Too bad Trump's father, or Trump himself, have never written nor read such a memorable, American comunication. But they never thought of sacrifice for their country.
15
@Lee. Friend there is no need to march decisive partisanship into every comment section on every story. Have the grace to read about the brave people and the efforts to remember them. Really when President Clinton was in office would you want a story like this to have his lack of service thrown out there by a commentor? or the current crop of announced Democrat primary candidates? Would you make the same comment?
12
@Lee
Just can’t keep petty politics out of anything, huh? Sad.
4
@Georg
Petty politics? I don't think so. Imagine,if you can,if a trump had been president in 1941. Consider what he has done now to demean the US. So no,not petty at all.
17
Excellent piece of work, Ed and David.
10
Truly lovely story well told. I would have appreciated photos of the principals in the story given that you are not limited by newsprint.
6
Wow. An unbelievably well written article. Perfect balance of writing that used the emotional connection of the author to the events of today, of the war and the lives impacted both then and now to allow the reader to not just passively be a spectator but to feel as if they to were there to be a part of the discovery and to have a larger emotional connection to what it meant to everyone involved. From the discovery team, the families and the pain that a son (in this case) carries with him growing up without a father no matter how noble their death may have been. To that child no matter their age it’s still a fundamental event (especially when death that occurs out of sync with the normal rhythm of life) they while they may learn to live with it but they never really get over it. I think the authors own life experience was fundamental to allowing us the readers to make that deeper connection to the story. This is why the New York Times is more than a paper but a national treasure and my hope is that this article gets the attention of those who decide the Pulitzer Prize. As a life long George H.W. Bush republican trust me I am no sycophant of the Times. Far from it. But there is no doubting the fact that your journalist can write.
9
My grandfather, Daniel George Coughlin, was on this ship when it was torpedoed and he survived hours in the cold water by floating on his back. He and my grandmother, Mary Rita, went on to have 10 children and made sure they all learned to swim and float on their backs in the water.
16
Surprised that Mr. Caesar referred to the U.S.S. Indianapolis as "infamous," no doubt because he was misguidedly upset that it transported an atomic bomb, but he referred neutrally to the Musashi, a battleship of the Japanese Imperial Navy. The Musashi represented the dictatorship of Japan, the country responsible for for the Rape of Nanjing in China, the wanton slaughter of civilians in the battle for Manila in the Philippines, the deliberate burning of American prisoners in a gasoline-filled trench on Peleliu, the murder of POW's at a rate unsurpassed by the other Axis nations, research on humans (non-Japanese, of course) with nerve agents and germ warfare with their army's truly "infamous" 721 Unit, and committed the Pearl Harbor sneak attack. Indeed, Max Hastings, in his book, "Retribution" pointed out that the Japanese military killed more people per loss of their own forces than any other combatant nation in WWII, and fought on furiously in China well after their "surrender."
The "Indianapolis", infamous? Mr. Caesar, you have either the peculiar vantage point of being being born too late or you are a not well read enough on history to realize how you insult the memories of the lives lost on that ship that, merely in transportation of a weapon used a against a fanatical foe, helped to end a horrific war and saved maybe millions of lives, military and civilian.
8
@CM The sinking of Indianapolis resulted in the greatest single loss of life at sea, from a single ship, in the history of the US Navy. Mr. Caesar references this, through the eyes of a younger American generation that would learned it from the movie Jaws. He did not mention that the Indy had delivered Little Boy to Tinian.
His description of the Indy's fate as "infamous" is, I think, appropriate.
16
Thank you for this article.. beautiful and touching.
5
My father, Raleigh Crittenden Kirkpatrick, Jr., was a 28 year old lieutenant and fighter pilot aboard the Wasp when it was torpedoed. He survived and had a successful career as a Naval aviator and was a member of the Wasp CV7 Stinger club until his death.
Like many men of his generation, he rarely talked about his experiences in the War. His only comment to his children about the Wasp was: "I took a little swim." When his after-action report was declassified, it was a revelation. Now this remarkable discovery!
Congratulations to the crew of the Petrel and to Ed Caesar for a beautifully told story.
Thank you.
Nan Kirkpatrick Lukmire
Arlington, VA
24
Where is the link I can donate NYT to schools and school children?
For this story alone I will do my part!
10
Another excellent story about members of the greatest generation. Thank you Paul Allen, Ed Caeser and NY Times for helping to finish the stories of these Americans.
9
Excellent story and excellent writing. The values Lt. Cmdr. John Shea wrote about to his son are timeless and deserve careful study. Those values are the legacy we leave behind and they are more valuable than wealth, status, or material acquisition. The letter reminds me of the truisms contained in Robert Fulghum's book "All I really need to know I learned in kindergarten." It's unfortunate his son did not live to witness the discovery of his father's ship.
7
What a wonderful story about unselfish people; from the Shea family, to Robert Kraft and to Paul Allen. So nice to read about the greater good.
9
Isn’t Kraft under FBI investigation?
Thank you, Ed Cesar and the NY Times for a beautifully written and profoundly moving article. It has also inspired a fascinating Comments Section. Thanks to the many commenters who have shared their own family stories; and to those who have shared their thoughts on the challenges and ambivalence around war, including the bombing of Hiroshima.
In terms of the Petrel, what a great experience and opportunity for all the crew working on the ship. All the crew members mentioned by name are men. Are there any women crew members on the Petrel?
5
I was struck by the consequences of War described in part by the author and the reader comments. Families lost their sons, brothers, husbands, uncles and fathers. Despite the loss of life and treasure on "all sides" in WW II, there is still warfare, overt and clandestine today.
