The sinking of USS Neches (AO 5) and a PBY

[jdeters79]

While researching family history I discovered a cousin, Fireman 1c Edward Robert O'Malia (1st cousin, 4x removed), who perished in Jan 1942 aboard the USS Neches (AO 5). On 23 Jan 1942, the Neches was steaming to refuel a task force containing the USS Lexington (CV-2), in preparation for a raid on Wake Island. The Neches was proceeding unescorted and was torpedoed by an Imperial Japanese Navy submarine, I-172 (I-72?), under the command of Commander Togami Ichiro.

126 sailors were rescued. 57 were lost (including my cousin). One account suggests that the loss of the Neches resulted in the task force being ordered to return to Pearl Harbor and abort the strike on Wake Island.

http://www.combinedfleet.com/I-172.htm

The rescue operation included a lone PBY Catalina. From the account of survivor R. D. "Bob" White;

After an hour or so a PBY sea plain came into sight. They saw us and dropped a smoke bomb and landed and loaded three injured men into the plain. After leaving us all of their cigarettes, candy bars and taking some pictures of us they took off for Pearl. About noon a destroyer came over the horizon and spotted us with no trouble.

https://www.ibiblio.org/hyperwar/USN/ships/dafs/AO/ao5-sunk.html

So my question to the group, does anyone have knowledge of this PBY operation? It would be interesting to read the associated reports, or see any of the photographs taken.

Thanks,
Jordan

[Scott Rose]

The U.S. Navy fleet oiler USS Neches (AO-5) transiting the Panama Canal, date unknown. US Navy photo.

[Invader26]

Very interesting story. I built a plastic model of from I recall an Aurora kit complete with electric motor.

[jdeters79]

I did find mention of a photograph of the survivors from the PBY in the list of figures in this document (see page 77 of 102);

https://www.history.navy.mil/content/da ... cesMgt.pdf

Unfortunately, the page with the photograph was removed. The good news, they inserted contact information to inquire about the removed pages. Email sent. Will see if they're able/willing to provide this or any other photograph.