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.
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 292333
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.
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
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial
The wreck of the Astoria was discovered in 2015.
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.
Gallery
Photo courtesy of Charles Darron Smith
