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JOINT BASE PEARL HARBOR-HICKAM, Hawaii – Hawaii government
officials, community representatives, and retired and active
servicemembers from all branches of the military gathered on the
U.S. Army Vessel Lt. Gen. William B. Bunker (Logistic Support Vessel
4) for the 71st West Loch Disaster Remembrance Ceremony on May 21,
2015 that was hosted by U.S. Army Pacific and the 8th Theater
Sustainment Command.
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Hawaii government officials, community representatives, and retired and active service members from all branches of the military gathered on the U.S. Army Vessel Lt. Gen. William B. Bunker (Logistic Support Vessel 4) for the 71st West Loch Disaster Remembrance Ceremony hosted by U.S. Army Pacific and the 8th Theater Sustainment Command at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, May, 21, 2015. This was the second largest tragedy in Pearl Harbor during WWII. (U.S. Army photo by Sgt. 1st Class Nicole Howell)
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On May 21, 1944 Army troops were loading ammunition,
weapons and fuel onto vessels in preparation for Operation
Forager, a World War II campaign on the Mariana Islands.
Following an explosion, fire spread through the West Loch –
a Landing Ships and Tank staging area of Pearl Harbor U.S.
Naval Base.
Over the next 24 hours, six LSTs sank,
163 personnel died, and 396 personnel were injured in what
was the second largest tragedy in Pearl Harbor during the
war. Nearly one-third of the casualties were from the Army's
segregated African American 29th Chemical Decontamination
Company. Despite the devastation, the critical mission was
only delayed one day, demonstrating the resolve and courage
of the Sailors, Marines and Soldiers involved.br>
“Like so
many other military disasters, the story of the events here
at West Loch is a story of supreme courage in the face of
death and valor shown between joint teammates in dire
circumstances,” said Maj. Gen. Edward F. Dorman III, the 8th
TSC Commanding General. “The courage displayed by these men
pushed them to save one another, and to continue the
mission.”
During the remembrance, the LSV-4 crew
transported the distinguished guests across Pearl Harbor
from Bishop Point to the West Loch where they conducted a
ceremony, and as a sign of respect and remembrance, the
youngest Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine, and Coast
Guardsman laid a wreath in the same sacred waters where the
individuals lost their lives.
Dorman said, “While
this is a memorial, it is more importantly a day which
exemplifies the American spirit, one of courage, commitment,
and most importantly one of strength with character.”
The LSV remembrance was followed by another West Loch
remembrance ceremony with military honors at the National
Cemetery of the Pacific at Punchbowl Crater.
Courtesy of U.S. Army 8th Theater Sustainment Command
Provided
through DVIDS
Copyright 2015
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