My Father Walter "Woody" Ketchum served in the Solomons on Helena. "The Fightenest Ship." He and his shipmates were brave and well trained sailors. My Dad and other Helena survivors were aided by local natives who hid them ashore until they could be rescued. To say I am proud of my Fathers service aboard the Helena is a gross understatement.
I was able to find a copy of that book, "The Fightin'est Ship." I think it was on Amazon. Helena is my favorite Navy ship from World War II. Have you read "Sunk In Kula Gulf" by John Domalgaski? A must-read for all Helena fans. Since your father was one of the 165 survivors rescued from Vella Lavella island, did he talk much about the experience?
Your father and his shipmates (and all sailors in that early period of the pacific war) were hero’s of the highest levels. They threw themselves into the fight against a strong and powerful opponent in the Japanese navy and didnt hesitate or falter when charging into the battle. I became a friend of a sailor (in the 1980’s) who served on Saratoga from 1942 to the end of the war. And he would tell me of the courage and aggressiveness of the “Cruisers” who ripped the Japanese ships apart to protect the carriers! He called them the “brothers” of the fleet the destroyers as the “baby brothers” and the battleships as the ‘Slow older uncles” of the fleet. He credits the “tin cans” and the “cruisers” with keeping his ship safe and they allowed his ship to survive the entire war while others sunk all around them!
Thank you very much for this excellent video about the USS Helena. My shop teacher in Junior High served on the Helena. He was at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked and was also on it the night it was sunk. I will always remember him telling about floating in the water awaiting rescue and watching ship mates being pulled under by sharks. He and others that served will always be my hero!
Thank you and God bless that man and his shipmates...I couldn't imagine going through any of that at what 18, 20, 21 or so. Just an incredible crew and a legendary ship. I'm just amazed at the stories I uncover or hear about these guys when I start digging more and researching, along with the stories my viewers tell. Everyday when I walk outside my house and see that flag flying I thank them and say a little prayer. And it's not just them, but all our servicemen from all the branches that have given so, so much so that I can sit here and enjoy my life.
@@CollateralcoffeeThe purpose of a soldier is to defend those who can‘t defend themselves (Which by the way, judging by your rethoric, includes you). In case of a conflict if it comes to violence, a soldier will do what it necessary to remove the threat, always with the purpose of preventing worse tragedies. Do not mistake soldiers for warriors or killers, unlike the latter, they have no desire for violence, bloodthirst has no place in a reputable military.
@@CollateralcoffeeOn the slight chance you aren't just trolling, I'll entertain your post. Most people who serve aren't there to fulfill some obscene lust for violence and death, they're signing up to put their lives on the line to protect the people and ideals of their home. To paraphrase an oft used saying, They risked their lives, and many gave their lives, so you could have the freedom to have and share the opinion you expressed in your post without legal repercussions. It should also be considered that there was a draft during WWII (not exclusive to that war, it's been used before and since) meaning that his shop teacher quite likely had no choice in his service other than choosing army of navy.
0:06 My father served aboard the Helena. He was the youngest Chief Machinist Mate in the navy. He never spoke about the war. He lent me his book “The Fightenist’ Ship in the Navy.’ When I returned the book to him I asked him where he wound up after she was sunk. He told me swam to one of the islands along with other survivors where they were cared for by the natives of that island. He told me that one of the natives had feet “this long” indicating the length of the feet with his hands. Daddy was assigned to the engine rooms. When the Helena was took hits in both engine rooms at different times, he was always in the opposite room. Had he not been, I wouldn’t be here. I have a picture of him in his dress blues. His chest was covered with campaign medals. I never knew any of the story in your video. Thank you for posting it. My son found it and sent it to me.
I hope your father is resting well in heaven with his friends as young as they were when they passed and I thank your family for what its men have given up for us.
My grandfather Ernest L. Stewart was on the ship during Pearl Harbor and when she was sunk. I remember him telling me about setting up the chairs on the deck for Sunday mass and talking crap with one of his ship mates about what kind of airplanes were the Japanese not knowing who they were. I have a huge painting of 9:50 mark on the video that hung in my grandpas house. Which wrote below the painting- Dedicated to the eight officers, 186 enlisted men and four marines who made the ultimate sacrifice in the battle with Japanese Naval forces at Kula Gulf the night of July 6, 1943. He later on became the captain of the Rombach DE-364. He ultimately passed from cancer in 97. May he rest in peace CDR Ernest Lloyd Stewart ❤
The USS Helena & USS St.Louis, sister ships, fought with gallantry and courage throughout the war. My father was stationed on the St.Louis from 1939-1945. He said there was always a friendly rivalry between the two ships, but there was also deep respect between the crews.
