Action of 12 October 1950
Encyclopedia
The Action of 12 October 1950 was a battle fought during the Korean War
. While conducting Operation Wonsan against sea mines in Wonsan Harbor, a squadron of United States
Navy warships was attacked by North Korea
n Army batteries. During the operation, two American ships struck mines and sank while the remaining vessels and aircraft silenced the enemy guns. The North Koreans fired on adrift American survivors in the water, wounding several men. In addition, the action prompted the United States Navy to begin the construction of hundreds of minesweeper
s for use in the conflict. It also gave the Americans an incentive to take a more aggressive stance by blockading Wonsan.
Bruce Hyatt was leading a force of one destroyer
, USS Endicott
and five minesweepers on a minesweeping patrol off Wonsan. The five minesweepers were the USS Pirate
as flagship
, USS Incredible
, USS Kite
, USS Redhead
and USS Pledge
, all similarly armed and built during World War II
. On the morning of October 12, the formation was steaming in a channel between the islands of Rei-To and Soku-Semu when at 11:12 am, the warships changed course to 258 degrees into unswept waters. The channel is 2000 yards (1,828.8 m) wide and 14 miles (22.5 km) long.
At 11:54 five contact mines were discovered in intervals of 50 yards (45.7 m) and disposed of. Six minutes later at 12:01, a helicopter
from the Endicott reported that there were three lines of mines off Rei-To, Soku-Semu, Koto
and Roto
. The specific position of the mines was not clarified but still the American vessels altered their intended course and headed for the field. Due to the threat of contact, Lieutenant Commander Hyatt ordered his ships to battle stations and the crews to disperse themselves evenly across the ships in order to minimize casualties caused by an explosion. While making the wide turn into the direction of the mines, USS Pirate struck a mine at 12:09 along frame sixty-two on the starboard side. A giant column of water was sent up and at the same time the North Korean shore batteries from Kei-To and Soku-Semu began to shoot shells at the stricken ship. As soon as the communists engaged, the Endicott and the remaining minesweepers returned fire on at least three separate batteries.
Pirate began listing to port at about twenty degrees and when it reached fifteen, Lieutenant
Cornelius E. McMullen ordered the evacuation of his ship. Within four minutes, the Pirate was hit, capsized and sank completely, taking down six enlisted men. Around sixty men went adrift, some in life rafts. At 12:04, just as the minesweeper turned over, the shore batteries resumed their shooting, this time on the sailors in the water. Because of the accurate battery fire, the American ships could not achieve a complete rescue of the survivors for over four hours. Dozens of the adrift men were wounded by shrapnel and one man was killed. Five minutes after the Pirate was hit, the Pledge was engaged in a gunnery duel with one of the batteries. Simultaneously, the Pledge was hit by an artillery
shell and struck a mine. Her commander, Lieutenant Richard O. Young, ordered his men to seal hatches and save the ship but about forty-five minutes later the crew abandoned the vessel and the Pledge was underwater. Five men were killed.
The North Korean shore batteries were eventually silenced after several hours of fighting, enabling the American rescue of the remaining survivors. USS Redhead was heavily damaged in the battle; she received several hits from the batteries while rescuing survivors from both the Pirate and the Pledge. A total of twelve United States Navy sailors were killed in action and at least forty-three were wounded.
for bravery. USS Partidge
was mined off Wonsan on February 2 and became the last American vessel to be destroyed during operations in that area. Sometime in 1952, Lieutenant McMullen received an anonymous package containing the Pirates battle flag and on May 28, 1985 it was donated to the Naval Historical Center
and is on display at the Korean War exhibit.
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
. While conducting Operation Wonsan against sea mines in Wonsan Harbor, a squadron of United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
Navy warships was attacked by North Korea
North Korea
The Democratic People’s Republic of Korea , , is a country in East Asia, occupying the northern half of the Korean Peninsula. Its capital and largest city is Pyongyang. The Korean Demilitarized Zone serves as the buffer zone between North Korea and South Korea...
n Army batteries. During the operation, two American ships struck mines and sank while the remaining vessels and aircraft silenced the enemy guns. The North Koreans fired on adrift American survivors in the water, wounding several men. In addition, the action prompted the United States Navy to begin the construction of hundreds of minesweeper
Minesweeper (ship)
A minesweeper is a small naval warship designed to counter the threat posed by naval mines. Minesweepers generally detect then neutralize mines in advance of other naval operations.-History:...
s for use in the conflict. It also gave the Americans an incentive to take a more aggressive stance by blockading Wonsan.
Action
On October 10, Lieutenant CommanderLieutenant Commander
Lieutenant Commander is a commissioned officer rank in many navies. The rank is superior to a lieutenant and subordinate to a commander...
Bruce Hyatt was leading a force of one destroyer
Destroyer
In naval terminology, a destroyer is a fast and maneuverable yet long-endurance warship intended to escort larger vessels in a fleet, convoy or battle group and defend them against smaller, powerful, short-range attackers. Destroyers, originally called torpedo-boat destroyers in 1892, evolved from...
, USS Endicott
USS Endicott (DD-495)
USS Endicott , a Gleaves-class destroyer, was the only ship of the United States Navy to be named for Samuel Endicott, who served as a quarter gunner on board Enterprise in the Barbary Wars. He volunteered to participate in the expedition under Lieutenant Stephen Decatur, Jr., which destroyed the...
and five minesweepers on a minesweeping patrol off Wonsan. The five minesweepers were the USS Pirate
USS Pirate (AM-275)
USS Pirate was an Admirable-class minesweeper built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was built to clear minefields in offshore waters, and served the Navy in the North Atlantic Ocean and then in the Pacific Ocean. She was returned to active service for the Korean War. During Operation...
as flagship
Flagship
A flagship is a vessel used by the commanding officer of a group of naval ships, reflecting the custom of its commander, characteristically a flag officer, flying a distinguishing flag...
