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  USS Jarvis (DD-393)
USN
Bagley-class Destroyer

1,500 Tons (Light)
2,325 (Full)
341' 8" x 35' 6" x 12' 10"
4 x 5"/38 cal guns
4 x .50 cal MG
12 x 21" torpedo tubes
2 x depth charge tracks

Click For Enlargement
USN December 1937

Click For Enlargement
USN May 8, 1942
Ship History
Built by Puget Sound Navy Yard in Bremerton. Laid down August 21, 1935 as a Bagley-class destroyer. Launched May 6, 1937 as USS Jarvis (DD-393) named for James C. Jarvis a U.S. Navy midshipman killed at age 13 in 1800 during the Quasi-War with France and was the second ship to bare the name in the Navy sponsored by Mrs Craven, wife of Vice Admiral Thomas T. Craven. Commissioned October 27, 1937 in the U.S. Navy (USN) under the command of LtCdr Robert Raymond Ferguson and undergoes a shakedown cruise and alterations.

On January 4, 1938 departs Puget Sound and patrols off California then via the Panama Canal and patrols the Caribbean Sea until early 1940. On April 1, 1940 departs San Diego and participates in exercises off Hawaii. On April 26, 1940 arrives Pearl Harbor then patrols to Midway Atoll and Johnston Atoll. On February 8, 1941 arrives San Francisco for an overhaul at Mare Island Navy Yard.

On April 17, 1941 returns to Pearl Harbor and joins Destroyer Division Eight (DesDiv 8), Destroyer Squadron Four. On May 21, 1942 placed under the command of LtCd William W. Graham, Jr. During early December 1941 participates in exercises off Maui then returns to Pearl Harbor on December 4, 1941.

Wartime History
On December 7, 1941 Jarvis was moored at berth B6 in Pearl Harbor next to USS Mugford (DD-389). During the Japanese attack first wave, Jarvis returned anti-aircraft fire from her 5" guns and machine guns while getting underway with her gunners claiming four planes shot down and sustained only superficial damage. Later that morning, sortied to patrol and conduct anti-submarine patrol without result.

On December 16, 1941 departs Pearl Harbor with Task Force 14 (TF 14) including USS Saratoga (CV-3) on an abortive relief expedition bound for Wake Island. A week later the force is recalled and returns to Pearl Harbor on December 29, 1941. During January 1942 conducts anti-submarine patrols and screening duties. On February 5, 1942 departs Pearl Harbor escorting a convoy to Brisbane and returns on March 27, 1942. On April 8, 1942 departs for San Francisco for alterations at Mare Island Navy Yard. On May 18, 1942 returns to Pearl Harbor on and five days later departs escorting a convoy via Fiji to Sydney arriving June 18, 1942. Afterwards, conducts an anti-submarine patrol between Australia and New Caledonia.

On July 14, 1942 departs Sydney and five days later arrives Wellington and joins Task Force 62 (TF 62) for rehearsal landings in Fiji until the end of the month. On July 31, 1942 departs Fiji with the U.S. invasion force bound for the Solomon Islands. On August 7, 1942 supports the U.S. landings at Guadalcanal and Tulagi by providing a protective screen for the invasion force.

On August 8, 1942 just before noon, twenty-three G4M1 Betty bombers armed with torpedoes conduct a low level torpedo attack and are targeted by anti-aircraft fire and intercepted by F4F Wildcats. Only nine managed to reach the ships and a few managed to release their torpedoes.

A Betty targeting Jarvis was shot down by anti-aircraft fire but managed to release its torpedo and hit the destroyer in the starboard side causing a 50' long hole in her boiler room near the forward fire room and caused her to stop dead in the water with fourteen dead and seven wounded. Aboard, the crew jettisoned their torpedoes and began fire fighting.

Afterwards, towed by USS Dewey (DD-349) to Lunga Anchorage then northward to Tulagi Harbor to transfer off her wounded and for temporary repairs. The damaged destroyer was ordered to withdraw escorted by USS Hovey (DMS-11) bound for Efaté. With her radio disabled, Jarvis' Captain Lt. Comdr. William W. Graham Jr. was unaware of the order departs alone bound for Sydney in hope of being repaired by USS Dobbin (AD-3).

Sinking History
On August 9, 1942 around midnight departs Tulagi Harbor without an operative radio and only a few operative guns at only 8 knots and proceeds to the southwest between Savo Island and Cape Esperance on Guadalcanal. At 1:34am at the start of the Battle of Savo Island passed within 3,000 yards of the Japanese Navy cruisers and was briefly engaged by gunfire and torpedoes from Yūnagi without sustaining any damage.

At 3:25am refused aid from USS Blue (DD-387). After daybreak, spotted by a scout plane from USS Saratoga (CV-3) trailing oil and down by the bow roughly 40 miles off Guadalcanal. This was the last time the destroyer was seen by U.S. forces.

In the morning, attacked by Japanese planes including D3A Vals and B5N Kates from the 25th Air Flotilla at Rabaul off Cape Esperance. One of the B5N Kates scored a torpedo hit that caused the destroyer to split into two and sink within minutes. The entire crew of 233, including Lt. Commander William W. Graham Jr. went down with the ship.

Awards
For her World War II service, Jarvis earned three battle stars.

Memorials
The entire crew were officially declared dead on July 12, 1945. All earned the Purple Heart, posthumously. All are memorialized at Manila American Cemetery on the tablets of the missing. Posthumously, William W. Graham Jr. was promoted to the rank of Commander. Although her loss was tragic, Jarvis prevented the Japanese planes from attacking U.S. vessels off Guadalcanal preparing to withdraw.

References
Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - USS Jarvis (DD-393)

Naval History and Heritage Command (NHHC) - USS Jarvis, Report of Pearl Harbor Attack December 12, 1941
NavSource - USS Jarvis DD-393
Destroyer History Foundation - "Goldplaters"
Destroyer History Foundation - USS Jarvis DD-393
American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) - William W. Graham, Jr.
FindAGrave - Cdr William Walter Graham (photo, tablets of the missing photo)
Honolulu Star Bulletin "Wife of Navy Officer Thinks He Still Lives" October 13, 1942

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Last Updated
October 7, 2023

 

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