NAVAL BATTLE OF SAVO ISLAND
Aug. 9, 1942: The first Japanese cruiser searchlight beams illuminated Vincennes shortly after 0155, the American cruiser opened fire with her main battery at the troublesome lights. Within a minute, however, Japanese shells bracketed the ship and Vincennes shuddered under the impact of Japanese eight-inch armor-piercing shells. With the ship and internal communications disrupted the heavy cruiser reeled under the impact of another group of direct hits. At 0200, Vincennes heeled to starboard in an attempt to evade enemy gunfire, only to be hit by Japanese torpedoes. Having lost power and all steering control five minutes later, Vincennes was dead in the water within minutes. The glare of burning fires attracted additional incoming shells which quickly put the ship’s own guns out of action. Vincennes shuddered to a halt. Hit at least 85 times by 8 and 5 in shells, the ship gradually began to list. 322 crewmen were killed in this action. The battle is considered one of the worst defeats in U.S. naval history, with the loss of 3 cruisers and the Australian heavy cruiser Canberra while several other warships suffered heavy damage.
Gerard Francis Kline was a sailor serving on the USS Vincennes at the time of the Savo Island battle, one of the 322 men killed in action that night.
Included in this group is an original photo of Kline, the telegram to his parents, a letter confirming his death from Frank Knox, Secretary of the Navy and his Oath of Allegiance from the time he joined the Navy.