That said, Ed Caesar is a talented writer and the article read like a mystery story with tributes to Paul Allen and the technical staff who hunt for the MIA shipwrecks. As others have said, writing like this makes me a dedicated new york times subscriber.
8
This astonishing story plainly has touched many in uncountable ways. Among them for me is family’s military service. My older brother Donald B. MacKenzie, a B-17 copilot, was killed in action 8/17/43 returning from its fifth European bombing mission. That final mission was astonishingly similar to the finale of John Hersey's novel The War Monger. My late younger brother Warren was an Army lieutenant who served in Korea. i served in the Navy during Korea and my ship U.S.S. Osberg DE 538 was briefly moored alongside the successor carrier Wasp. My ship, which was nominally designed to chase subs but functioned as a torpedo shield, had survived WWII and was recommissioned for Korea, but frankly our claim to fame was that we guarded the Atlantic from the North Koreans. My brother-in-law William Grey received a battlefield commission during the Battle of the Bulge. My father John W.P. MacKenzie served in the Army during World War I.
It never occurred to any of us to avoid military service. No need to apologize if Ed Caesar’s moving story had the unintended effect of contrast with the unworthy service evader in the White House. Trump doubtless would prefer survivors to those noble warriors who died on the U.S.S. Wasp.
17
@John P. MacKenzie
Mr. MacKenzie, I have so much gratitude for the dedication and sacrifices made by families such as yours. You are all true American heroes in my eyes. Thank you!
2
This letter is so suffused with nobility, great of soul, and love that it is quite simply overpowering. And so perfectly written in terms of vocabulary for a five-year-old boy. Nobody writes like that any more, with elegance of form as well as of content. As Lt. Commander Shea’s granddaughter commented, nowadays everything is all about money and power. I hope this incredible father and his son are now reunited in the afterlife. It is so painful to think of all the lives that were shattered by World War II, the Vietnam War, etc.
And where was our trigger-happy president’s draft-age father (37 years old in 1942, seven years younger than Lt. Comdr. Shea) during all of this ? Why, building barracks and garden apartments for U.S. Navy personnel near major shipyards along the East Coast and making plenty of money in the process, of course, or couldn’t you guess ?
6
Reading Lt. Cmdr. Shea's letter to his son has brought me to tears that have yet to quit. It was written with tender love to the son he knew he may never see again. While he expresses hope for the future, he also wrote a final farewell with directions to his son on how to live his life should he not return home.
My father survived the war but not its effects, or perhaps some other demon within turned him into a raging, abusive husband and father. Reading the letter apparently brought up the old pain that still haunts me occasionally. But at the same time I'm grateful for this story and the reminder that I can be a loving grandfather, like Lt. Cmdr Shea would undoubtedly have us all be.
17
Of course the letter rings a little maudlin now.
And he was obviously writing to an audience beyond his five-year-old son. His reasons given for American involvement in the war fit better with Nazi Germany. And revenge for the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor was a principal reason for his deployment in the South Pacific.
Profound story
10
As a retired Navy Chief, I am humbled and honored to call these brave souls "shipmates."
We have the watch.
Fair winds and following seas.
15
@Scott Franklin Aye.
2
My father physically survived the sinking of the Wasp. He never discussed it. So this was interesting.
16
A teriffic article.
And thank you to Paul Allen and all the Crew for using your serious efforts so well.
11
not for the firs time I have read an article in the New York Times that in itself alone justifies my sub to the Times. Fantastic read, great journalism. Thank you
22
So glad I took time to read this article. And so many words I had to look up! I can't believe only 10% of the ocean is known to us humans. Maybe best to keep it that way. Wow!
4
My father was a chief petty officer and pilot on the USS Wasp. He wrote a short story about his experiences. He claimed that the captain on the ship was antisemitic and didnt like my father because he was Jewish. On the day of the bombing, my dad was below deck and the captain yelled at him to get back on top and do some chores. Just as my father reached the top deck, the torpedo hit and everyone below was instantly killed, including the captain, who ironically saved my dads life.
While taking a furlough in Hawaii, my dad found the mast head in the beach and Readers Digest published his story. My brother still has the mast head. And we have the wonderful memories of my dads stories! He died at the age of 92 and would have so loved this article.
20
For the damage the Wasp took, the description that witnesses gave of the carnage, the fire, the explosions, I was expecting far more casualties out of the ship's complement of 2,247 persons. I was totally surprised that only 194 were"deemed “killed or missing.”" Maybe 194 too many, but still, loud hearty cheers for the rescue work afterwards.
Japanese submarines were good and their torpedoes were considered the best of the war. The US submarine fleet proved to be the most successful, based in part on tactics of shipping strangulation. The Japanese, though, spent their efforts on using subs to take out better guarded warships and the Japanese submarine fleet suffered heavily.
In retrospect, against shipping would have a much more effective use of their undersea fleet.
Did the dramatic, successful attack on the Wasp, play into the Japanese perception that warship hunting was their best strategy, eschewing merchant ships from being priority targets? If so the Wasp, by her demise, won a glorious victory.
6
@SteamTimes The US Navy Submarine Force suffered the highest combat fatality percentage in the Navy during WWII. As a former nuclear submariner, I still am in awe of what the submarine crews endured and accomplished. Their stories are well documented, but still an amazing chapter of the greatest generation.
7
a wonderful writer gave us a huge gift. Granddaughter Christine's comment is so valuable: "The letter did not mention making a lot of money".
