Patrol torpedo boat PT-41
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Boat history
PT-41 served as the flagship of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three, which was based in the Philippines from late 1941 to April 1942. The commander of Motor Torpedo Boats Squadron 3 was Lieutenant John D. Bulkeley, who became one of the U.S. Navy's most highly decorated officers. The commander of PT-41 was Ensign George E. Cox, Jr., USNR.
PT-41 evacuated General (later General of the Army) Douglas MacArthur, Mrs. Jean MacArthur, Arthur MacArthur IV (their four-year-old son), Ah Cheu (Arthur's amah), Major General Richard K. Sutherland (United States Army Forces in the Far East Chief of Staff), Captain Herbert J. Ray (USN), Lieutenant Colonel Sidney L. Huff (aide), and Major C.H. Morehouse (medical officer) from Corregidor to Mindanao on 12 March 1942; about the escape he made his famous declaration at Terowie, South Australia: "I came through and I shall return".[1][2]
After MacArthur's party left Mindanao, PT-41, along with the two remaining PT boats of the squadron (PT-34 and PT-35), established a new base of operations at Cagayan de Oro, Mindanao, supporting the American military forces defending Mindanao and the nearby islands from the invading Japanese throughout late March and early April 1942.[3]
After a torpedo attack in concert with Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". on the Script error: No such module "WPSHIPS utilities".Script error: No such module "Check for unknown parameters". on 9 April 1942, PT-41 became the last remaining PT boat of the squadron (PT-34 was sunk in the aftermath of the attack and PT-35 was burned at Cebu). With no more torpedoes available for PT-41 to use, it was commandeered by the United States Army to patrol Lake Lanao, Mindanao. It was destroyed by the Army on 15 April 1942, to prevent its capture while being transported via road to Lake Lanao.[3]
Popular culture
The exploits of PT-41 are portrayed in the 1945 film They Were Expendable directed by John Ford with Robert Montgomery, John Wayne and Donna Reed.
Awards
- Army Distinguished Unit Citation
- American Defense Service Medal with "FLEET" clasp
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one battle star
- World War II Victory Medal
- Philippine Presidential Unit Citation
- Philippine Defense Medal with star
References
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External links
- Elco PT Boat – Photos of an Elco PT boat at the Battleship Cove Naval Museum in Fall River, MA
- Battleship Cove Naval Museum Website – Home of two restored World War II PT boats