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» Forum Category: PT Boats of WWII
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» Forum Name: PT Boats - General
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» Topic: Odd questions but I am going to ask anyway!
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My uncle was killed on the 300 boat on 12.18.1944 at 12 degrees 19' North and 121 degrees 05' East. The boat was hit by a kamikaze and reportedly "burned for 8 hours". So my question is, wouldn't the guns and other steel parts of the boat have sunk? Would it be possible to ever dive to that spot and see if anything was left? How would I find out if any dive on the site was ever made? I emailed the pacific wrecks site but never got a response.

Here is my next question - is there a way to find out the name of the kamikaze pilot that hit the 300? I know it is a morbid question, but I would like to know anyway.

Thanks!



Posted By: colleen | Posted on: May 29, 2007 - 11:08am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



Colleen,
I put your coordinates in on Flash Earth and they pointed to a spot just outside a crescent shaped bay south of Manila Bay, I believe. You may have done that already...
Anyway, your question is intriquing. I don't know much about diving except what I see on tv but it appears the water might be shallow enough. The cost might be substantial, however.
As far as the other question, I suggest you contact a Japanese consulate or embassy. They might be able to help. Keep us posted on what you learn.
Marty

Marty Johnson
2nd Generation
PT 168 RON 10
In Memory of LT(JG) Martin A. Johnson

Posted By: Marty Johnson | Posted on: May 30, 2007 - 1:15pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



PT 300 was destroyed in Mangarin Bay in the Philippines. The boat was driven by Ron 16 Commander Almer P. Colvin who tried to turn to avoid a Japanese Kamakazi. The plane smashed into the engine room. I have no other information on file. If the boat sank then guns, torpedoes, engines, and other heavy parts might still be on the bottom. If they did any salvage operations, meaning the boat did not sink, they might have towed the boat to shore. In this case, they would have taken off anything they could have used. No telling if the torpedoes went up, although I would guess they did not. Maybe the Philippine government could help in your attempts to try and locate the wreck and asist in any diving operations. Maybe the Navy Department could help as well. In any event please keep us posted as to your progress.



Posted By: Frank J Andruss Sr | Posted on: May 30, 2007 - 8:24pm
Total Posts: 3497 | Joined: Oct 9, 2006 - 6:09am



COLLEEN;
MANGARIN BAY IS ON THE SOUTHWESTERN TIP OF MINDORO,
P.I. LST-738 WAS LISTED AS SUNK THE SAME DAY AT THE SAME COORDINATES. I'M NOT SURE OF THE DEPTH OF THE WATER THERE. IF, AS YOU SAY, THE BOAT BURNED FOR 8 HRS. , IT WOULD HAVE DRIFTED WITH WIND AND CURRENT. THERE WAS A TYPHOON ON THE EASTERN COAST OF THE PHILLIPINES AT THAT TIME. I'M ALSO NOT SURE THAT THE COORDINATES GIVEN WERE WHERE THE BOAT WAS DEAD IN THE WATER OR WHERE IT SLIPPED BELOW THE SURFACE. THESE ARE POINTS TO CONSIDER WHEN WRECK HUNTING.
STEVE TUHY
2ND. GENERATION
PT 174 RON 10
AGP-5 VARUNA

Steve Tuhy

Posted By: Steve Tuhy | Posted on: May 31, 2007 - 4:22am
Total Posts: 114 | Joined: Oct 17, 2006 - 5:41am



Well those are all good points to ponder. I'm not really thinking of a salvage dive, but wouldn't it be quite the adventure! If only I had a million dollars! I don't know if anything was left to tow - I have only read the description of the attack in "At Close Quarters". I'm not sure if the coordinates are where the attack took place or where the boat sank. Is there a market for items that may have sunk? Are there collectors who be interested in that kind of thing? My uncle's body was returned to the US in 1948. There are not any relatives left who could tell me anything about the entire incident. I have tried in vain to get pictures of the 300 boat. I would just like any information.

I am most curious about the Kamikaze pilot - what would his descendants have to say about his actions? Does that pilot have a niece wondering about the crew that their uncle killed? I think it would be amazing to find out who the pilot was.

I'll let you know if I find out anything!



Posted By: colleen | Posted on: May 31, 2007 - 7:19pm
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



Hi Colleen, I saw your post about the national archives and remembered this post. I have some info about RON16 and what happened to PT300 from the Squadron History compiled by Chief Alfred Piotter. If you are interested send me your email address. You can email me offline if you want. This history also describes in detail the loss of LST 605 and another message board reader, I think his name is Don Webb had an uncle Donald Fuelhart who died on the beach when the ship was attacked and I have some details on that also. Please let me know.
By the way in the Ron16 history it says the plane that hit it was a Val (Jap Dive Bomber) and around 1600 just after the "All Clear" signal was sent out, suddenly several Vals came in and tried bombing the group. One dropped a couple of bombs that missed, then another came in for a dive but turned away under heavy fire. He appeared to be leaving but suddenly heeled over and came directly at PT300. LCDR Colvin gave the PT300 a last second turn to the right. The pilot had apparently anticipated this maneuver, and he swung right with the boat and crashed into the engine room (the middle of the boat) and split the PT300 in half. The stern sank immediately, the bow burned for 8 hours. All but one of her men were killed or wounded. seriously wounding LCDR Colvin. Everett Nussman TM2/c was the only survivor unhurt. He was at the twin .50 cal Machinegun. He kept firing until the plane was almost ready to strike, and then ducked down into the bottom of the gun tub. The explosion caved the turret in on him but he wriggled free and dove overboard. PT222 and others worked to rescue the survivors, and retrieve some of the dead, including MM1/c Brunner and LCDR Colvin.
I can also get the history of every event where PT300 is mentioned up to this event beginning with its delivery to Ron 16B in New Orleans including what ships were used to transport it to the front lines. Let me know if you want this info. Jerry PT658

Jerry Gilmartin

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Sep 19, 2007 - 4:24am
Total Posts: 1469 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm



Here is a photo of a Higgins PT Boat "Little Poison" Will Days list has that as PT210 but the numbers look like a 300 almost to me. Just wondering. Could this be the PT300 getting new center shaft August 44 in Dreger Harbor? Jerry
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/PT_littlepoison.jpg[/image]

Jerry Gilmartin

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Sep 19, 2007 - 4:39am
Total Posts: 1469 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm



Here is a picture of the type of plane that hit the PT300, a Aichi D3A1 Type 99 Dive Bomber
[image]http://i130.photobucket.com/albums/p249/ptboats/val_2.jpg[/image]

Jerry Gilmartin

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Sep 19, 2007 - 4:55am
Total Posts: 1469 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm



That PT photo two posts up is definetly PT-210; I have the original photo and a high resolution scan and the numbers are clear in both.

That photo was taken in middle of 1944 in the Med but I can't get the specific location or date; it was either during the boat's refit in April/May of '44 or after it was shot up during Elba operations, June 16th, 1944.

Grandson of James J Stanton
RON 15 PT-209
RON 23 PT-243


Posted By: newsnerd99 | Posted on: Sep 19, 2007 - 7:55am
Total Posts: | Joined: Unregistered



Thanks! It had me wondering. I appreciate the quick reply.

Jerry Gilmartin

Posted By: Jerry Gilmartin | Posted on: Sep 19, 2007 - 8:17am
Total Posts: 1469 | Joined: Oct 8, 2006 - 11:16pm