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Joseph Abraham Krohn

Captain Joseph A. Krohn served with Headquarters Company, 2nd Marines.
He was reported missing in action while on duty aboard USS Wasp, 15 September 1942.

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

Branch

Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-6874

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

Current Status

Remains Not Recovered

Pursuit Category

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

Capsule History

Pre-War Life

Birth

January 16, 1918
at St. Louis, MO

Parents

Morris Jacob Krohn
Florence (Schwayder) Krohn

Education

Denver East High School (1936)
University of Denver (1940)

Occupation & Employer

Commissioned from college

Service Life

Entered Service

October 1, 1940
at Denver, CO

Home Of Record

869 Milwaukee Street
Denver, CO

Next Of Kin

Parents, Morris & Florence Krohn

Military Specialty

Liaison Officer

Primary Unit

HQ/2nd Marines

Campaigns Served

Solomon Islands

Individual Decorations

Purple Heart

Additional Service Details

Loss And Burial

Circumstances Of Loss

First Lieutenant Joseph Krohn, an infantry officer serving with Headquarters Company, 2nd Marines, joined the USS Wasp in the summer of 1942. He was to serve temporary duty as a liaison officer during the campaign for the Solomon Islands.

At 1444 hours on 15 September 1942, Wasp was recovering a combat air patrol and preparing to launch a combined fighter-bomber force. Crews busily armed and fueled the planes, while the deck gang spotted the strike force for takeoff. It was an extremely hazardous time aboard a carrier – and unfortunately, the Wasp’s luck ran out. The Japanese submarine I-9 launched a spread of torpedoes at the Wasp and scored three hits near the gasoline tanks and magazine.

The stricken carrier lurched, flinging planes into the air. Fires broke out on multiple decks as gasoline and munitions went up in flames. Water mains broke and hampered firefighting efforts. After thirty minutes of struggle, Captain Forrest Sherman ordered his crew to abandon ship. Wasp was scuttled by friendly torpedoes, and sank at 2100 hours.

Joe Krohn was not seen after the torpedoes struck the Wasp. It is unknown whether he perished in the initial blast or died of wounds received in action; in any case, he was reported missing after the sinking. Krohn was subsequently promoted to captain, and officially declared dead on 16 September 1943.

Burial Information or Disposition

None; remains lost at sea

Next Of Kin Address

Address of parents, Dr. Morris & Florence Krohn.

Location Of Loss

Approximate last known position of USS Wasp.
The wreck location has not been released.

Related Profiles

Marines lost aboard the USS Wasp
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