, USS Incredible
USS Incredible (AM-249)
USS Incredible was an Admirable-class minesweeper built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was built to clear minefields in offshore waters, and served the Navy in the North Atlantic Ocean and then in the Pacific Ocean. She returned finished the war with two battle stars to her credit...
, USS Kite
USS Kite (AMS-22)
USS Kite was a built for the United States Navy during World War II.-History:Kite was laid down as YMS-324 on 31 January 1943 by the Weaver Shipyards in Orange, Texas, and launched 17 February 1944. She was completed and commissioned on 31 May 1944 with Lt. Robert A...
, USS Redhead
USS Redhead (AMS-34)
USS Redhead was a built for the United States Navy during World War II. She was the first U.S. Navy ship to be named for the Redhead duck.-History:...
and USS Pledge
USS Pledge (AM-277)
USS Pledge was an Admirable-class minesweeper built for the U.S. Navy during World War II. She was built to clear minefields in offshore waters, and served the Navy in the Atlantic Ocean and then was transferred to the North Pacific Ocean. She survived the world war and was awarded one battle...
, all similarly armed and built during World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
. On the morning of October 12, the formation was steaming in a channel between the islands of Rei-To and Soku-Semu when at 11:12 am, the warships changed course to 258 degrees into unswept waters. The channel is 2000 yards (1,828.8 m) wide and 14 miles (22.5 km) long.
At 11:54 five contact mines were discovered in intervals of 50 yards (45.7 m) and disposed of. Six minutes later at 12:01, a helicopter
Helicopter
A helicopter is a type of rotorcraft in which lift and thrust are supplied by one or more engine-driven rotors. This allows the helicopter to take off and land vertically, to hover, and to fly forwards, backwards, and laterally...
from the Endicott reported that there were three lines of mines off Rei-To, Soku-Semu, Koto
Koto
Koto may refer to:*Koto , a Japanese musical instrument*Koto , a traditional dress made by Creole women in Suriname*Koto , Italian/Dutch synth pop group*Kōtō, Tokyo, a ward in Tokyo, Japan...
and Roto
Roto
Roto or rota is a Chilean term, considered derogatory, which refers to a person of poverty and vulgar habits of urban origin. It is also used contemptuously to refer to inhabitants of Chile, especially in Peru and Bolivia...
. The specific position of the mines was not clarified but still the American vessels altered their intended course and headed for the field. Due to the threat of contact, Lieutenant Commander Hyatt ordered his ships to battle stations and the crews to disperse themselves evenly across the ships in order to minimize casualties caused by an explosion. While making the wide turn into the direction of the mines, USS Pirate struck a mine at 12:09 along frame sixty-two on the starboard side. A giant column of water was sent up and at the same time the North Korean shore batteries from Kei-To and Soku-Semu began to shoot shells at the stricken ship. As soon as the communists engaged, the Endicott and the remaining minesweepers returned fire on at least three separate batteries.
Pirate began listing to port at about twenty degrees and when it reached fifteen, Lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
Cornelius E. McMullen ordered the evacuation of his ship. Within four minutes, the Pirate was hit, capsized and sank completely, taking down six enlisted men. Around sixty men went adrift, some in life rafts. At 12:04, just as the minesweeper turned over, the shore batteries resumed their shooting, this time on the sailors in the water. Because of the accurate battery fire, the American ships could not achieve a complete rescue of the survivors for over four hours. Dozens of the adrift men were wounded by shrapnel and one man was killed. Five minutes after the Pirate was hit, the Pledge was engaged in a gunnery duel with one of the batteries. Simultaneously, the Pledge was hit by an artillery
Artillery
Originally applied to any group of infantry primarily armed with projectile weapons, artillery has over time become limited in meaning to refer only to those engines of war that operate by projection of munitions far beyond the range of effect of personal weapons...
shell and struck a mine. Her commander, Lieutenant Richard O. Young, ordered his men to seal hatches and save the ship but about forty-five minutes later the crew abandoned the vessel and the Pledge was underwater. Five men were killed.
The North Korean shore batteries were eventually silenced after several hours of fighting, enabling the American rescue of the remaining survivors. USS Redhead was heavily damaged in the battle; she received several hits from the batteries while rescuing survivors from both the Pirate and the Pledge. A total of twelve United States Navy sailors were killed in action and at least forty-three were wounded.
Aftermath
Attempts were made to salvage the Pirate but failed so explosives were placed in her wreck and detonated to prevent communist forces from recovering any classified material. Additional aircraft and boats from other nearby warships arrived at the area after the action to help in the rescue operations. The USS Pirate, the Pledge and the Redhead each received the Presidential Unit Citation and their commanders were awarded the Silver StarSilver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
for bravery. USS Partidge
USS Partridge (AMS-31)
USS Partridge was a built for the United States Navy in World War II.-History:Partridge was laid down as YMS-437 on 3 October 1944 by J. M. Martinac Corp., Tacoma, Washington; launched 22 April 1945; and commissioned 25 July 1945, Lt. Gilbert Q. McKinley, USNR, in command.Upon fitting out,...
was mined off Wonsan on February 2 and became the last American vessel to be destroyed during operations in that area. Sometime in 1952, Lieutenant McMullen received an anonymous package containing the Pirates battle flag and on May 28, 1985 it was donated to the Naval Historical Center
Naval Historical Center
The Naval History & Heritage Command is the official history program of the United States Navy and is located at the historic Washington Navy Yard in the District of Columbia.-Mission :...
and is on display at the Korean War exhibit.