USN
Tons
38
Dimensions
80' / 23' / 5'
Speed
41 knots
Armament:
4xTorpedoes
1 x 20mm
2x2 .50 cal
Crew
20
Via Jo Frkovich
Captain Lt. James R. Burk, USNR (KIA)
Crew Ensign Alfred W. Haywood, USNR (KIA strafing)
Crew S1C William Neal Walters USNR (KIA by bomb in water)
Cook Robert West Mills USNR, (KIA, internal wounds)
Torpedo TM2C Raymond Russell Reilly USNR (MIA / KIA)
Gunner GM3C Allen Frederick Walzhauer USNR (MIA / KIA)
Crew S1C Leslie Wilson Wicks USNR (MIA)
Crew Q3C Stanley Wishiewski USNR (MIA / KIA)
Crew Lt. James R. Thompson USNR, C.O. PT Boat Squadron 25 (WIA)
Crew Lt. Eric M. Howitt, RAN Volunteer Reserve (WIA)
Crew GM2C Norman Alfred Nadeau USNR (WIA)
Crew MM2C James Phillip Alkire USNR (WIA)
Crew PM2C James Harold Cheek USNR from USS Hilo (WIA)
Crew Y2C Verle James Wisdom USNR (WIA)
Crew R2C Paul Eugene Whitmore USNR (WIA)
Crew Ensign Gustav Walter Wilde USNR (WIA)
Crew CPM John Frkovich USNR from USS Hilo
Crew MM2C Frank Joseph Burns USNR
Crew MM1C Ollie “J” Talley USNR
Passenger Lt. Col. Petitt (US Army Observer) (KIA strafing)
Sunk April 29, 1944 by friendly fire
Ship History
PT 346 was sent to rescue the friendly fire victims the month before. PT 346 had a mascot, an airdale dog, named 'chopper' who took shrapnel in the face during the April 29, 1944 incident, but survived
Wartime History
PT 346 was dispatched to the aid of PT-347 caught on a reef, three miles from the line of demarcation
and straffed by friendly F4Us. Arriving at the site to assist, they were attacked by friendly aircraft and set afire. One of the Officers who were killed was a Lt. Col. Petitt a U.S. Army observer on PT-346. Many witnessed his head blown off while he clung to a life raft after losing a lung. A total of 9 were KIA or MIA, and 8 WIA aboard this PT Boat.
Relative
Jo Frkovich (relative of John Frkovich)
References
Thanks to Jo Frkovich and Dan Williams for additional information.
MIA