Exciting and informative episode! My wife’s uncle, John Ewing, from Wheeling, Missouri, was on the USS Chicago, CA-29, when she was sunk in January of 1943 at the Battle of Rennell Island. The US Navy needed every available seaman at that time. After a few days in the hospital, Seaman Ewing was assigned to the Helena. Within seven months, Seaman Ewing was sunk twice. Luckily, he survived the war.
Iron Ships and Men of Boron Steel. Dang. No words can relate how brave they were but this is the best I got: "When we NEEDED them they were Good Muffuggas, and not a crybaby in the bunch."
As the son of a WWII Navy veteran I was glad to read your comment! In football season and in peace time I appreciate interservice rivalries. But in times like these I value even more interservice collaboration and mutual support. We have seen how inept and incompetent rivalry and corruption has made our potential adversaries in the CCCP and Putin's RuZZia. We will need the best from all our service men and women working together -- with the support of all America's citizens -- if we are called upon to defend our liberties and way of life again. May God bless you, and thank you for your service!
My dad was on the USS Gwin DD433. The Gwin was one of the ships that went island hopping during daylight to find the Helena survivors that the island natives were hiding. He told me stories of the guys when they were rescued, they were so happy they were all hugging each other. Sadly the Gwin met her fate a week later, July 13, in the second battle of Kula gulf. I keep the stories of the Helena and Gwin alive, repeating the ones that my dad told me to my kids and I tell them to never forget. Those were fearless people that got the job done. I'm so proud of my dad and all the other men and women who put their lives on the line so we can enjoy our freedom.
My Dad, George Yellak was Ships Company (original crew) when it was built at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, he was on the Helena for the Commissioning, Shakedown cruise to South America where he and some of his shipmates boarded the scuttled Graf Spee , the Pearl Harbor attack, every engagement, and its final battle in Kula Gulf where he was picked up in the water by the USS Nicholas! He was a Fire Controlman (rangefinder) FC/2.
In the U.S. Navy commissioning crews are most commonly known as "Plank Owners." "Ship's company" is a more generic term used to describe crew that is permanently assigned to a vessel, sometimes referred to as the ship's "complement."
@@qtrfoilHe was a Plank owner, you are correct, he was assigned to the ship before commissioning. He met my mother in Central Park while on Liberty in 1939!
Around the year 2000, I found the after-action reports by Helena's captain and chief gunnery officer from Pearl Harbor on the web. I don't remember where I found them but they are worth hunting for and reading. Both noted the extreme competence of the crew, how damage control parties automatically did what was needed without orders and would request more duties from the nearest officer when they completed a task, while others formed human chains to pass ammo to the A.A. guns. There was a 5-inch crew on board Oglala. When that ship sank, the gun crew swam to Helena, climbed aboard, found an officer and requested duty. Both of the reporting officers said if they were to recommend decorations, they would have to name every single member of the crew whom they observed that day. This was all a credit to her captain and officers, who had thoroughly drilled the crew in damage control procedures, and to the crew who had absorbed and applied that training.
At 69 I remember as a kid my late brother had a nice model of the Helena but I didn't know much about this ship. Certainly not the nicest looking ship but has a great service record. Thanks for preserving her in history and her awesome brave crew. May God Bless America. NCSWIC.
Thank you for your teachings on these wonderful ships & men. Any WWII history is not only enjoyable but essential. Thank you again. Bless our Vets 🇺🇸🇺🇸
My wife's grandfather Edwin Deuel served on the Helena, and was on it when it was sunk. We still have the US dollar bill and the Aussie five pound note that he had in his pockets as he floated in the water waiting to be rescued. Both are cover in oil.
RIP for the ship and his bravery Crew . Respeckt and salut from Germany .I served German Navy in the Early 70th and Build a Modell from Helena in my Freetime in the Barracks and spent is as a gift for my Staffsargen if he Left Service couse he love the History of the Helena and her Sister......
Sailors under battle stress learn and become more capable in the chaos. These super men responded as though they were acostom to these horrors from the standing start of peacetime. Incredible greatest generation.
My father was on Helena during the South America cruise. Transferred to Oglala (CM4) sometime before Pearl. I was privileged to meet some of the Helena crew at a reunion dinner in DFW in the early 1990's. Even after 50 years, those guys were tightly knitted together.
My Uncles Charles and Ernest Kelley were stewards on Helena. They both survived both Pearl Harbor and Kula Gulf. Unfortunately, they have both joined their shipmate in the sky. They were good people. I celebrate their Heroism.
