We remember the 168 men who were lost on the
USS Helena CL-50 during the Battle of Kula Gulf
6 July 1943

Each of them had a family. Mothers, fathers, sisters, brothers, wives fiancees, perhaps children

Each of these men belonged to the
Greatest Generation

They had grown up during the years of the Depression.
Each had willingly enlisted in the US Navy to serve their country. Some were plank owners - the original crew that came on board in September 1939

Others were on the Oklahoma at Pearl Harbor and came on board the Helena at the end of December, 1941. Some joined the Helena while she was at the Mare Island Navy Yard the first half of 1942 undergoing repairs and upgrades

In early March 1943 nine men came on board from the
USS Chicago CA-29

Most had participated in the hellish battles that took place in the vicinity of Guadalcanal during 1942

These men made the ultimate sacrifice for their country and we honor them for their courage and determination

Many of the families were never able to recover from the loss of their son, brother, father

May they now have a sense of closure with the final resting place of
The Fightingest Ship in the Navy
having been located

 

6 July 2018