Today we bid adieu to the USS Chicago. The heavy cruiser was sunk off Rennell Island, situated roughly 200 miles straight south of Guadalcanal, during the afternoon of January 30, 1943. The Chicago was part of a task force that was sent to Guadalcanal due to increased enemy naval activity in the area.
The U.S. Navy had incorrectly assumed that a flurry of recent Japanese movements were the first moves in another offensive action in the area. So Admirals Nimitz and Halsey deployed as large a force as possible. The USS Enterprise (recovering from war wounds sustained near Santa Cruz) was augmented with carrier USS Saratogo. And a bevy of heavy cruisers and destroyers, including the Chicago, was ordered to rendevouz, under the leadership of Admiral Richard Giffen.
In reality, the Japanese were getting their ducks in a row to completely evacuate Guadalcanal. Operation Ke was now underway, and the Imperial Japanese Navy was working to keep the soldiers on the ground safe.
Giffen’s force was attacked in the final hours of January 29th and, despite the cover of darkness, they gave a good account of themselves. But a couple of enemy aircraft shot down near the Chicago silhouetted her against the darkness. Japanese Betty torpedo bombers targeted her, and hit her with two torpedoes, killing the engines and leaving her listing and dead in the water.
Her sister ship USS Louisville began towing the damaged Chicago out of harm’s way (shown above), but she was found again the next afternoon by enemy torpedo planes and hit with four more torpedoes. At this point, she rolled over and sank.
Looking back, the loss of a single cruiser doesn’t seem to be much in light of the reality that the U.S. was just about to wrest its first major chunk of Pacific territory from the enemy. But the naval side of the 7-month struggle had been sprinkled with bad decisions and a tendency to underestimate the enemy’s capability while simultaneously acting with a bit too much self-confidence.
The loss of the Chicago was, in some ways, the proverbial broken record. Admiral Giffen’s push to reach his sector caused him to move his forces in predictable patterns. At one point, he even gave up the standard zig-zag movements. These tactics angered Admiral Nimitz a lot, though he didn’t replace Giffen who, despite his errors off Rennell Island, was a capable Admiral with significant experience.
The sinking of the USS Chicago, and the loss of 62 of its men, left a bitter taste to mingle with the sweet when Guadalcanal was secured a week later.
Impressive battle…but loss of life was terrible and I hope no more wars like WW2 come to earth.
My father was on the U.S.S. Chicago when it went down.
My Grandfather was on that ship. He survived.
My brother, Sgt. W.D. Eads, USMC, was aboard the Chicago when she went down. He was picked up by the Louisville, commandfed by C. Turner Joy, who later became a vice admiral and represented us in the Korean War Talks at Panmunjam. The Loisville then went on to attack Pellilu and Enewitok, where my brother was wounded by Japanexe gunfire.
my grandfather ( John Ewings )was on the uss chicago then went down , after exploding, he got broke leg,,, he told me , he never slept last three day on combat with his use chicago before the ship went down . , i see all three message left there Hal,Becky,Sam Eads,,, I m thankful to them who went them …. cheers (grandson ) john beals
My uncle Rupert Walton died in sick bay on the USS Chicago.
My Grandfather Staff Sgt. Vernon P. Brown was on the Chicago when it was torpedoed. He escaped the ship by floating on debris in the water, all the while Japanese planes kept coming back to shoot the survivors left in the water. Luckily My Grandfather survived. God bless everyone who serves. Thank you all.
Would appreciate any survivors of the Chicago or relatives, emailing me a note to compare info regarding the ship. My brother went down with her. Thanks. nwwalton@yahoo.com
My grandfather James Benton Strain.
my dad, Lt. j.g Kenneth L Shurtleff was fire control officer on the Chicago when she was sunk. It was a miracle that he survived.
Lee Borland
My uncle, Walter Moore, served on the Chicago and was severely injured by shrapnel. He survived but I have lost contact with him.
Ll
my uncle Milo Nelson went down with the Chicago. He was my Mom’s younger brother. I visit his grave every Memorial weekend with my wife, kids, grandkids, and cousins who can attend.
Bruce Swan
bruce.swan@sio.midco.net