22
I wish this article and that letter could be known to everyone in our country at this point in our history.
We need to be reminded of how many fought and died to preserve what we stand to lose at this moment. The GOP in congress need to be reminded that we fight for our ideals, not just to win. If these men could die for their country, certainly our congress people can lose an election to preserve our nation.
Our distance from the battles being waged in our name, removes many of us from personal responsibility.
30
Thank you Ed Caesar, Paul Allen, the Times and the crew of the Petrel for this story so beautifully written. I too am a John Shea from Massachusetts, most likely descended from the same ancient Irish clan that Lt. Commander John Shea is from. My father was a Jack Shea who fought in the US Army in World War II, who marched across France to the Battle of the Bulge. Luckily he survived the war to help raise our family with the same code of honor and duty perfectly expressed in the "Dear Jackie" letter. Thanks for bringing it all to to light once more to share with folks like me with children of our own to inspire.
28
I am very grateful to the author for such a well-written and sensitive article. This story, alone, exemplifies what is possible and noble in extraordinary journalism. It also reminds us of what we, as a nation, can aspire to be. During these uncertain and partisan times, it's especially important to be reminded of 'the better angels of our nature". Because ours is not a nation born of bitterness, blame and fearful isolation. Rather we are a nation born of noble ideals and hope for a better world. Ideals we've often fallen far short of, but ideals just the same.
Articles like this help us to remember that.
32
At a time when (understandable) frustration, even anger, is being aimed at billionaires, it's worth taking note of how Paul Allen decided to use his billions: charity and incredible marine research.
Compare that to the priorities of someone like, say, Individual-1 (who, of course, may not even be a billionaire).
28
Nice, well done.
More video please.
8
war, what is it good for -- absolutely nothing
7
I highly recommend the book Indianapolis as it tells the story of the ship from beginning to end. it contains s many stories of the sailors and officers. it also contains the story of the court martial of the captain and the survivors who spend decades to finally clear his name. You won't be disappointed.
5
My uncle, Bernard T. McGahan, "Tommy," Storekeeper,Third Class, U.S.Navy, died 15-16 September, 1942 -on the Wasp, CV-7. Tom was a child of the depression, of the "dirty thirties" and a poor Nebraska farm boy with great potential like many thousand other KIA young men. A great loss to our nation. The discovery by Petrel is truly a miracle for me personally, and I am sure for the majority of Tom's other 28 nephews-nieces. Tom died five months before I was born ... his loss had a profound impact on his parents and his six siblings ... an impact that passed down to our generation as sadness and great understanding of the high cost of war. Tom was an ammunition handler ... he was in the magazine, undoubtedly the worst place to be when the torpedoes struck. A visit by one of Tom's shipmates and close friends revealed (in 1944) that "Tom was right behind me headed toward the deck from our station ... I never saw him again." We knew in general where he has lain for all these years ... now, thankfully his US Navy knows for certain. We are grateful for the knowledge Mr. Allen's philanthropy has given to so many families who have lived with the loss all these years.
56
Very well written
8
My father [ER Crabtree] served on the USS Wasp CV-7 until the day she was torpedoed. He survived this attack and retired after 20 years as an enlisted sailer in the US Navy. j s v t r atmedotcom.
20
What a marvelous story and writing. I was a teenager during WWII, living in Los Angeles, California. I well remember the daily news about the war, the radio broadcasts, and the movie newsreels (no television then) which showed what was happening. I remember the Battle of the Coral Sea and the sinking of the USS Wasp. My husband's uncle was a "lifer" in the Navy; he had been a signalman on the USS Panay which is considered as the first Navy ship sunk by the Japanese in WWII (the USS Panay was a gunboat on the Yangtze River in China in 1937 and was caught between the Chinese forces and the Japanese). It was sunk by bombs from Japanese aircraft. The old movie "The Sand Pebbles"
with Steve McQueen is a fictionalized version of the event.
During WWII he was on a Navy ship, in the Battle of the Java Sea, which was sunk, picked up by a Dutch ship which was sunk, and then picked up by a Japanese ship. He was interred in a Japanese prison camp in Burma. Apparently his treatment as a POW was not good. He died in April, 1945, at age 37, 4 months before WWII was over. There were so many similar situations during WWII that people today don't realize or understand--all wars are horrible, but WWII was the entire world burning and final victory was not
a firm conclusion for several years. Stories about young men (boys actually) enlisting are very true. Not all came back. This story about the Wasp brought back many memories along with tears.
40
A great story well served by great journalism.
My dad and two of my uncles served in the Pacific.
My father was with the 11th Airborne, He had joined up in Jan 1943 after graduating halfway though his senior year for that purpose. he fought in horrific battles in the Philippines and was training for the invasion of Japan when the war ended and among the first into Japan
His one brother had been a Marine who fought to take the Marianas and their oldest brother a year later went from an Army Air Corps flight instructor in Kansas to flying combat missions out of the Marianas -- where in the first week of August his B-29 took off, caught fire and crashed at sea at a depth if about two miles as well with the loss of the entire crew.
The Pacific theater module for our high school kids today is a) Japanese Americans Internment and b) Hiroshima. The former was just wrong and the latter horrific but ultimately saved millions. Both important events. But there is virtually nothing taught about our service people in that theater, the course of that war, the expanses, or how tenacious the Japanese adversary was.
18
Thank you for mentioning my former father-in-law, David McCampbell. He was always proud of his service in the US Navy, and had many a good tale to tell.