The Navy…. Months and years of boredom. Then 15 minutes of terror The Solomon’s campaign is amazing. Both the IJN and USN working very far from home at the end of very long logistical tails
My Uncle August, was in that Batttle battle called "Iron bottom bay" while on the USS Astoria, a Heavy crucer, which was sunk, and He survived to the end of the war, and retired
All the "Brooklyn" and "Cleveland" class light cruisers had the 6" Mk.16 L/47 gun. Most "Cleveland" class cruisers could fire 135lbs APHEBCPC rounds, while the "Brooklyn" class used the 105lbs round. The 6" Mk.16 gun used a sliding breech block and brass cartridge cases instead of the screw breech and powder bags of earlier and the Mk.17 guns in the "Erie" class protected gunboats. This was the fastest firing light cruiser gun of WW2, able to sustain ten rounds a minute per gun for a limited time. The only problem was that the large number of projectiles were hard to spot so that corrections to the input data to the fire control computer (rangekeeper) could be made and without flameless powder, the cruiser looked like it was on fire, giving Japanese cruisers and destroyers armed with the Type 93 61cm oxygen-fueled torpedo, which at high-speed setting (50-51 knots) outranged the gun by around 5,000 yards.
The St. Louis class consisted of two ships and is actually a sub-class of the Brooklyn class. I've normally heard all 9 ships of the Brooklyn class referred to as "machine gun cruisers", as all had similar armaments and fire-power. What set the St. Louis class apart was improved mechanics, including sturdier boilers.
I love how you explain everything in great detail! Wow. The USS Helena was indeed one very badass Cruiser!! ❤ I did know about her being nicknamed, "the machinegun Cruiser" I love that nickname! I enjoy watching your videos because every single one of them is informative and accurate! You always do an excellent job! So Thank you!! 😊
Just discovered your Channel, thank you for your excellent insightful Post ! Looking forward to more posts especially if any Australian content . A significant amount of Operations were conducted with American and Australian Destroyers with the welcome Light Cruiser occasionally . Thanks again and I will see what you have already Posted .
Like Fox Company, 7th Marines holding the Toktong Pass at the Chosin Reservoir, these brave sailors on this magnificent ship probably changed the course of the war. I hope they found some solace in their loss & grief knowing this.
I suggest there is something in the soil around Helena, Montana that nutures the local warrior spirit. Post Civil War, its best beneficiaries were mostly Southern veterans of that terrible war seeking out a fresh start raising cattle & horses. Elmer Keith, a renowned handgun hunter, (creator of the 44 Remington Magnum)was firstly inspired by these expert sixgun, ex-rebel cavalrymen, regarding the American revolver. During the years of WW2, this area of Montana became the training grounds for the joint American-Canadian elite commando unit, First Special Service Force that distinguished itself in mountainous Italy. So, its kind of fitting USS Helena was nicknamed The Machine Gun Cruiser!
I am eternally grateful for the fine ships and the fine sea Fighters that crude and fought them,I remember my mother who was born during that time period I was told her name Helen , she was called Ellen was named for family friends that served a board that Mighty worship!❤😂😊
My mother's cousin Electrician Mate 2nd Class Richard Dobbins was killed aboard on December 7, 1941. His brother, Seaman 1st Class Albert Dobbins served aboard the destroyer USS Hammon and was mortally wounded while trying to rig a tow aboard the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown during the Battle of Midway.
One of the Japanese destroyers on Nov. 13 was captained by Tameichi Hara, who wrote in his book that he made a mistake by turning on his searchlight and getting raked by Helena and probably Juneau.
Sadly our public schools have failed generations of Americans when it comes to many basics in education such as history. I'm glad you were able to find this here, and glad I found it too!
Sounds like she was a rare beast. I've seen no other cruiser with 15 main guns. That in itself would have made her a serious threat despite not having heavier guns.
Brooklyn's, St Louis and Helena all had 15 main battery guns, as well as the Japanese Mogami class. In fact, our cruisers were armed with 15 guns in a response to the Mogami class.
That was probably the Baltimore class heavy cruiser USS Helena released by Revell. There has not been any plastic kits of the light cruiser USS Helena nor of the Brooklyn class ships but several resin kits have been released.
There is a rare out of print book about the destroyer DD-435. USS Grayson. Written by the captain, when he was the captain of ship. My dad was on the ship for 9 mo at the same time. Mostly around the slot and Guadalcanal. I never got to hear anything about his life as he was murdered day after Christmas 1959. But, I did get to meet some of the men that served with him. Went to 3 get together with them. First time in Seattle, then Washington D.C. , then Fredericksburg , Texas, where the Nimitz Hotel is and a war memorial. Grayson had 13 battle stars, major engagements. Dad was later transferred troop ship I believe. He had his own little boat that he used to get to boats that had broke down and whatever. He would get em running if possible. At Okinawa battle. He was QM 2nd. That’s on his headstone. There were several vets that new him pretty well in the day. 1 old shipmate tried finding him couple years after he had died. He was very shook up that his war buddy died in a damn gas station robbery. Crooks got $10 and shot my dad point blank 3 times. I will eventually die of a broken heart. 74 now. God Bless the men and women that fight for freedom.
