PT-350 "Shifty-Fifty"

USN
MTB-25

Crew
15

Armament
2 x 2x50 Cal MG
1 x 20mm
1 x 37mm bow
1 x 40mm stern
4 x Mark37 Torpedoes
4 x Depth Charges
Rocket Launcher

Captain Lt. (jg) Stanley L. Manning USNR
Crew Lt. (jg) Baber N. Howell USNR
Crew MM2C Harry J. Nicholas USNR
Crew RSC William L. Brick USNR
Crew Raymond F. Walk USNR
Crew TM2C Clyde W. Wilder USNR
Crew GM2C Henry G. Westervelt, USNR
Crew MMM1C Howard H. Hemphill USNR
Crew MMM2C Kenneth J Joyce USNR
Crew MM2C Raymond Arthur Rouleau, USRN (KIA)
Crew GM3C Stanley John Janusz USNR (KIA)
Crew S1C William Edward Hirsch USNR (KIA)
Crew SC2C Harold William Connor USRN (WIA)
Crew GM3C William Frederick Reilly USNR (WIA)
Crew MM2C Robert Ambrose Gaynor USNR, member of PT-347 (WIA)
Damaged April 29, 1944 by friendly fire

Ship History
Elco 80.

Wartime History
PT 347 with PT-350 as its 'wingman' were caught three miles from the line of demarcation near Cape Lambert, when it became caught on the reef after a nighttime patrol. PT-350 came to her aid. They made repeated attempts to get off the reef.

The next morning at 0705, two American F4Us from VMF-215 spotted the boats behind the demarcation line, climbed to 6000' and dived on the targets. Major Dill in command later stated: "there was no recognition signals of any kind." From two miles away, both started strafing and then circled once. The two boats tried unsuccessfully to contact the unidentified planes using daytime frequency. PT-347 blinked "S" and "V" with searchlight during the whole attack. Both had US Stars painted on roof and were flying US flag. Crews waved their arms frantically. When the strafing started, Captain williams ordered his boat to return fire, and shot down the wingman: F4U 13307.

The other F4U piloted by Dill returned to Green Island, and ordered an immediate attack on the enemy gunboats. No one aboard PT-347 was hurt, but PT-350 sustained 3 KIA and 3 WIA, and departed the area. PT-347 was dispatched to assist PT-347 still on the reef.

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