13
Though a student of history I had never read the Letter to Jackie. I knew how it ended before reaching that piece in the article. I suspect my father read it. He was commissioned in the Navy in 1944 at the age of 18 and went on to serve 30 years retiring as a Captain. I suspect he read the letter as a young man and perhaps that steered him toward service at sea. I completed 28 years in the Navy in 2013 largely influenced by my dad. Perhaps I to owe in part my service to this letter.
Excellent articles like this which connect historical fact to human reality should be studied by all senior military officials, policy makers, and really all Americans to better understand why we go to war and what are the costs. Reading this makes me all the more proud of my services rich tradition while at the same time making more aware of the costs of conflict.
This is journalism at its finest.
38
A marvelous, moving , perfectly written story that I will share with other Seattleites who, if they were not proud of Paul Allen before, most certainly will be after reading this.
15
Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
It's own appointed limits keep:
O hear us when we cry to thee
For those in peril on the sea.
35
thank you, Al.
6
Two words: Pulitzer Prize.
23
Just, thank you. A gift of a story
16
Thank you for your story.
10
I will only repeat what so many others have written about this article; it is masterful, involving and sensitive reportage. I thank my lucky stars that The New York Times continues to flourish and lead the way in the world of journalism.
27
Fabulous! Pulitzer, for sure. It will remain with me and give me hope with each day's national horror. Thank you New York Times.
12
Fascinating story, and very well written. Lots of good new information. Thanks!
6
Lt. Cmdr. John Joseph Shea's beliefs in honor, and limitless opportunities for his son if he worked hard and helped others, stand in breathtakingly sharp contrast to today's news about Trump undermining our Constitution and permanent dictator-worship, and wealthy parents cheating and bribing their kids' way into top schools. We have to find Officer Shea's belief in our country again - before it's as hard to find as the Wasp itself.
23
They that go down to the sea in ships, that do business in great waters;
These see the works of the Lord, and his wonders in the deep.
6
I am glad that Allen’s heirs are continuing the important work of the Petrel.
16
Thank you for a wonderful account of an important search, honoring so many brave men who died to make not only the US, but also the world, a better place.
10
Excellent article and an amazing undertaking! Congratulations to the author, Ed Caesar. VERY well done!
13
Great story on the USS Wasp - my uncle Harding Morefield was on the Wasp when it was sunk. He was one of the survivors picked up by the USS Hornet . When the Hornet was sunk he survived and requested submarine duty - his rationale was -'if I am going to fight this war under water best to be on a craft that operates under water' he survived the war and made it back to southwest Virginia to go back to work in the coal mines. His children and grandchildren still live in the Dante, Virginia area.
25
Great story! I read that letter several times and was heart struck by it. How much of what this father wrote to his son is lost or on the verge of being lost in our country. Shea represented the values of the greatest generation and will go down in history as such. I an afraid that my generation (I am 63) will be remembered as the worst.
7
This wonderfully written and poignant true story reminds me of the scene towards the end of Saving Private Ryan where the dying Captain Miller grabs Ryan and says, “Earn this.”
8
Not only is my laptop's keyboard tear-stained from reading the exquisitely simple but profoundly moving "Dear Jackie" letter, but also for the much greater loss of an idealistic America that could turn such everyday ordinariness into deep, meaningful poetry. Thank you, New York Times.
21
My mother's uncle, Leonard Kangas, 23, was among those killed aboard the Wasp. He'd been a star athlete in high school (scouted by the Yankees, according to family lore). On January 2, I happened to be at Punchbowl National Cemetery in Honolulu, to find his name engraved on one of the memorial walls. I'm amazed. As I stood there, wondering where in the vast Pacific he and his ship lay, the Petrel's crew was about to discover the answer.
25
Awesome article and story! So well written. Thank you! This read like an action novel, full of anticipation, frustration, failure, success and final triumph with a good dose of humility and human experience.
14
Great story. My Dad would have loved reading it. Thank you.
9
THIS is an example of why I subscribe to the digital NY Times! Just incredible.
It didn't bring me to tears, but I did have a lump in my throat reading Mr. Caesar's wonderful article.
23
As a WW2 child of the 60s I can't even imagine what my and my friends parents went through. I can recall being at parties in the early 80s when these vital 70 year old men would argue Mcarthur v Eisenhower, Infantry v Navy, and the privations. My mother and aunts were airplane "spotters" and studied plane outlines to warn the city of attack. They came back(440,000 did not and 70 million worldwide) appreciative of life, married early and got to the business of living. We would do well to learn from them, customs change but there is much to learn of focus, sacrifice, perseverance and humility that seems to be lost. RIP and Godspeed and I forwarded that letter to all my friends (mostly 60 yr old parents of adults) and am interested to see the reaction. Thanks for publishing this
23
I am humbled by this incredible article nearly as much as by the events which inspired it. How petty some concerns of daily life seem now. I have always been fascinated by shipwrecks and by vessels and artifacts lost and found deep at sea. I felt my usual terror of deep water as I read and was overwhelmed by admiration of the intelligence and courage of the personnel on the Petrel -- I was going to say men, but maybe there were women, doesn't sound like it -- and by the vision and generosity of Paul Allen.
I'm gobsmacked. Going on to find out more about this.
18
I could not stop reading this beautifully written and haunting story. Thank you for sharing Lt Cdr Shea’s inspiring letter. It should be required reading for every member of Congress and the President to remind them why they were elected to serve our country, an idea they clearly do not understand. Thank you New York Times for publishing this wonderful story.
62
Indeed an epic story about love, loss, valor, science and human experience. Beautifully written.
