Wencel William Kust
PFC Wencel W. Kust 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 285446
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
August 3, 1918
at Pound, WI
Parents
Wenzel Joseph Kust
Mary Rose (Mleziva) Kust
Education
Grammar school
Occupation & Employer
Family farm
Service Life
Entered Service
June 14, 1940
at Chicago, IL
Home Of Record
Pound, WI
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Mary Kust
Military Specialty
Ship’s Detachment
Primary Unit
USS Astoria
Campaigns Served
Coral Sea
Midway
Guadalcanal / Savo Island
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
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Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
PFC Wencel Kust served with the Marine detachment aboard the heavy cruiser USS Astoria in 1942. While his exact duties aboard ship are not currently known, he likely had a battle station at one of the anti-aircraft batteries and participated in action at the battles of the Coral Sea and Midway.
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.
PFC Kustwas last seen at 0215 hours; an eyewitness confirmed him dead, along with Private Charles J. Baxtrom. His remains went down with the ship.
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
Mailing address of mother, Mrs. Mary Kust.
The Kust family farm was on Route 2 outside of Pound.
Location Of Loss
The Astoria sank in Iron Bottom Sound at 1216, 9 August 1942.
This was my Uncle who I never met, yet named my first son, Wencel Tomas after. God Bless the USMC.
This was my Uncle Wencel. He is the namesake of my son, Wencel Tomas. He is forever missed. – Wenzel Kust