|
 |
|
|
| Missing In Action (MIA) | Prisoners Of War (POW) | Unexploded Ordnance (UXO) |
| Chronology | Locations | Aircraft | Ships | Submit Info | How You Can Help | Donate |
|
| USN PT-Boat Elco 80' 56 Tons 80' x 20' 8" x 5' 1 x 40mm 2 x 20mm 1 x 37mm 2 x Twin .50 cal MG 4 x 21" Torpedoes |
Ship History Built by Electric Boat Company (Elco) in Bayonne, NJ. Laid down June 3, 1942. Launched August 26, 1942. Completed September 9, 1942. Assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 7 (MTBS 7). Wartime History During April 1944 transfers to the South West Pacific Area (SWPA) and operated from Kana Kopa PT Boat Base Between June 1943 until August 1943 detached service with Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 19 (MTBS 19) at Thursday Island with PT-127, PT-128, PT-129, PT-130, PT-131 and PT-132. Afterwards, operated from Kiriwina PT Boat Base on Kiriwina Island. During the night of December 15-16, 1942 PT-131 under the command of Lt(jg) Joseph R. Ellicott with PT-133 claimed to shoot down a Japanese four engine flying boat off Gasmata. Next, operated from Aitape PT Boat Base on the north coast of New Guinea. On May 15, 1944 the U.S. Army 32nd Infantry Division requested fire support for an amphibious operation to cover the withdrawal of 400 soldiers near Ulau Mission roughly 25 miles east of Aitape plus Marubian Mission another mile and a half eastward. To aid the Army, PT-131 under the command of Leeson plus PT-149, PT-120, PT-127, PT-132 and PT-142 with two LCT and two LCM proceeded to Ulau and Marubian. At both locations, they laid down covering fire and smoke screens to cover the withdrawal without casualties to the Army despite enemy mortar and small arms fire. On May 28, 1944 during the afternoon, PT-128 and PT-131 departed Aitape PT Boat Base on a patrol mission and received word Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) air crew FLGOFF Raymond A. Graetz wireless/air gunner was behind enemy lines at the mouth of the Danmap River, 35 miles east of Aitape and was located on the beach, injured and unable to swim. Graetz was a crew member from Beaufort A9-571 ditched May 20, 1944 who swam ashore after the rest of his crew was killed then behind enemy lines walked westward to Danmap River. Reaching his location, Lt. William W. Stewart and Ens Gregory J. Azarigian padded to the beach in a rubber raft to rescue him, despite sniper fire from the shore. During the Battle of Surigao Strait, PT-131 under the command of Ens Peter R. Gadd was part of the southern section of the defense in the Mindanao Sea near Camiguin Island and Mindanao and Bohol. At 10:15am roughly 18 miles off Bohol, PT-131 radar detected two targets and approached then divided into five targets that proved to be two battleships, two cruisers and a destroyer. Roughly three miles away, the PT Boats were spotted and came under gunfire that straddled the boats. Laying a smoke screen, the boats withdrew as the enemy illuminated them with star shells and continued fire as the PT Boats escaped. During the night of November 28-29, 1944 PT-127 and PT-131 under the command of Lt(jg) William P. West patrolled Ormoc Bay with both PT Boats fired two torpedoes, PT-127 at an enemy warship and PT-131 at a transport, then withdrew under heavy fire and claimed hits on both targets. On February 15, 1945 transferred to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Twenty One (MTBS 21) under the command of Lt. Carl T. Gleasond. In the Philippines based at Samar Island and Basilan Island but no action from either base. Sinking History On November 10, 1945 stripped and scuttled off Samar Island. References At Close Quarters PT Boats in the United States Navy pages 187, 212, 242, 381-382, 458, 561 (index) NavSource PT-131 (photo) Contribute
Information Last Updated
|
| Discussion Forum | Daily Updates | Reviews | Museums | Interviews & Oral Histories |
|