This week we saw an airline crash, college admission scandals and this massacre in Christchurch. We, as humans do so much harm to ourselves and our living conditions yet we thrive because of the extraordinary lives that existed among us and the story tellers who keep their memories fresh in our minds and hearts. Thank you Ed Caeser.
22
Absolutely fascinating story written with great depth and breath. As a father and current aircraft carrier Navigator, I was vividly transported to the Coral sea of both a few years ago and in 1943. Thank you for so elequently writing (and participating in) about the search our fallen shipmates. Fair words and following seas mighty Wasp and your gallant crew.
31
*Coral Sea of a few months ago vice years. Need a editor!
absolutely beautifully written, a very moving piece and story even after all these years.
that video near the end of the 5" gun is surreal too. can't imagine seeing all of that live and the image of the helmets resting on the seabed. very moving and great work by the petrel crew.
12
The Wasp was a ship born with two strikes against her. Designed and built to use up surplus treaty tonnage, she lacked the sturdiness of construction of her contemporaries, the immortal Yorktown-class, or the twin colossi Lexington and Saratoga.
From the moment she was struck by Japanese torpedoes (the most lethal tin fish of the war), she was doomed, another casualty of America's struggle against the lethally efficient Japanese Navy of 1942, less than a year removed from the triumph of Pearl Harbor. Even fabulous American damage control couldn't save her.
And yet Wasp is with us again...one ghost brought to us by another, Petrel's benefactor Paul Allen.
The Petrel and her experts and her technology have found many ships. The glorious Lexington, lost at Coral Sea. The mighty Hornet, bearer of Doolittle's raiders when they struck the pinpoint blows on Japan itself that led directly to Midway. Tragic Indianapolis and Juneau, cruisers whose crews endured unimaginable horrors after losing their ships. Mighty Musashi, one of the two largest battleships ever built, obliterated by dozens of carrier-based U.S. warplanes, absorbing mammoth punishment before succumbing.
All of these are with us again, at least more than they were, thanks to Mr. Allen's extraordinary passion and legacy. Kudos to Mr. Caesar for doing them such honor with his piece. I envy his time aboard the ship, and I envy the rising passion and involvement he got to experience during the search.
56
@Jason Leland
Mr. Leland is correct in stating that Wasp "was born with two strikes against her," and I found the omission of information regarding the ship's design and construction to be the only fault in Ed Caeser's superb article.
Wikipedia details the strikes: "After the construction of the carriers Yorktown and Enterprise, the U.S. was still permitted (by treaty) 15,000 long tons (15,000 t) to build a carrier. The Navy sought to squeeze a large air group onto a ship with nearly 25% less displacement than the Yorktown class. To save weight and space, Wasp was constructed with low-power propulsion machinery. Additionally, Wasp was launched with almost no armor, inadequate speed, and more significantly, no protection from torpedoes. Absence of side protection...'doomed her to a blazing demise.'"
The final strike was delivered by the fortunes of war. Aware of her limitations, Navy planners assigned the ship to less hazardous duties in the Atlantic and Mediterranean early in the war. But the loss of Lexington at Coral Sea and Yorktown at Midway left the U.S. in desperate need of carriers in the Pacific.
Was the average enlisted man on the Wasp aware that his ship was a poorly-prepared middleweight entering the ring against experienced heavyweights? Probably. But her officers almost certainly knew. Reading "Jackie's Letter" with that in mind leaves me with an even higher level of respect -- and a deeper sorrow -- for the brave crew of the Wasp.
16
Beautiful story. Well researched and written, illuminating another overlooked chapter in the WW2 story. Paul Allen would be proud.
9
This article touched my heart, Shea and Allen's family (and the entire crew) must be proud. I shared with my immediate family and can't wait to share with my 85 year old dad.
13
Extraordinary journalism. Incredible writing. Digital presentation at its most effective.
10
Great article. Period. And a reminder of the men and woman who served so that we can live our lives the way we do, hopefully with occasional reverence for those who did what they had to do to make it possible, including the ultimate sacrifice.
23
A wonderful piece of journalism. It reads like a page-turner you can't put down. And it wasn't just the Jackie letter that "made my eyes brim", but several other passages. I second the suggestions of other commenters that this piece should be in the running for a Pulitzer.
36
Thank you NYTimes, gives me hope of who is out there to be sure this country is forever land of the free and home of the brave. Bless the Shea family for sharing their insights and thanks to the Allen family for sharing their wealth in the most beneficial ways.
21
This piece is why the NYT is still the best "newspaper" in the world.
32
I read this article thinking the whole time about my late uncle who lied his way into the Navy after Pearl Harbor and served in the Pacific Theater. Like many, if not most, veterans of WWII, he rarely talked about his experience. It was surely because what he had seen made up a lifetime -- a surfeit -- of memories, many harrowing and some sure horrific, and he saw no good reason to state the obvious that war is, in fact, hell.
The story of the Wasp and its crew, and the story of the search for its remains, is heartwarming and yet melancholy. I found myself wanting to know that the carrier had been found, but I am pleased that its location will remain unknown, the souls of its crew forever undisturbed.
18
Thank you.
3
Brilliant.
6
Re photo_caption: "...A five-inch gun on the deck of the Wasp. The wreck’s precise location has not been made public..."
My father spent much of the early '40's on a destroyer playing tag w/ U-boats; ...getting him to discuss his experiences was like doin' a cardiac transplant on a 'wide-awake' patient!
As I cut-copied-pasted this photo-quote, the image of the 5" gun began to move, up/down, with the waves...as if to remind one, 'N, all: obtaining souvenirs from this war_grave is a crime!
