Adm. John McCain-- Part 2: World War II Service

Upon commissioning, he took part in the Great White Fleet's voyage around the world, then joined the battleship USS Connecticut.

After that, he was ordered to the Asiatic Squadron and then based at San Diego, California, on the armored cruiser Colorado, patrolling off the Pacific coast of the troubled Mexico.  He was executive and engineering officer on this ship.  His next posting was to the flagship of the U.S. Pacific Fleet, the armored cruiser USS San Diego.

After the United States entered World War I, the San Diego did convoy duty in the Atlantic Ocean escorting troop and supply ships.    The USS San Diego was based out of New York and Halifax.

In may 1918, he transferred to the Bureau of Navigation.  Two months later, the USS San Diego was sunk by a mine placed by a German U-boat off the coast of Long Island.

During the interwar years, McCain advanced  in rank and became a major proponent of naval aviation which had so much impact on the next war.

I'll write about his service in World War II in my Tattooed On Your Soul World War II blog.

--Cooter

USS San Diego-- Part 3: Still the Question: Mine or Torpedo

The USS San Diego was the only major warship lost by the United States in World War I.

The Navy Department was informed that a German submarine was operating off the  east coast of the U.S. and the U.S. Naval Air Service was put on alert.  Aircraft of the 1st Yale Unit, based at Bay Shore, Long Island, attacked what they thought was a submerged submarine, but it turned out to be the San Diego.

Captain Christy believed his ship had been sunk by a torpedo, but there was no evidence of a submarine operating in the area at the time, not did his lookouts see the wake of a torpedo.  It had been reported that dive or six mines had been found in the area.

But the thought was that had it been a mine, the explosion would have taken place at the San Diego's bow or forward part of the ship.  Experienced merchant ship captains believed a mine was probable because of the force of the explosion and how rapidly the ship sank.

--Cooter

USS San Diego Hits Mine-- Part 2: Off the U.S. Coast

The USS San Diego was recommissioned April 7 for use in World War I.  At first it operated in the Pacific before being ordered to the Atlantic.  Once there, the main job of the ship was to escort convoys across the North Atlantic to Europe.Ir was based out of Tompkinsville, New York, (Staten island) and Halifax, Nova Scotia.

An 18 July 1918, the San Diego was going to escort a convoy to France and its commander, Captain Harley H. Christy, ordered a zig-zag course with everyone on full alert for a submarine attack.  At 11:05 the next day, the ship was off Fire Island Lightship, N/Y/, when there was an explosion on the port side , well below the waterline.

Captain Christy thought his ship had been struck by a torpedo.  The San Diego began sinking rapidly and went below the water in 28 minutes.  Six men were killed.

--Cooter

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The 21st U.S. Infantry: 1905 to World War I

Yesterday I wrote about the 21st U.S. Infantry at the Plattsburgh Barracks in Plattsburgh, New York.

From 1905-1906, the regiment was on garrison duty in the Philippines.  From 1909 to 1912 they were back in the Philippines.  Then they were based at Vancouver Barracks. From March 1916, they were on the Arizona-California border protecting citizens from Villista raids.

In December 1916, the 21st participated in the Panama-California Exposition defending against a simulated attack by U.S. Navy cruisers Frederick and San Diego and several aircraft.

With U.S. entry into World War I, in April 1917, they were transferred to Camp Kearney and were subordinated to the 16th Division's 31st Infantry.  Not quite sure what subordinated means.  Perhaps it has something to do with training soldiers.  They trained troops for fighting in France with the American Expeditionary Force.

In March, they returned to the Vancouver Barracks.

--DaCoot