There is a large scale model of the Helena in the lobby of the main administration building at Naval Training Center, Great Lakes,IL. While stationed up there I would check it out every chance I got. The details on it is amazing.
Is the portside view of the USS Helena (11:23 - 11:53) firing a broadside during a night engagement a painting or a photograph? If it's a painting, what's its title and are prints available?
The USN was fortunate to have excellent captains on their cruisers during WW 2. They were very competent and willing to fight. The allies were very ignorant to the power of the Type 93 torpedo for much of the war, including the Solomons campaign, when many ships were sunk or severely damaged. Yet the allies went toe to toe with the IJN during these brutal night engagements with the utmost bravery. The Japanese sailors were extremely well trained and aggressive, which is why these battles were so fierce. It took the USN a while to figure out how to use their radars effectively as well as get their torpedoes working!
I hope you don’t mind but the Helena and Saint Louis were improvements of the earlier Brooklyn class light cruisers. The Brooklyns had eight 5” 25 cal AA guns in single open mounts and the rear superstructure and mast were positioned further aft. As mentioned in the video, the Helena and her sister had eight 5” 38 cal AA guns in twin turrets. They were slightly different in shape with the later turrets used in battleships, cruisers and Sumner and Gearing destroyers. The aft superstructure and mast were moved forward to present less interference for AA firing arcs. Thank you.
As a Navy vetand someone who just loves learning WWII Pacific theater history thank you. I pray all the sacrifice of their's and the others of all our freedom fights remains Red White and Blue and not orange. Or It'll all have been wasted.
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My Father Walter "Woody" Ketchum served in the Solomons on Helena. "The Fightenest Ship." He and his shipmates were brave and well trained sailors. My Dad and other Helena survivors were aided by local natives who hid them ashore until they could be rescued. To say I am proud of my Fathers service aboard the Helena is a gross understatement.
I am proud of your dad too, and all of his shipmates!
Tell him Thank you
Tell your father thank you
I was able to find a copy of that book, "The Fightin'est Ship." I think it was on Amazon. Helena is my favorite Navy ship from World War II. Have you read "Sunk In Kula Gulf" by John Domalgaski? A must-read for all Helena fans. Since your father was one of the 165 survivors rescued from Vella Lavella island, did he talk much about the experience?
Your father and his shipmates (and all sailors in that early period of the pacific war) were hero’s of the highest levels. They threw themselves into the fight against a strong and powerful opponent in the Japanese navy and didnt hesitate or falter when charging into the battle. I became a friend of a sailor (in the 1980’s) who served on Saratoga from 1942 to the end of the war. And he would tell me of the courage and aggressiveness of the “Cruisers” who ripped the Japanese ships apart to protect the carriers! He called them the “brothers” of the fleet the destroyers as the “baby brothers” and the battleships as the ‘Slow older uncles” of the fleet. He credits the “tin cans” and the “cruisers” with keeping his ship safe and they allowed his ship to survive the entire war while others sunk all around them!
Thank you very much for this excellent video about the USS Helena. My shop teacher in Junior High served on the Helena. He was at Pearl Harbor when it was attacked and was also on it the night it was sunk. I will always remember him telling about floating in the water awaiting rescue and watching ship mates being pulled under by sharks. He and others that served will always be my hero!
Thank you and God bless that man and his shipmates...I couldn't imagine going through any of that at what 18, 20, 21 or so. Just an incredible crew and a legendary ship. I'm just amazed at the stories I uncover or hear about these guys when I start digging more and researching, along with the stories my viewers tell. Everyday when I walk outside my house and see that flag flying I thank them and say a little prayer. And it's not just them, but all our servicemen from all the branches that have given so, so much so that I can sit here and enjoy my life.
Never understood how someone could call a soldier, who kills people, a hero. That is the worst nonsense I have ever heard.
@@CollateralcoffeeThe purpose of a soldier is to defend those who can‘t defend themselves (Which by the way, judging by your rethoric, includes you). In case of a conflict if it comes to violence, a soldier will do what it necessary to remove the threat, always with the purpose of preventing worse tragedies. Do not mistake soldiers for warriors or killers, unlike the latter, they have no desire for violence, bloodthirst has no place in a reputable military.
@@CollateralcoffeeOn the slight chance you aren't just trolling, I'll entertain your post. Most people who serve aren't there to fulfill some obscene lust for violence and death, they're signing up to put their lives on the line to protect the people and ideals of their home. To paraphrase an oft used saying, They risked their lives, and many gave their lives, so you could have the freedom to have and share the opinion you expressed in your post without legal repercussions. It should also be considered that there was a draft during WWII (not exclusive to that war, it's been used before and since) meaning that his shop teacher quite likely had no choice in his service other than choosing army of navy.