I was/am offended by the crass commercialism which has afflicted the R.M.S. Titanic grave site!
5
Moving and superbly told.
What sturdy, good men so many seemed back then, compared to the pygmies we read about daily in today’s papers.
14
Wonderful article, a great mix of poignant history and modern ocean technology and mission success. That Ed Caesar was young when his father also perished while in service adds another dimension of human sadness. Fifty years ago I was a civilian oceanographer for the US Navy, I can say from experience that the ocean was and will always be a challenging place to work, modern technology not withstanding. Superb job by the entire crew of the Petrel. LCDR Shea's letter to his son is especially touching, he would have been so proud to have seen Jackie become a teacher at a highly respected university. These letters written during wartime carry a message that always touches ones heart, the writer always knowing that he may not make it back. A great example of this is the letter written during the Civil War by a Union officer, Sullivan Ballou, a week before he died in the First Battle of Bull Run in 1861. People just don't write like this anymore.
http://www.civil-war.net/pages/sullivan_ballou.asp
19
This is a prime example of why I subscribe to the NY Times.
11
Fantastic article! Would love a fact check based on an obit for the navigator, John F. Greenslade, in the Post says he was a pilot on the Wasp and not a navigator. Great opportunity to force the Post to print a correction if you’re right.
3
This story is why I subscribe to th NYT. Worth a months subscription cost all on its own. Thank you
9
Cannot wait to watch as a documentary on Netflix!
2
Wonderful article...with the bonus of a pelagic whitetip, Carcharhinus longimanus, in the background of the image showing the Petrel's AUV. Sadly, their Pacific population has declined by 80-90% of their former status.
6
"In the meantime, take good care of Mother. Be a good boy and grow up to be a good young man. Study hard when you go to school. Be a leader in everything good in life. Be a good Catholic, and you can’t help being a good American. Play fair always. Strive to win but if you must lose, lose like a gentleman and a good sportsman. Don’t ever be a quitter either in sports or in your business or profession when you grow up. Get all the education you can."
Wow. Just wow. "The Greatest Generation".
36
As I read this article, I realized that the former baseball field at Boston College must be name after Jack Shea. I have walked and tailgated on that field many times. With that said, what a wonderful piece of journalism and thank you for making me aware of Jack Shea.
https://www.bc.edu/bc-web/bcnews/athletics-recreation/sports/goodbye-to-shea-field.html
6
Read these words from Lt. Commander Shea, which summarize the sense of moral purpose with which Americans fought WWII, and think of how absolutely opposite America was in its apartheid-worthy treatment of African Americans and Native Americans in particular:
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To me, these words drive home just how essential it was for the United States to repair the grave injustice of pervasive racial apartheid and plunder. It also drives home just how severe the cost has been for our country having fallen so far short of what was necessary.
9
This stunning article alone is worth subscribing to the New York Times. Thank you for great journalism.
6
Wonderful piece! Thank you.
2
I'm so glad the NYT has made comments available for this article. I was spellbound by this article earlier this morning. The letter by John Shea and the image of the helmet at the bottom of the Pacific are going to leave an indelible impression on me.
6
It's articles like this that make me sincerely appreciative of the New York Times and it's dedicated staff and contributors. From the bottom of my heart, thank you all.
5
Someday we will all be gone, all of humanity. What or who will search for our remains. I hope they find something inspiring rather than pity us.
1
Great story, Ed.
Thank you
1
I need your help.
Have been looking for my Uncle's Ben Davis's remains, his death certificate has the latitude and longitude where his Navy NE-1 plane went down with him in it. It's just off Seattle Washington, near Smith and Lopez Island. I've invested over forty thousand dollars trying to find it. I may have found it but need to get closer its in 350 feet. I have notebooks full of documentation related to the plane and mission. I'm 71 and not sure how much more time I have to find the plane and get his remains.
They were doing torpedo practice and sent out four TBF's and two NE-1's to mark the torpedo hits. On the way back his plane went down, the spotter with him got out, but he couldn't get my Uncle out, he was still in the plane.
The Government will not assist because it wasn't in a act of war.
I'd be willing to share any details with anyone or organization offering assistance.
thanks
tom
10
A footnote: Forrest Sherman subsequently served as Admiral Nimitz’s chief planning officer and can be seen standing behind Nimitz during the surrender ceremony aboard the battleship Missouri. After the war he served as Vice Chief of Naval Operatios, commander of the U.S. Sixth Fleet, and from November 1949 until his death in July 1951 as Chief of Naval Operations. He is the namesake for two destroyers, DD-931 and DDG-98.
8
Outstanding writing.
2
Well done. Thank you!
2
The tension got too much for me. When I was half way through the article I skipped to the end to see if the Wasp had been found.
1
Great article reflecting enduring values that should remain as the bedrock of what this country stands for. Thank you and thank the crew of the Petrel.
9
Hit hard on me. My dad was torpedoed by German sub in 1943 off the US coast while on convoy duty. USS Plymouth was a converted yacht owned by a Vanderbilt, one of top 10 in world. Made in Germany, had a sea plane on rear deck and used for global science expeditions. Thing is the ship also has a mixed location. Convoy was day or so out of NY harbor heading south to Key West. One report had ship sunk near NJ and another has it off coast of NC. Given the censorship of the time it was several days before reported on front page of NYT, just small mention along with other larger ships and battles. Plymouth sank in minutes being hit right in diesel tanks. Likely other ships in convoy have a fairly precise location not mentioned in dad's record.
Not all the fights were Europe & Pacific. Thanks for story.
