Today is Memorial Day here in the United States, a day to honor our fallen Soldiers, Marines, Sailors, Airmen and Coast Guardsmen who died in service to our country. We can give thanks and appreciate the sacrifice they made.
It adds an even greater impact when allies and friends honor our war dead, many of whom fell in battle with our friends and allies fighting a common foe. For the United States and Australia, this common bond goes back to the First World War, and was repeated again in the Second World War and since then in places like Korea, Vietnam and the deserts of Southwest Asia.
Earlier this month, at a Battle of the Coral Sea remembrance in Cardwell, Queensland, Australia, citizens there dedicated a plaque at the Coral Sea Battle Memorial Park in honor of the participation of USS Chicago in the battle and the two crewmen she lost to enemy action.
On May 7, 1942, Chicago was part of the Support Group, the former ANZAC Squadron designated Task Force 44, but on temporary duty in Task Force 17 (TF 17, centered on carrier Yorktown (CV-5), flagship of Read Admiral Frank Jack Fletcher). Chicago and the rest of TF 44 was administratively assigned to Task Group 17.3, called the Support Group, commanded by Rear Admiral John G. Crace, Royal Navy.
Early on May 7, the Commander of TF 17 directed the Support Group, commanded by RAdm Crace aboard heavy cruiser HMAS Australia (D.84), to take his ships and establish a blocking position at the exit of the Jomard Passage against any Japanese attempt to advance its invasion force toward the strategic objective of Port Moresby in eastern New Guinea. Along with Chicago and Australia were light cruiser HMAS Hobart (D.63) and three US Navy destroyers, USS Farragut (DD-348), USS Perkins (DD-377) and USS Walke (DD-416).
Enroute to their blocking position, Japanese search aircraft detected the Support Group and reported back to their headquarters. A formation of Imperial Japanese Navy land-based “Rikko” (land attack planes) in the form of torpedo bombers (Mitsubishi G4M Type 1) and land-based horizontal bombers (Mitsubishi G3M Type 96) were directed to attack the ships and did so. In the process the Allied ships dodged all the torpedoes aimed at them, as well as the bombs dropped on them, and shot down several of the low-flying torpedo planes. USS Chicago was strafed by six enemy aircraft which approached to within 70 to 100 yards of the ship and some of her crewmen were wounded, two fatally. Several of the low-level attackers were shot down.
Seaman First Class (S1c) Anthony B. Shirley Jr., service number 295 72 33, entered the service from Georgia and enlisted in the US Navy on August 7, 1940 at Nashville, Tennessee. Shirley was killed when hit in the head by shrapnel from gunfire and died while at his battle station as a gun pointer on anti-aircraft gun No. 5 during the enemy torpedo-bomber attack. Shirley was buried at sea on May 8 and is remembered on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines. S1c Shirley was awarded the Purple Heart for his sacrifice.
Baker Third Class (Bkr3c) Robert E. Reilly, service number 223 79 84, entered the service from New York and enlisted in the U.S. Navy at New York City on August 15, 1940. Reilly was mortally wounded by gunfire to the head during an enemy torpedo-bomber attack on his ship while at his battle station (probably as a lookout) up on the searchlight platform on the mainmast. Reilly died from his wounds the next day and was buried at sea the same day, May 8. He is remembered on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines. Bkr3c Reilly was awarded the Purple Heart for his sacrifice.
Fast forward to 2019, and discussion between the author of this web log and citizens in Cardwell, Australia, who upkeep the Coral Sea Battle Memorial Park. The existing plaque dedicated to USS Chicago at the park was nice, but didn’t mention the names of the two Chicagomen lost in the battle. The remarks were kindly received, and before long citizens there proposed a new plaque to show the names of the fallen sailors.
Further coordination and discussion took place between Cardwell citizens, represented by Ms. Anne Mealing, and the USS Chicago Reunion Association, president Donald Elliot. This cooperation, communication and coordination led to finalization of a design, production of it, a Covid-deferred ceremony in 2020 and then with patience and persistence in May, 2021, a dedication of the plaque in the Coral Sea Battle Memorial Park as part of the annual observance of the battle anniversary.
Although Covid constraints and less than optimum weather may have affected attendance this year, the good news is commemoration organizers were rewarded with a successful event as 200 attendees enjoyed the observation and the dedication of the new USS Chicago plaque.
Distinguished guests included the US Naval Attaché CAPT Matthew Ort, Commanding Officer HMAS Cairns Commander Glenn Williams and Councillor and Mrs. Mark Nolan, Mayor of Cassowary Coast Regional Council.
Chaplain Russell Smith, RAN, said a prayer at the unveiling of the plaque.
And citizens presented wreaths in honor of the fallen from all the ships and units represented in the park. For next year’s observation, the largest Cardwell CSB Memorial Park event yet is planned.
So, it is with a heartfelt appreciation of an ally and friend that USS Chicago-related personnel remember the ship’s fallen this year, and the new memorial plaque in honor of Anthony B. Shirley, Jr. and Robert E. Reilly at the Battle of the Coral Sea. Thank you, Australian shipmates!
For a full listing of the CA-29 USS Chicago crewman who died in performance of their duty during the ship’s 12 years of service, see an earlier posting at: https://wordpress.com/post/gunmoll874518426.wordpress.com/33
Gun Moll of the Pacific 