Harris Burton Yockey
Private Harris B. Yockey served with the Marine detachment aboard the cruiser USS Vincennes (CA-44).
He was lost at sea in the battle of Savo Island, off Guadalcanal, on 9 August 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 327456
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 19, 1920
at Brazil, IN
Parents
Henry Yockey
Jessie Mae (Donehew) Yockey
Education
High school graduate
Occupation & Employer
Pennsylvania Railroad
Service Life
Entered Service
December 2, 1941
at Indianapolis, IN
Home Of Record
604 South Lambert Street
Brazil, IN
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Mae Yockey
Military Specialty
Marine Detachment
Primary Unit
USS Vincennes
Campaigns Served
Guadalcanal / Savo Island
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Private Harris Yockey reported for duty with the the Marine detachment aboard the USS Vincennes in the early summer of 1942. Shortly after he came aboard, the cruiser departed for the Solomon Islands; Yockey had to work quickly to learn his duties at sea, especially the function of his battle station – likely with one of the five-inch batteries arranged along the ship’s upper deck. His first experience under fire came in the invasion of Guadalcanal on 7 August 1942. After providing fire support for the amphibious landings, Vincennes took up a patrol station screening the vulnerable transports unloading cargo for the Marines ashore.
At 0155 on 9 August, bright searchlights stabbed out of the darkness and illuminated Vincennes. The cruiser let loose a salvo, but was almost immediately bracketed by Japanese shells. In just fifteen minutes, she suffered at least 85 hits from large and medium caliber shells, and at least one torpedo strike. Without power, aflame from stem to stern, Vincennes drifted to a stop and began to list.
Captain Frederick Riefkohl passed the word to abandon ship at 0230; ten minutes later, Vincennes slipped beneath the waves. Of nearly 900 crew, 332 men – among them Private Yockey – died in the battle for Savo Island.
Burial Information or Disposition
Remains lost at sea; ship considered to be final resting place.
Memorials
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
The wreck of the Vincennes was discovered by RV Petrel in 2015.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Mae Yockey.
Location Of Loss
The Vincennes sank in Iron Bottom Sound at approximately 0240 hours.