16
I don't think I would call the USS Indianapolis "infamous". Paul Manafort is "infamous". The Indianapolis was tragic. But thank you for this article.
9
Brilliant, sensitive, respectful. Thank you for taking your readers along on this adventure.
9
Bravo. Beautifully researched and written. Thank you NYT’s.
3
I can't think when was the last time that I have been moved to such deep emotional responses by the recounting of a historical catastrophe - if ever quite like this. Perhaps not unlike encountering the terrible truths of the Holocaust, which we're reminded of every day now in this atmosphere of present hate and must continuously contemplate, not forget. This essay contains just about everything human about us, for better and worse, from the horrors of war to the inspiration of heroism. A father writing to his son with such wisdom and love; and loss, the terrible losses of war. The story of this search will now never be forgotten, but cherished for its naked humanity. Thank you, explorers, and you, the writer.
19
In our search for the next President of the Unites States, we could do no better than to hold each potential candidate up to the standards expressed so simply, yet so eloquently in Lt. Cmdr. Shea's letter to his son.
19
Fantastic article in so many ways.
Wonderful that the US is still looking for all the shipwrecks as well as the MIA in Vietnam.
5
@Thoughtful1 the US isn’t. This is a private venture.
3
Remarkable story, and excellent reporting.
The USS Wasp is not as well known here as the USS Lexington and the USS Yorktown, both involved in the Battle opf the Coral Sea (4-8 May 1942). Or the USS Houston, commemorated on an Australian $5 coin of 2002.
The USS Wasp was sent to the Coral Sea area to replace ships lost in the Coral Sea battle. U.S. Naval actions in the Coral Sea were vital in securing Australia as a base for the ultimately successful defeat of Japan 3 years later.
The Japanese intent was to secure Port Moresby (PNG) as a base to disrupt the lines of communication between Australia and the west coast of the U.S. A Japanese invasion of Australia never got beyound a Japanese War Cabinet discussion. The Cabinet realised that that was impossible, but securing their perimeter by capturing Port Moresby was possible.
The role played by the U.S. Navy is still remembered here. See: https://www.awm.gov.au/articles/encyclopedia/coral_sea/doc
Incidentally, the luckiest ship in the U.S. Navy must be the cruiser USS Chicago. In 1942 it was attacked by torpedos from a Japanese midget submarine in Sydney Harbour, which missed, passing underneath the Chigago, and also by a German U-Boat in Hobart, Tasmania in 1945; again atorpedo passed underneath instead of hitting it.
Finally, listen to this piece from Richard Rodgers' "VIctory at Sea"; "The Theme of the Fast Carriers": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dL29E-jrvMg
and then read the comments, some of which are very moving.
7
@Bruce Stafford Sadly the USS Chicago (CA-29) was sunk in 1943, torpedoed by Japanese aircraft. The second incident involved a later USS Chicago named in honor of the first.
As for the USS Lexington, Yorktown and Houston three tough ships with gallant crews who fought to the end.
I worked with a lady who's father was on the Yorktown at Coral Sea. At Midway he volunteered to go back to the abandoned ship as part of a scratch crew attempting to save her. He was on board when the Japanese sub fatally torpedoed her but survived to become the father of the lady I knew.
5
What a wonderful story this; a much-needed antidote to current stories of greed and self above others.
9
This article is why I will always read the NYT. Irrespective of the noise in politics, it’s the people like John J Shea that make our country so wonderful .
6
I was 2 and a half when my WW11 Veteran father died. He served but did not die in war. He fought a war with the times he lived in. Within five years of marrying, he was a father of four(including twins, and a partner with his two brothers in a lumber business. He was big and tall and he smoked. There is 8mm film to prove it. He loved his wife and children but they did not get enough time with him as his braun was called for at the growing business. It was all too much for him. He died of a heart attack, while asleep one night. I have had the most sad life because of his death and my mom's inability to stop loving him even when she could not find him again in the bottom of a liquor bottle. I am alive, just barely age 60 and I don't know what keeps me going. It is awful to grow up without a father not matter how much people try. Its just different. To that end, we could ELIMINATE guns from this country as other countries have. We really could. I know, the right to bear arms. So? Against what? There truly is not a single reason for guns to be. We could stop involving ourselves in wars around the world too. Lets work on humanity first not guns.. There are many organizations doing fine work towards that end and we need to bring them together. I miss my father still, though I was two and he has been dead for 58 years. In his memory, and for ALL the children growing up without their fathers unnecessarily, we could stop guns and war. Truly give peace a chance, I have a plan.
13
@A Citizen, I was sad to read your post. My father survived the sinking of the USS Wasp and he lived until I was 24. So I had my father a lot longer then you had yours. I don't have any answers for all the troubles of the world, including guns and war, but I wish you well and I appreciate the fact that you hope for peace. I do too.
10
@Nora Othic.
Thanks and I need to add we lost a talented carpenter when my dad died. I never turned to drugs or alcohol but did turn to food instead of to people. Life is OK though,m its not all bad and I am happily retired. Sorry you lost your dad so young.
1
@A Citizen marching in a political agenda into this story is a disservice, and abuse, of the people remembered in this story
I lived in Australia for four years and they have less first Amendment (look for the comments section in an Australian media outlet and learn why there is none) , less second amendment, less fourth and fifth amendment rights than we do. sorry but the Bill of Rights has been fought for and I don want to live where stop and frisk is legal, where warrant requirements are way lower, or for that matter where there is no double jeopardy protection and no right to a jury.
Thank you for this story and posthumous thanks to Paul Allen as well.
