January 29, 1945 While loading depth charges at Guadalcanal the cargo ship Serpens AK-97 exploded. Little known stories from World War II are no less important than the great battles. The story of the Serpens is one of those. The ship was manned not by the Navy but by the Coast Guard and had been a valuable asset in the Pacific war. Shuttling needed cargoes from island to island reinforcing with arms and equipment the men fighting the bloody campaigns on the miserable insect infested islands that needed to be won to beat Japan.

The history books record that the explosion of the Serpens took the lives of one hundred and ninety eight U.S. Coast Guardsmen, fifty seven U.S. Army soldiers, a public health service doctor and a soldier on shore who was killed by shrapnel (257 in total). Only two men who were on board the ship when it exploded survived.

While at first it was thought to have been enemy action which caused the explosion it was determined that the explosion was internal and was an "accident intrinsic to the loading process." The disaster was announced to the public by the navy on March 1st. Few details were given, but it was acknowledged that the entire crew had been lost. The commanding officer, Lt. Commander Perry L. Stinson, USCG, was originally listed as missing, but he was ashore at the time of the explosion and survived.

The bodies of those killed were buried at Guadalcanal, but were removed to Arlington National Cemetery in 1949. In 1950 a monument was dedicated over the grave site.

© 2006 Michael W. Pocock
MaritimeQuest.com

USS Serpens AK-97, date and location unknown.

Ables, Edwin A.

Electrician's Mate 2nd Class

USCGR

Aiken III, John G.

Lieutenant

USCGR

Anderson, Roy G.

Pharmacist's Mate 2nd Class

USCGR

Antkowiak, Edwin F.

Coxswain

USCGR

Arndt, Lawrence L.

Corporal

U.S. Army

Aro, Harry E.

Watertender 1st Class

USCG

Ashba, Clifford D.

Apprentice Seaman

USCGR

Auble, George C.

Lieutenant (j.g.)

USCGR

Babcock, Woodward S.

Gunner's Mate 3rd Class

USCGR

Baginski, Walter E.

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

Baillargeon, Charles E.

Technician 5th Grade

U.S. Army

Baker, Edward A.

Machinist's Mate 1st Class

USCG

Barer, Jacob

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Barnhouse, Charles R.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Barrett, Robert J.

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

Barrick, Leland C.

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

Beskosty, Alec

Technician 5th Grade

U.S. Army

Bielinski, Joseph

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Boos, Edwin L.

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

Borton, Jr., Derious

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

Boyd, Billy L.

Storekeeper 1st Class

USCG

Brandlen, Lester L.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

*

Breen, Gerald C.

Fireman 2nd Class

USCGR

Brieschke, Alfred W.

Technician 5th Grade

U.S. Army

*

Brooks, Chester

Steward 2nd Class

USCGR

Broshear, James M.

Quartermaster 3rd Class

USCG

Buchanan, Clarence M.

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

Burke, Leo H.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Burks, Clifton C.

Private

U.S. Army

Burns, Keith D.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Butler, Junior W.

Fireman 1st Class

USCGR

Callahan, Raymond F.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Camarlinghi, Gilbert J.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Cambria, Anthony

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Carey, Louis S.

Seaman 1st Class

USCG

Carmichael, James G.

Technician 5th Grade

U.S. Army

Carr, Charles E.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Cassaris, Peter A.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Catgenova, Pete

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Cervantez, Philip R.

Carpenter's Mate 3rd Class

USCGR

Chadwick, James E.

Machinist's Mate 2nd Class

USCGR

Chambers, Leslie E.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Childs, Fred L.

Staff Sergeant

U.S. Army

*

Ciancio, Frank J.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Cope, Joseph

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Cote, James V.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Cotton, Howard R.

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

Cowhey, William

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Craft, Charles E.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Creech, Lawrence F.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Crook, Lovell R.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Crowe, Ranard M.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Cummings, Arden O.

Machinist's Mate 2nd Class

USCG

Curtis, Albert B.

Fireman 1st Class

USCGR

Dahlberg, Fritze O.

Private

U.S. Army

Daly, John C.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Dancisak, John A.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Davis, James E.

Technician 4th Grade

U.S. Army

Davis, Max E.

Ensign

USCGR

Day, Clarence W.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Day, Howard E.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Dedmon, Jr., John C.

Radarman 3rd Class

USCGR

Deermer, Henry K.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

DeGaetano, Samuel

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Degreve, Robert M.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Derouen, Marvin

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Dickerson, George L.

Steward's Mate 1st Class

USCGR

Diehl, Lee H.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Distel, Harold G.

Fireman 1st Class

USCGR

Dix, Jr., Homer A.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Doherty, William C.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Donato, Edward J.

Carpenter's Mate 3rd Class

USCGR

Donovan, Donald R.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Drago, James

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Dunn, William C.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Durso, Edmund J.

Coxswain

USCGR

Easterday, Robert A.