@@Random_Banshee Thank you so much for defending the honor of those who have defended our liberty.
0:06 My father served aboard the Helena. He was the youngest Chief Machinist Mate in the navy. He never spoke about the war. He lent me his book “The Fightenist’ Ship in the Navy.’ When I returned the book to him I asked him where he wound up after she was sunk. He told me swam to one of the islands along with other survivors where they were cared for by the natives of that island. He told me that one of the natives had feet “this long” indicating the length of the feet with his hands. Daddy was assigned to the engine rooms. When the Helena was took hits in both engine rooms at different times, he was always in the opposite room. Had he not been, I wouldn’t be here. I have a picture of him in his dress blues. His chest was covered with campaign medals. I never knew any of the story in your video. Thank you for posting it. My son found it and sent it to me.
I hope your father is resting well in heaven with his friends as young as they were when they passed and I thank your family for what its men have given up for us.
If you haven't already, I highly recommend reading "Sunk In Kula Gulf" by John Domalgaski. The story of the USS Helena's sinking and the aftermath.
My daddy was on the Helena when it was sunk.
my dad had the same island experience as your father- i wonder if they were in the same group
My grandfather Ernest L. Stewart was on the ship during Pearl Harbor and when she was sunk. I remember him telling me about setting up the chairs on the deck for Sunday mass and talking crap with one of his ship mates about what kind of airplanes were the Japanese not knowing who they were. I have a huge painting of 9:50 mark on the video that hung in my grandpas house. Which wrote below the painting- Dedicated to the eight officers, 186 enlisted men and four marines who made the ultimate sacrifice in the battle with Japanese Naval forces at Kula Gulf the night of July 6, 1943. He later on became the captain of the Rombach DE-364. He ultimately passed from cancer in 97. May he rest in peace CDR Ernest Lloyd Stewart ❤
@mac10dre thank you for sharing
The USS Helena & USS St.Louis, sister ships, fought with gallantry and courage throughout the war. My father was stationed on the St.Louis from 1939-1945. He said there was always a friendly rivalry between the two ships, but there was also deep respect between the crews.
My grandfather was on the St Louis
My great uncle was on the St Louis before and during the war, including Pearl Harbor.
My grandfather was one of the wounded during the kamikaze attack in the Phillipines
Exciting and informative episode!
My wife’s uncle, John Ewing, from Wheeling, Missouri, was on the USS Chicago, CA-29, when she was sunk in January of 1943 at the Battle of Rennell Island.
The US Navy needed every available seaman at that time. After a few days in the hospital, Seaman Ewing was assigned to the Helena. Within seven months, Seaman Ewing was sunk twice. Luckily, he survived the war.
Iron Ships and Men of Boron Steel. Dang. No words can relate how brave they were but this is the best I got:
"When we NEEDED them they were Good Muffuggas, and not a crybaby in the bunch."
Incredible and I'm glad to call him my shipmate!
I think after surviving those ordeals, the power above gave to him a 30-year overlife.
What a real bad ass is. What a mean woman this USS Helena, and HER crew. From a member of the 101st Airborne Div. ..GO NAVY!!!!
As the son of a WWII Navy veteran I was glad to read your comment! In football season and in peace time I appreciate interservice rivalries. But in times like these I value even more interservice collaboration and mutual support. We have seen how inept and incompetent rivalry and corruption has made our potential adversaries in the CCCP and Putin's RuZZia. We will need the best from all our service men and women working together -- with the support of all America's citizens -- if we are called upon to defend our liberties and way of life again. May God bless you, and thank you for your service!
An unsung hero of the Pacific Theatre. God bless all those who served and/or died aboard the Helena. Rest in peace, brave souls.
My uncle ,Edward Uhlig, from San Antonio, was on the Helena during the Pearl Harbor attack. He died from burns he sustained during the attack.
His shipmates certainly avenged his death , and then some! She was a fine ship with an outstanding crew and did her duty and beyond.
God bless him. I thank him for his service and sacrifice, as well as your family.
God love you your family and your uncle❤😊😊😊
My dad was on the USS Gwin DD433. The Gwin was one of the ships that went island hopping during daylight to find the Helena survivors that the island natives were hiding. He told me stories of the guys when they were rescued, they were so happy they were all hugging each other. Sadly the Gwin met her fate a week later, July 13, in the second battle of Kula gulf. I keep the stories of the Helena and Gwin alive, repeating the ones that my dad told me to my kids and I tell them to never forget. Those were fearless people that got the job done. I'm so proud of my dad and all the other men and women who put their lives on the line so we can enjoy our freedom.
