His Pearl Harbor Death Was Highly Exaggerated-- Part 10:

James Hamlin was on the USS Chicago at the Battles of the Coral Sea and Guadalcanal in 1942.    Again, he was not hurt when a Japanese torpedo smashed the bow of the Chicago off Savo Island (by Guadalcanal).  And, he escaped death again when the Chicago was sunk by Japanese planes January 29-30, 1943.

He was serving on the USS La Salle, a transport, when it landed Marines at the Battle of Tarawa in November 1943.  He said,  "I remember singing 'I'll Be Home for Christmas' when we put them ashore.  A lot of them didn't make it though."

--GreGen

His Pearl Harbor Death Was Highly Exaggerated-- Part 9: How Hamlin Was Listed As Lost In Action

He was probably wearing this uniform when he joined the crew of the cruiser USS Chicago which had also been in Pearl harbor during the attack.  This ship left to hunt for the Japanese fleet and get a little payback.

Meanwhile, back on the USS California, authorities were unaware he was on the USS Chicago and compiling lists of casualties.  James Hamlin being absent, he was listed as missing and thought to be dead on his ship or in the harbor.

This is why his parents were sent the telegram saying he was lost in action.

--GreGen

The USS John Penn (APA-23)

Then, in 1943, the Penn was transferred to the Pacific and in January sent to Guadalcanal where it picked up 1,003 enlisted and 63 officer survivors from the USS Chicago after it was sunk January 29th. ////It spent the next six months delivering supplies, equipment and men to Guadalcanal. It was later reclassified as HPA-23. //// On August 13tgh, the Penn came under attack by Japanese planes. It shot one down which crashed into the ship's mainmast and minutes later, the ship was hit by a torpedo from another plane and sank in 30 minutes. Thirty-five crew members were rescued by the USS Apc-25. //// Today the ship is a popular dive spot.

Harold T. Berc 1914-2012

From the March 1st Chicago Tribune.

WWII Navy vet, attorney dropped anchor in Chicago: City native helped secure funding for the USS Arizona Memorial.

A Chicago attorney for over 60 years, served in the South Pacific during World War II and as national commander of AMVETS helped to get funding to complete the USS Arizona Memorial at Pearl Harbor.

Died at age 97, February 26th. Born in Chicago and lifelong resident. Law degree from DePaul University in 1937. Opened law practice.

After Pearl Harbor joined Navy and served in reserves after the war until 1953. During the war, served on the battleship USS Washington and the cruiser USS Reno. He received a Bronze Star while a fire director aboard the Reno fighting the fire on the aircraft carrier USS Princeton in the Philippines Oct. 24, 1944.

Participated in ten Naval engagements. From Feb. 1, 1945 until end of the war taught at an officers tactical radar school in Florida.

From 1959 to 1960 he was national commander of the AMVETS and met with President Dwight D. Eisenhower and won support for $250,000 to complete the Arizona Memorial saying the money represented the standard burial allowance for each of the 1,100 sailors killed on the ship.

In the mid-1990s, Mr. Berc played a role in securing the 8-ton anchor from the USS Chicago which is now mounted at the east end of Navy Pier.

Quite a Life. One of the Greatest Generation. --GreGen