Motor Machinist's Mate 3c

USCGR

Eckart, Gustave F.

Coxswain

USCGR

Elam, Billy G.

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

Elsasser, Sylvan B.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Faust, Joseph D.

Coxswain

USCGR

Feutz, Richard M.

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

Fidurski, John

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Fletcher, Ira V.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Flowers, Murray C.

Apprentice 1st Class

USCGR

Forkner, Feldon B.

Electrician's Mate 3rd Class

USCGR

Fox, Warren E.

Carpenter's Mate 2nd Class

USCGR

Frank, Glenn B.

Private

U.S. Army

Fregia, Roger W.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

French, Jay F.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Fritz, Ralph C.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Fulda, Lewis L.

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

Furrey, Charles D.

Technician 5th Grade

U.S. Army

Gale, Kayah

Private

U.S. Army

Gallo, Jime

Coxswain

USCGR

Gamsu, Ely

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Garzon, John L.

Fireman 1st Class

USCGR

Gesford, Edward C.

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

Gibson, Mack E.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Gilbert, Fred E.

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

Glaze, Robert L.

Chief Boatswain's Mate

USCG

Goldstein, Sheldon G.

Hospital Apprentice 2c

USCGR

Gonzales, Emelio C.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Goral, John K.

Chief Pay Clerk

USCGR

Graeber, Charles E.

Pharmacist's Mate 3rd Class

USCGR

Granger, Warren J.

Ship's Cook 3rd Class

USCGR

Grant, Jr., Daniel L.

Yeoman 3rd Class

USCGR

Grapenthin, Jr., Floyd

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

Gray, Jean P. D.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Gregory, Freeman

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Gretz, Frank J.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Grisbaum, Stanley R.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Guthridge, Royce F.

Radio Technician 3rd Class

USCGR

Gutierrez, Phillip

Technician 5th Grade

U.S. Army

Guyett, Alan J.

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

Hagemeier, Jr., Elmer P.

Watertender 2nd Class

USCGR

Hagendorn, Jr., Arthur C.

Photographer's Mate 3c

USCGR

Hamilton, Raymond C.

Radarman 3rd Class

USCGR

Hampton, John W.

Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class

USCGR

Harlow, William H.

Fireman 1st Class

USCGR

Harmon, Kenneth H.

Fireman 2nd Class

USCGR

Hart, Donald J.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Hartleib, James

Fireman 1st Class

USCGR

Hartzler, William C.

Machinist's Mate 3rd Class

USCGR

Haskell, Melvin

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Headrick, Perry P.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Helement, Alexander

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

Helsem, Leslie

Motor Machinist's Mate 2c

USCGR

Helton, Herman T.

Private

U.S. Army

Henigan, Felix L.

Fireman 2nd Class

USCGR

Henry, Francis V.

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

Henshaw, George A.

Ship's Cook 2nd Class

USCGR

Herrington, Robert A.

Fireman 1st Class

USCGR

Hickman, Marcus R.

Steward's Mate 3rd Class

USCGR

Higgins, Thomas L.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Hinerman, Nile W.

Corporal

U.S. Army

Hinson, Henry C.

Gunner's Mate 3rd Class

USCGR

Hodge, Robert B.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Hopkins, Robert B.

Technician 5th Grade

U.S. Army

Houchenm Bernard J.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Hoyt, Robert L.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Hubacher, Raymond E.

Quartermaster 3rd Class

USCGR

Hull, Otis D.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Hutchinson, Colon J.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Jacobs, Vernard C.

Motor Machinist's Mate 2c

USCGR

Jaissle, Paul R.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Johnson, Norman A.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Johnson, Richard C.

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

Johnson, Robert J.

Lieutenant (j.g.)

USCGR

Kadilak, Frank

Storekeeper 1st Class

USCGR

Kayler Jr., William G.

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

Kellar, Jr., Milton R.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Keough, Herbert C.

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

Kettunen, Arnold E.

Fireman 1st Class

USCGR

Kiley, Ralph D.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Kolar, Melvin M.

Motor Machinist's Mate 3c

USCGR

Kotkas, William C.

Lieutenant

USCG

Kramer, William J.

Private

U.S. Army

Kreps, Paul F.

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

Krueger, Norbert E.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Kurdilla, Vincent J.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Kusek, Stanley J.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Kyle, Charlie G.

Steward's Mate 1st Class

USCGR

Laird, James E.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Lambert, Walter P.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Lanham, Woodrow

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Latraille, David A.

Private

U.S. Army

Lego, Jr., Nolan R.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Leverentz, Russell C.

Machinist's Mate 3rd Class

USCGR

Levin, Dr. Harry M.

Assistant Surgeon (Civilian)

U.S. Public Health Service

Lewis, David F.

Ship's Cook 3rd Class

USCGR

Limbacher, Jr., Walter J.

Storekeeper 3rd Class

USCGR

MacFarland, Charles T.