My Dad, George Yellak was Ships Company (original crew) when it was built at the Brooklyn Navy Yard, he was on the Helena for the Commissioning, Shakedown cruise to South America where he and some of his shipmates boarded the scuttled Graf Spee , the Pearl Harbor attack, every engagement, and its final battle in Kula Gulf where he was picked up in the water by the USS Nicholas! He was a Fire Controlman (rangefinder) FC/2.
Thanking him for his service is such an incredibly tiny tribute to these of the greatest generation.
Thank him for his service.
If possible. 👍🇺🇲
In the U.S. Navy commissioning crews are most commonly known as "Plank Owners." "Ship's company" is a more generic term used to describe crew that is permanently assigned to a vessel, sometimes referred to as the ship's "complement."
@@qtrfoilHe was a Plank owner, you are correct, he was assigned to the ship before commissioning. He met my mother in Central Park while on Liberty in 1939!
@@geneyellak3978 Now THAT'S a story!
Around the year 2000, I found the after-action reports by Helena's captain and chief gunnery officer from Pearl Harbor on the web. I don't remember where I found them but they are worth hunting for and reading. Both noted the extreme competence of the crew, how damage control parties automatically did what was needed without orders and would request more duties from the nearest officer when they completed a task, while others formed human chains to pass ammo to the A.A. guns. There was a 5-inch crew on board Oglala. When that ship sank, the gun crew swam to Helena, climbed aboard, found an officer and requested duty. Both of the reporting officers said if they were to recommend decorations, they would have to name every single member of the crew whom they observed that day. This was all a credit to her captain and officers, who had thoroughly drilled the crew in damage control procedures, and to the crew who had absorbed and applied that training.
This is what makes a professional navy and crew.
😊
At 69 I remember as a kid my late brother had a nice model of the Helena but I didn't know much about this ship. Certainly not the nicest looking ship but has a great service record. Thanks for preserving her in history and her awesome brave crew. May God Bless America. NCSWIC.
Thank you for your teachings on these wonderful ships & men. Any WWII history is not only enjoyable but essential. Thank you again. Bless our Vets 🇺🇸🇺🇸
My wife's grandfather Edwin Deuel served on the Helena, and was on it when it was sunk. We still have the US dollar bill and the Aussie five pound note that he had in his pockets as he floated in the water waiting to be rescued. Both are cover in oil.
RIP for the ship and his bravery Crew . Respeckt and salut from Germany .I served German Navy in the Early 70th and Build a Modell from Helena in my Freetime in the Barracks and spent is as a gift for my Staffsargen if he Left Service couse he love the History of the Helena and her Sister......
Pretty cool 😎
The Brooklyn Navy Yard built some great ships.
Sailors under battle stress learn and become more capable in the chaos. These super men responded as though they were acostom to these horrors from the standing start of peacetime. Incredible greatest generation.
Whew! What terrific story you tell! Thank you for this superb video. Packed with info and action. More, please!
Thanks for the excellent USS Helena video.....
Old Navy F-4 Phantom 2 Shoe🇺🇸
Well done.
The exploits of this brave ship deserves to be made into a movie!
The incomparable "Greatest Generation" defending Freedom and their nation.
Extraordinary narration. Thank you.
My father was on Helena during the South America cruise. Transferred to Oglala (CM4) sometime before Pearl. I was privileged to meet some of the Helena crew at a reunion dinner in DFW in the early 1990's. Even after 50 years, those guys were tightly knitted together.
My brother Sam Powell was a steward on the Helena. During battle stations he told me he passed ammo.
My Uncles Charles and Ernest Kelley were stewards on Helena. They both survived both Pearl Harbor and Kula Gulf.
Unfortunately, they have both joined their shipmate in the sky.
They were good people. I celebrate their Heroism.
How nice of him to help serve up lead for the japanese =)
I was stationed there 1981 Marine Corps barrack. Valego. Dr Dent astrophysicist Rocketeledyne owner.
Truly the greatest generation this country has ever produced! GOD BLESS!🇺🇲
The Navy…. Months and years of boredom. Then 15 minutes of terror
The Solomon’s campaign is amazing. Both the IJN and USN working very far from home at the end of very long logistical tails
AND other allied Navys, Australian, Brit and Dutch.
@@ardshielcomplex8917nahhh, Australia was just around the corner. Hahahaha just kidding.
Brave ship, brave men!
LEST WE FORGET 🇦🇺 🇺🇸
U did an outstanding job presenting this piece of America's history. Thank u very much, and I'm now a SUBSCRIBER.
Well produced video! Inspiring story.
