In remembrance of USS Houston (CA-30) and HMAS Perth - 1 March 1942

The following information and correspondence are due in thanks to my buddy Tom Helvig. Am happy to place them here.

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USS Houston Survivors Association and Next Generations letter received with thanks from Bill Lynch, who served as Ensign/Ltjg aboard USS New Jersey from 1953-1956.

Tom

Thomas H. Helvig, CTRCM, USN (Retired- 1975)

Volunteer Writer/Editor The Jerseyman

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My brother Charles Leslie Lynch GM2C, age 23, was a Gun Captain on one of USS Houston's 5-Inch guns and lost his life when the ship was sunk. (March 1, 1942)

Bill Lynch

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Sent: Tuesday, March 1, 2011 6:30:48 PM

Subject: March 1st & Remembering USS HOUSTON (CA-30)

USS HOUSTON Survivors Association

and Next Generations

www.usshouston.org

1 March 2011

Dear USS HOUSTON (CA-30) Family and Friends,

A Commentary:

Remembering What Was Unknown on 1 March, 69 Years Ago

As this day began 69 years ago, the 1,050 crewmen of the heavy cruiser USS HOUSTON (CA-30) and 681 crewmen of the light cruiser HMAS PERTH were fighting for their lives in the darkness against 2 heavy cruisers, 1 light cruiser, 9 destroyers, and several other armed vessels off the west coast of Java.

By the end of this day 69 years ago, and in the days, weeks, and months that followed, no one in America or in Australia knew what had become of these 1,731 total crewmen. Officials in both nations could report only that the two warships had vanished; that their crews were missing. As the number of WWII battles increased in Europe and the Pacific after 1 March 1942, and newspaper, newsreel, and radio reports back then shifted to the latest global news of increasing numbers of dead, missing, and captured allied servicemen, the unknown fate of the crewmen of USS HOUSTON (CA-30) and HMAS PERTH seemed to blend in with all the other unresolved issues generated by a world at war.

Today, of course, the fate of the crewmen of both warships is no longer the mystery that it once was. Americans and Australians may find the stories of USS HOUSTON (CA-30) and HMAS PERTH from a variety of sources, including various books written during the past 69 years.

Still, speaking in relative terms, for the newer generations of both countries the story of these crewmen who fought against overwhelming odds on the First of March 1942 may be as unknown today as their fate was unknown then.

To be “unknown,” however, should not, nor must it be the lasting fate of these two crews.

As we remember what happened to USS HOUSTON (CA-30) and HMAS PERTH on this day 69 years ago, let us also not keep the remembrance to ourselves.

The story of these crewmen deserves to be honored by us and shared with others so that it can be remembered by many more people today, and in the days, weeks, and months to come—in this century and beyond.

Our Association’s annual USS HOUSTON (CA-30) Memorial Service will be held at 2:00 p.m. on 5 March at the USS HOUSTON (CA-30) Monument at Sam Houston Park in Houston, TX. If you are not able to attend, wherever you may be, I hope you will take a moment to: Remember the PERTH and Remember the HOUSTON—and remember to pass the word, too.

Dana

R. Dana Charles

Board Member,

(Son of USS HOUSTON Survivor Bob Charles, USMC)

On behalf of

The Board of Managers:

Sue Papish-Kreutzer (Daughter of USS HOUSTON Survivor Paul Papish, USN)

John Schwarz (Son of USS HOUSTON Survivor Otto Schwarz, USN)

Pam Crispi-Foster (Daughter of USS HOUSTON Survivor Gene Crispi, USN)

Jo Garrett-Klenk (Daughter of USS HOUSTON Survivor Joe Garrett, USN

Jane Stefanek-Matthews (Daughter of USS HOUSTON Survivor John Stefanek, USN)

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Several emails were received today asking for information on USS Houston and HMAS Perth, both lost to enemy action on March 1, 1942. Both of these ships were part of the Asiatic Fleet, which bore the brunt of holding back the Imperial Japanese Navy during the opening days of World War II.

In the 4Q-2006 issue of The Jerseyman (attached to this email), Master Chief Bill Stewart, USN/Retired, a crewman aboard USS Houston, told his story. When USS Houston slipped beneath the waves, Stewart, who was badly burned, watched his ship go down and then swam to shore. He was picked up by the Japanese the next morning and spent the entire war in Japanese prison camps.

Tom

Thomas H. Helvig, CTRCM, USN (Retired- 1975)

Volunteer Writer/Editor The Jerseyman

see attachment

2006-4Q.pdf