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PT 38
Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three







August 1942/February 1943
Lt.(jg) Robert L. Searles
Boat Captain
Ens. Williams E. Kreiner, III
Executive Officer
QM1/c James T. Meadows
Quartermaster
TM1/c Scottie D. Lueckert
Torpedoman
RM1/c Paul L. Stephenson
Radioman
CMM Lorran E. Beed
Engineer
MM1/c Joseph V. Nemec
Engineer
SC3/c Stephen Mehes
Ship's Cook
GM2/c Eldon E. Edwards
Gunnery


27 Aug. 1942
Hoisted aboard USS Lackawanna for transshipment to New Caledonia.
29 Aug.
Underway
2 Sept.
Neptune Ceremonies
18 Sept.
Arrived in Noumea, New Caledonia in outer harbor
30 Sept.
Hoisted off USS Lackawanna.
6 Oct.
Underway for Espiritu Santo under tow of USS Bellatrix, in company with PT 46.
10 Oct.
Arrive at Espiritu Santo, Leave for Tulagi same day under tow of USS Hovey, in company of PT 46.
11 Oct.
Underway on independent power for Tulagi.
12 Oct.
0550 hrs. Arrived at Tulagi.
14 Oct.
0215 hrs. Underway to intercept enemy ships firing on Guadalcanal. 0320 hrs. Fired four torpedoes at enemy cruiser, port aft and starboard forward torpedoes failed to leave tubes. Observed two large explosions forward of the bridge, results undetermined.
16-23 Oct.
In port.
24 Oct.
Patrol, no contact.
25 Oct.
In port.
26 Oct.
Patrol-no contact.
27-28 Oct.
In port.
29 Oct.
Patrol, enemy contact. Not in position to fire torpedoes, retired at 26 knots laying smoke.
30-31 Oct.
Patrol, no contact.
1 Nov.
In port.
2 Nov.
Patrol-no contact.
3 Nov.
Patrol in company with PT 39. Wake sighted, results negative. Collided with PT 46 amidships in officers' quarters, starboard side.
4 Nov.
PT 38 has temporary patch placed below waterline on starboard side and flooded compartments drained.
5 Nov-27 Dec.
Laid up.
27 Dec.
Entered drydock for repairs.
3 Jan. 1943
Hull repairs complete.
11 Jan.
Patrol-no contact.
14 Jan.
Patrol-no contact.
16 Jan.
Patrol-no contact.
20-21 Jan.
Patrol-no contact.
24 Jan.
Patrol-no contact.
27-28 Jan.
Patrol-no contact
29 Jan-2 Feb.
In port.




Copyright © 2002-2013 by Gene Kirkland