939 USS Henderson sailing from San Diego, Calif to San Pedro, Calif: Sea1c James E McGee (3753530) enlisted on 11 October 1939 at Los Angeles. Received on 13 November 1939 for USS RIGEL FFT ASTA
6 Jan 1940 USS Henderson sailing from Manila, P.I. to Shanghai, China: Sea1c James E McGee (3753530) enlisted on 11 October 1939 at Los Angeles. Transferred 03 January 1940 to the USS Edsail.
30 Sep 1941, 31 Dec 1941 USS Edsail (DD-219): QM2c James E McGee (3753530) enlisted on 11 October 1939. Date first received on board - 06 January 1941.
The USS Edsall (DD-219 was called to action after the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. She was known for rescuing survivors of the HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse, escorting convoys in Java fleeing south to Australia, and as the first U.S. destroyer to sink a full size enemy submarine in World War II. After rescuing survivors of the USS Langley and transferring them by March 1, 1942, the Edsall headed in a northeasterly direction toward the beleaguered island of Java. Under orders to deliver thirty-two members of the Army Air Forces (AAF) to the southern port of Tjilatjap, she was never seen or heard from again by U.S. forces.
"Low cloud cover on the morning of March 1st help conceal the Edsall's movements as she made her best speed for Tjilatjap however by noon it would have became clear that she was not alone in her operating area. As Japanese recon planes scoured the sea for any sign of Allied forces, lookouts aboard the Edsall would have undoubtedly heard engines overhead throughout the early afternoon. Shortly after 1300hrs, radio operators aboard the Edsall would have received word from the Pecos that she was under air attack from Japanese aircraft, and it's likely Edsall diverted to assist before the Pecos was sunk at 1548hrs. Moments later, the Edsall herself was overflown by a Japanese recon aircraft from the Carrier HIJMS Akagi, whose pilot reported sighting a "Marblehead Class Cruiser" through the breaks in the clouds and reported its course and speed as it steamed roughly 250 miles SSE of Christmas Island. Within minutes of the report, orders were flashed to the commanders of the Japanese Battleships HIJMS Hiei and HIJMS Kirishima and the Heavy Cruisers HIJMS Chikuma and HIJMS Tone to intercept and destroy the American "Cruiser" which was only 30 kilometers away from the Japanese ships. Within ten minutes of receiving the order, lookouts aboard the Battleship Hiei had spotted the Edsall roughly 16 miles away and watched as the American ship quickly broke to the North and made smoke. Moving into battle formation, the four Japanese ships loaded their main batteries and opened fire at 1603hrs.
Owing to radical evasive maneuvering by her Captain and the overzealous Gun Captains aboard the Japanese Battleships and Cruisers, the Edsall was not struck by one of the 1,335 rounds fired at her over the ensuing 52 minutes, despite being hobbled by her still-damaged propulsion system. All Japanese ships ceased fire at 1655hrs and for a moment it may have seemed that the Edsall would be able to attempt an escape, however only minutes later the first of two waves of Japanese Carrier Aircraft were overhead and beginning their attacks. Though her gunners fought valiantly against their airborne attackers, the Edsall was quickly overwhelmed and by 1720hrs she had taken several direct hits and near-misses which had disabled her Port engine and set her superstructure aflame. Now steaming in slow circles and unable to escape, the Edsall was flanked by the Japanese ships and shelled from almost point-blank range by 14, 8 and 6 inch shellfire for a full 10 minutes before a cease fire was ordered. As her surviving crew scrambled to abandon ship, the battered Destroyer struggled to remain afloat for a full ten minutes before giving out. Finally, at 1731hrs on March 1st, 1942, USS Edsall rolled onto her Port side, "showing her red bottom" according to an officer aboard the Japanese battleship Hiei, and disappears into the abyss of the Indian Ocean in clouds of steam and smoke.
http://wikimapia.org/18947960/Wreck-of-USS-Edsall-DD-219
147 crew members go down with the ship including Quartermaster, Second Class, James E. McGee. Eight of her crew were picked up by Japanese cruiser, Chikuma and sent to the prisoner of war camp at Kendari, Celebes, Indonesia, Unfortunately, none came out of alive. Postwar, a group of natives directed Allied searchers to some graves covered with jungle vegetation. The graves were exhumed and five skeletons found, all identified by their ID tags as men from the Edsall, all been beheaded. No one aboard the Edsall survived.
In March 1942 relatives were told their men are MIA. That status was changed 25 November 1945 when relatives were told their men are KIA. It was not until 1952 when the Japanese released their World War II archives that many of the questions about the disappearance of the U.S.S. Edsall were answered.
See: http://www.usshouston.org/images/edsall.pdf
and the book: A Blue Sea of Blood: Deciphering the Mysterious Fate of the USS Edsall by Donald M. Kehn, Jr.'s 2009.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from California.
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