I am dedicating this page to memory of my uncle Ray, who I was never fortunate enough to know personally. He was a 2nd Class Petty Officer serving as a fireman and one of many fine young sailors who served aboard the USS Vincennes, CA 44. His service aboard the Vincennes included their protection of the USS Hornet while she launched the Doolittle raiders toward Japan in April, 1942. In May, she saw action as part of the USS Yorktown battle group during the first decisive Pacific battle of World War II, the Battle of Midway. By early August, she had become a key element in the protection of the first major Marine and Navy invasion of the war in the Solomon Islands.
Late on the evening of August 8, 1942 to the north of Guadalcanal Island, in what was later called the Battle of Savo Island, the Vincennes was caught in a deadly crossfire and while she returned the enemy fire decisively, her fate was soon sealed as a number of torpedoes had struck her. Though the crew fought valiantly, by approximately 0250 hrs. on the morning of 9 August, with the ship listing heavily to the port, she rolled over and sank. With over 260 men wounded and most of the crew having abandoned ship, the Vincennes took over 337 sailors and marines with her to the bottom of "Iron Bottom Sound." Along with several other allied ships, notably her sister cruisers the USS Quincy, USS Astoria and RAN Canberra and over 1100 brave souls, this battle signified the worst naval defeat our country has ever suffered in combat. As one surviving officer later noted, the "redeeming feature of the battle was the splendid performance of our officers and men." The Battle of Savo Island truly was "a night in which heroism was commonplace."
With this background in mind and the lyrics and words of the Navy Hymn in my heart and mind, I dedicate this page to the memory of RAY MELVIN COSGROVE, F2C, USN. He was one of the many unsung heroes of that war.