Thanks - your creativity is appreciated
My Uncle August, was in that Batttle battle called "Iron bottom bay" while on the USS Astoria, a Heavy crucer, which was sunk, and He survived to the end of the war, and retired
God bless this crew and ship ! My father was a marine on Guadalcanal island 2d marine division❤
All the "Brooklyn" and "Cleveland" class light cruisers had the 6" Mk.16 L/47 gun. Most "Cleveland" class cruisers could fire 135lbs APHEBCPC rounds, while the "Brooklyn" class used the 105lbs round. The 6" Mk.16 gun used a sliding breech block and brass cartridge cases instead of the screw breech and powder bags of earlier and the Mk.17 guns in the "Erie" class protected gunboats. This was the fastest firing light cruiser gun of WW2, able to sustain ten rounds a minute per gun for a limited time. The only problem was that the large number of projectiles were hard to spot so that corrections to the input data to the fire control computer (rangekeeper) could be made and without flameless powder, the cruiser looked like it was on fire, giving Japanese cruisers and destroyers armed with the Type 93 61cm oxygen-fueled torpedo, which at high-speed setting (50-51 knots) outranged the gun by around 5,000 yards.
Your good.
Good to get in real close, like the bar room brawl.
Incorrect
This sounds like something an AI would write.
@@nathanworthington4451Absolutely. You don't get a range bonus for setting your torpedos to high speed. OP is a GPT at best.
The St. Louis class consisted of two ships and is actually a sub-class of the Brooklyn class. I've normally heard all 9 ships of the Brooklyn class referred to as "machine gun cruisers", as all had similar armaments and fire-power. What set the St. Louis class apart was improved mechanics, including sturdier boilers.
Wow, 7 battle stars. Tough battles around guadalcanal. What a tough ship.
We need to thank her crew who proved the best American weapon was the fighting men.
I’d only known her from the Pearl Harbor attack… what a great ship & crew! Much respect
I love how you explain everything in great detail!
Wow. The USS Helena was indeed one very badass Cruiser!! ❤
I did know about her being nicknamed, "the machinegun Cruiser" I love that nickname!
I enjoy watching your videos because every single one of them is informative and accurate!
You always do an excellent job!
So Thank you!! 😊
👍🏻🇺🇸✌️🏴🇬🇧 I remember making a kit model of her in the early 1960’s.
Just discovered your Channel, thank you for your excellent insightful Post ! Looking forward to more posts especially if any Australian content . A significant amount of Operations were conducted with American and Australian Destroyers with the welcome Light Cruiser occasionally . Thanks again and I will see what you have already Posted .
Simply the best....Helena
Gonna say, I have this ship in "World of Warship" and it's one of my favorite tier 7 Cruisers in the game.
Like Fox Company, 7th Marines holding the Toktong Pass at the Chosin Reservoir, these brave sailors on this magnificent ship probably changed the course of the war. I hope they found some solace in their loss & grief knowing this.
I appreciate very good and succinct videos. This was well done and not embarrassingly embellished.
Thank you 🙏🏻
Agreed. Liked and subbed because of that.
I suggest there is something in the soil around Helena, Montana that nutures the local warrior spirit.
Post Civil War, its best beneficiaries were mostly Southern veterans of that terrible war seeking out a fresh start raising cattle & horses. Elmer Keith, a renowned handgun hunter, (creator of the 44 Remington Magnum)was firstly inspired by these expert sixgun, ex-rebel cavalrymen, regarding the American revolver. During the years of WW2, this area of Montana became the training grounds for the joint American-Canadian elite commando unit, First Special Service Force that distinguished itself in mountainous Italy.
So, its kind of fitting USS Helena was nicknamed The Machine Gun Cruiser!
I am eternally grateful for the fine ships and the fine sea Fighters that crude and fought them,I remember my mother who was born during that time period I was told her name Helen , she was called Ellen was named for family friends that served a board that Mighty worship!❤😂😊
My mother's cousin Electrician Mate 2nd Class Richard Dobbins was killed aboard on December 7, 1941. His brother, Seaman 1st Class Albert Dobbins served aboard the destroyer USS Hammon and was mortally wounded while trying to rig a tow aboard the aircraft carrier USS Yorktown during the Battle of Midway.
One of the Japanese destroyers on Nov. 13 was captained by Tameichi Hara, who wrote in his book that he made a mistake by turning on his searchlight and getting raked by Helena and probably Juneau.
Those hero's should never b forgotten.
Very well done. Much of these details are new to me. What a gallant fighting ship! We want more.
I grew up in Helena, graduated from Helena HS (go Bengals!), but this is the first that I'm hearing about the USS Helena.
Sadly our public schools have failed generations of Americans when it comes to many basics in education such as history. I'm glad you were able to find this here, and glad I found it too!
Sounds like she was a rare beast. I've seen no other cruiser with 15 main guns. That in itself would have made her a serious threat despite not having heavier guns.
Brooklyn's, St Louis and Helena all had 15 main battery guns, as well as the Japanese Mogami class. In fact, our cruisers were armed with 15 guns in a response to the Mogami class.
Great story. God bless her crew and all the allied ships that fought in the Solomons.