Motor Machinist's Mate 3c

USCGR

Mackey, Joseph J.

Coxswain

USCGR

Maddox, Samuel M.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Manke, Albert J.

Coxswain

USCGR

Mark, Guy E.

Technician 5th Grade

U.S. Army

Matney, Curtiss D.

Technician 4th Grade

U.S. Army

May, Nicholas A.

Private

U.S. Army

Mazzanti, Raymond G.

Coxswain

USCGR

McCarter, John H.

Machinist's Mate 3rd Class

USCGR

McCaw, John L.

Watertender 3rd Class

USCGR

McCullough, Jr., William J.

Machinist's Mate 3rd Class

USCGR

*

McDaniel, Charles E.

Private

U.S. Army

McDaniel, Malcolm W.

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

McGrath, Arnold J.

1st Lieutenant

U.S. Army

McGuckin, Jr., Harold M.

Storekeeper 3rd Class

USCGR

McLarty, Lloyd A.

Radioman 2nd Class

USCGR

McMahan, Ted

Sergeant

U.S. Army

Medves, Raymond F.

Private

U.S. Army

Menard, Alvis J.

Machinist's Mate 3rd Class

USCGR

Miller, Madge V.

Steward's Mate 2nd Class

USCGR

Miron, James J.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Moore, Leo E.

Technician 5th Grade

U.S. Army

Morgan, Huie

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

Nivin, William F.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Oaklund, Douglas H.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

O'Donnell, William R.

Coxswain

USCGR

Okichick, Walter L.

Technician 5th Grade

U.S. Army

Orton, George E.

Chief Machinist's Mate

USCGR

Owen, Albert L.

Technician 4th Grade

U.S. Army

Payne, Charles C.

Fireman 1st Class

USCGR

Pazurek, William O.

Signalman 3rd Class

USCGR

Peterson, Lincoln F.

Watertender 3rd Class

USCGR

Prance, Warren C.

Lieutenant (j.g.)

USCGR

Preedom, John J.

Technician 5th Grade

U.S. Army

Qualmann, Frederick E. A.

Steward's Mate 3rd Class

USCGR

Questad, Roy A.

Ensign

USCGR

Reilly, George H.

Technician 5th Grade

U.S. Army

Reuter, Orville F.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Riccardi, Hugo

Motor Machinist's Mate 1c

USCGR

Robeson, Linton J.

Technician 5th Grade

U.S. Army

Royer, Fred O.

Radioman 3rd Class

USCGR

Rudy, Paul

Chief Machinist's Mate

USCGR

Ruggiero, Eugene

Chief Machinist's Mate

USCGR

Ruth, Marcus A.

Technician 5th Grade

U.S. Army

Sampay, Roy A.

Machinist's Mate 3rd Class

USCGR

Sandoval, Alfonso C.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Sarkisoff, Lewis J.

Coxswain

USCGR

Schmook, John P.

Fireman 1st Class

USCGR

Schrader, Charles E.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Selaya, James D.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Seleman, Jr., William H.

Coxswain

USCGR

Shogren, Jacob H.

Ensign

USCGR

Smith, Robert J.

Watertender 3rd Class

USCG

Sneddon, Robert C.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

Sorenson, Robert H.

Machinist's Mate 3rd Class

USCGR

Steinman, Jr., Cyril D.

Radioman 1st Class

USCGR

Stiles, William P.

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

Stillman, Washington E.

Chief Pharmacist's Mate

USCG

Strickland, Myron K.

Radioman 3rd Class

USCGR

Stuckey, Floyd

Coxswain

USCGR

Thomas, Ivan B.

Private

U.S. Army

Thomas, Robert E.

Yeoman 1st Class

USCG

Thornburgh, James R.

Machinist's Mate 1st Class

USCGR

Turner, Hubert

Motor Machinist's Mate 1c

USCGR

Twait, Vernon H.

Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class

USCGR

Vaughan, William W.

Gunner's Mate 2nd Class

USCG

Vedder, Edgar L.

Chief Electrician's Mate

USCGR

Villemont, Samuel E.

Watertender 3rd Class

USCGR

Vincent, Harold L.

Watertender 2nd Class

USCGR

Walko, John F.

Coxswain

USCGR

Ward, Eugene J.

Steward 1st Class

USCG

Wardel, Delon R.

Coxswain

USCGR

Watts, Lawton

Private 1st Class

U.S. Army

West, Kinchion D.

Signalman 2nd Class

USCGR

Wetts, Woodrow H.

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

White, Alton

Seaman 2nd Class

USCGR

Wood, Charles B.

Ship's Cook 1st Class

USCGR

Zaffore, Tom

Seaman 1st Class

USCGR

*

This list contains the names of 250 known casualties (193 Coast Guardsmen,
56 U.S. Army servicemen and 1 civilian). Sources indicate the total number of
men lost was 257. It is possible that the original number is in error. It is also
possible that there are seven names missing from this list.

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