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John William Devitt

Field Cook John W. “Jay” Devitt served the Marine detachment aboard the cruiser USS Astoria (CA-34).
He was lost at sea in the battle of Savo Island, off Guadalcanal, on 9 August 1942.

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Branch

Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 292333

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Current Status

Lost At Sea

Pursuit Category

Based on circumstances of loss, this individual is considered permanently non-recoverable.

Capsule History

Pre-War Life

Birth

March 29, 1917
at Sikes, LA

Parents

Martin J. Devitt (d. 1919)
Annie (Crowley) Devitt
latter Annie Smith

Education

Details unknown

Occupation & Employer

Details unknown

Service Life

Entered Service

August 17, 1940
at New Orleans, LA

Home Of Record

Sikes, LA

Next Of Kin

Mother, Mrs. Annie Smith

Military Specialty

Cook

Primary Unit

USS Astoria

Campaigns Served

Coral Sea
Midway
Guadalcanal / Savo Island

Individual Decorations

Purple Heart

Additional Service Details

Loss And Burial

Circumstances Of Loss

Field Cook John Devitt served with the Marine detachment aboard the heavy cruiser USS Astoria in 1942. As the only Marine cook aboard, he was kept busy preparing meals in the detachment’s small galley space. When general quarters sounded, “Jay” likely had a battle station at one of the anti-aircraft batteries.

Astoria provided fire support for the Marine landings at Guadalcanal on 7 August 1942, and remained on station to guard the vulnerable transports offloading supplies. In the early morning hours of 9 August, a Japanese surface fleet slipped into the channel and caught the Allied warships completely by surprise. Astoria roused her crew to battle stations and entered the fray at approximately 0150 hours. The ship fought bravely, but the effects of surprise and superior Japanese night tactics proved too much to overcome. Four Allied cruisers were soon flaming wrecks, and the Japanese withdrew at 0225.

Gunfire damage report for USS Astoria, 1942.

Damage control crews tried valiantly to save the damaged Astoria and managed to keep her afloat for several hours. The cumulative effect of at least 65 hits, numerous fires, and personnel casualties gradually overwhelmed their efforts. Astoria listed and settled by the stern, finally sinking at 1216 hours on 9 August. In all, 219 of her crew perished in the battle of Savo Island.

Field Cook Devitt was lost in the sinking; his exact fate is unknown. He was officially reported as missing after the battle, and declared dead on 10 August 1943.

Burial Information or Disposition

Remains lost at sea; ship considered to be final resing place.

Memorials

Next Of Kin Address

Address of mother, Mrs. Annie Smith.

Location Of Loss

The Astoria sank in Iron Bottom Sound at 1216, 9 August 1942.

Related Profiles

USS Astoria Marines lost at Savo Island
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