Great video! Love anything about the fighting ships of our Navy, in WW2!
You should check out the story of HMAS Perth.
I think I put together a Revelle model of her when I was a kid back in the 60s......
That was probably the Baltimore class heavy cruiser USS Helena released by Revell. There has not been any plastic kits of the light cruiser USS Helena nor of the Brooklyn class ships but several resin kits have been released.
There is a rare out of print book about the destroyer DD-435. USS Grayson. Written by the captain, when he was the captain of ship. My dad was on the ship for 9 mo at the same time. Mostly around the slot and Guadalcanal. I never got to hear anything about his life as he was murdered day after Christmas 1959. But, I did get to meet some of the men that served with him. Went to 3 get together with them. First time in Seattle, then Washington D.C. , then Fredericksburg , Texas, where the Nimitz Hotel is and a war memorial. Grayson had 13 battle stars, major engagements. Dad was later transferred troop ship I believe. He had his own little boat that he used to get to boats that had broke down and whatever. He would get em running if possible. At Okinawa battle. He was QM 2nd. That’s on his headstone. There were several vets that new him pretty well in the day. 1 old shipmate tried finding him couple years after he had died. He was very shook up that his war buddy died in a damn gas station robbery. Crooks got $10 and shot my dad point blank 3 times. I will eventually die of a broken heart. 74 now. God Bless the men and women that fight for freedom.
Liked and subbed. Excellent presentation.
@@garynew9637 thank you
There is a large scale model of the Helena in the lobby of the main administration building at Naval Training Center, Great Lakes,IL. While stationed up there I would check it out every chance I got. The details on it is amazing.
how heroic, presented with such passion...
sarcasm...
My God father, Stanley Drozdal, served on the Helena. He never talked about it. Was injured ,but never wanted compensation. A humble hero .
Is the portside view of the USS Helena (11:23 - 11:53) firing a broadside during a night engagement a painting or a photograph? If it's a painting, what's its title and are prints available?
It's a painting, as to the best of my knowledge no photos of the engagement exist. I have not been able to find where you can by a print of it though.
Ok thanks. Great painting though.@@TheValorVault
Great video!!
A great ship, and a great story.
Great story. Thanks.
S!
Is *_Bravo Zulu_* a Navy signal?
What a great story.
Liked and subbed. Thank you , and job well done!
I play World of Warships, and was curious about her history. Thank you.
Outstanding content, quality, production and presentation. I subscribed! Cheers.
Thank you sir!
Captivating. Really well done!
My uncle Joe Dysken went done with the Helena
Good Video & History That Matters. Thank You.
Very good. Thank you.
A fighting ship captained by a warrior, and crewed by badasses.
Awesome, thank you!
Great video. Thanks for sharing
Excellent Video and content!
Great content
The USN was fortunate to have excellent captains on their cruisers during WW 2. They were very competent and willing to fight. The allies were very ignorant to the power of the Type 93 torpedo for much of the war, including the Solomons campaign, when many ships were sunk or severely damaged. Yet the allies went toe to toe with the IJN during these brutal night engagements with the utmost bravery. The Japanese sailors were extremely well trained and aggressive, which is why these battles were so fierce. It took the USN a while to figure out how to use their radars effectively as well as get their torpedoes working!
Great documentary 👏🏻
Excellent 👍🏽
Amazing!!!❤
Great video thanks
Thank You For this video Awesome keep showing your video s
The Boise, the same class cruiser contributed as much as the Helena. They were both quite formidable.
USS Boise, CL-47 The one ship fleet.
I hope you don’t mind but the Helena and Saint Louis were improvements of the earlier Brooklyn class light cruisers. The Brooklyns had eight 5” 25 cal AA guns in single open mounts and the rear superstructure and mast were positioned further aft. As mentioned in the video, the Helena and her sister had eight 5” 38 cal AA guns in twin turrets. They were slightly different in shape with the later turrets used in battleships, cruisers and Sumner and Gearing destroyers. The aft superstructure and mast were moved forward to present less interference for AA firing arcs. Thank you.
Very good video what a ship such a pity she went she should be here for all to see,,,
Fascinating
I enjoy playing this ship a lot on WoW. I just fire and fire and fire ...
What a warrior.
As a Navy vetand someone who just loves learning WWII Pacific theater history thank you. I pray all the sacrifice of their's and the others of all our freedom fights remains Red White and Blue and not orange. Or It'll all have been wasted.
Excellent video!
As with many ships my grandfather was on the U.S.S Ticonderoga and went to Tulagi was well have you done a video on it?
I believe that the men of that day were singular in their spirit and dedication to duty... I wonder how we would fare today in such battles?
Great video.
Thank you!
Love this one
Great narration made me subscribe thanks
Excellent.
"WOW" great ship.