3
I haven't felt pride in my country since the last presidential election. This story is a welcome testimony to America's potential for greatness.
Thanks to the author and to Paul Allen for showing what can be achieved with a great fortune built on technical genius rather than useless schemes, corruption and collusion.
11
Great reminders in many ways of what is important in life.
1
As I read this beautiful, heart felt piece, I hear the news from the next room. The presidents campaign manger is sentence to prison for evading taxes and defrauding the government, while the wealthiest among us engaged in a scheme to pay off the best collages in the country so their children could gain entry. I don't believe Mr Shea and his brave comrades died for this.
15
Incredible story, beautifully told. Thank you. You should get a Pulitzer for this.
3
“To not be missing forever,” Christine said. “That seems important.” In a piece of stunning excellence and chock full of memorable language, these jumped out at me most of all.
I shall read Commander Shea's letter to his son, Jackie, again...just as soon as my eyes stop tearing up.
8
In an age of Twitter ridiculousness, this is a beautiful piece of long form writing. The closing two paragraphs were stunning. Many thanks to the Times for printing this.
19
Well Done sir. Beautiful story
2
If he hasn't already, Paul Allen should receive the Medal of Freedom. It's hard to imagine anyone putting great wealth toward a more important and humane cause. And Ed Caesar should win the Pulitzer for his words that allow us all to share Allen's gift. Thank you, Gentlemen.
8
As a father of a two year old that letter hit me hard.
This was really great reading. Thank you to the author for bringing this story to light
4
My father served in WWII on board the USS Franklin and the USS Cabot. Your article brought home, in startling clarity, how my life, my mother’s life and my sister’s life would not have been if dad would have fallen victim to the weapons of war. My continued thanks and support of the NYT and journalism. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
9
Reading this pitch-perfect article, I was especially struck by a line in the Jackie Letter - "Be a good Catholic and you can't help being a good American."
Would that our current political discourse would truly recognize that you can be a good Catholic, Muslim, Jew, Hindu, Buddhist, committed Atheist, etc., and still be - through and through - a good American. John J. Shea's words are potent, loving, thoughtful, and still timely over 70 years after he wrote them on the Wasp.
9
Great article. It's cool that part of Paul Allen's legacy is finding sunken American warships...and perhaps bringing some closure to families who lost loved ones at sea.
4
Fantastic piece of reporting, thank you.
2
Those final lines... wow. What a great piece.
1
This such a well written article. Thank you Mr. Caesar.
3
Really well written and interesting piece of history. This is why I subscribe to the NYT.
2
Outstanding piece, as everyone already mentioned. The long takeaway that perhaps we haven’t dwelled on much is that Microsoft’s two billionaires gave back a lot. Gates trying so hard to save young lives in sub-Sahara Africa etc. and Allen’s giving away a heap of cash. These guys give me a sliver of hope in this increasingly divisive and selfish world.
4
An incredible story, well told by the NYT. The letter, which I did not know about, has become one of my favorite things and will guide me, even as a father.
Thank you to those who served, and lost their lives to stop the spread of fascism, authoritarianism, bullies. Thank you for defending our values and making our country possible.
6
Such a fine piece of journalism. We need, as a country, to pay honor to the fine journalists again. You make us better.
6
Fantastic article!
The quality of the photos is very impressive, especially the one captioned "The Petrel lifting its R.O.V. out of the sea and back onto the ship after a dive......"
I have been similarly impressed with the quality of other photos accompanying some other Times articles in recent years ( online )
5
Wonderful article. I cried so touching. I love it when you find a piece where you are educated and truly touched in a 20 minute read. I enjoyed the video clips and pictures I actually cheered Thanks!
4
I applaud your efforts, Ed, to dive in so deep on this article and to show the readership what love of family and country and faith in God looked like in those darkest times after Pearl Harbor. I had the pleasure of reading Ancient Greek (Lysias’ speech vs. Eratosthenes, an oligarchic tyrant) with Prof. Jack Shea at Boston College - a humbler man you will not meet!
The letter of Lt. Commander Shea is simply amazing and one that my dad, a sailor during the Korean War, has rightly praised over the decades. Seeing it here again is a delight; I shall diffuse widely.
Lastly, you managed to weave serious research and storytelling together seamlessly. Your own personal connection with Jack’s experience sublimates the whole, while the comment section has brought out so many important voices. ‘Ever to excel’ - the Homeric
motto of BC - well accords with your writing. Abundant thanks!
13
Ed Caesar & the NYTimes, What a truly wonderful article.
This is the first I had read about World War II naval officer named Lt. Cmdr. John Joseph Shea and his letter to his son. I was struck by how encompassed it was in providing his guidance and love.
The combination of historical information with today’s challenges in locating these historical wrecks was so enlightening.
Thank you for sharing with us.
8
An incredible technical feat described with the perfect blend of factual information, emotion and sensitivity. A truly compelling, unforgettable article written by a talented writer. Thank you Ed!!
7
This is a simply wonderful article by Ed Caesar, thank you.
But even more magnificently written is Lt. Cmdr. John Joseph Shea's letter to his son Jackie. It should be required reading for every citizen in this country and those who want to become one.
At the end of the recent Congressional hearing with Michael Cohen testifying, Representative Elijah Cummings included in his concluding remarks the line: "We are better than this".
Shea's letter and his sacrifice and that of so many other men and women during war shows that some of us can live up to (and die for) Cummings's plea.
Sadly though, especially at the top in business and politics, the numbers of those who are "better" are far lower than they used to be.
20
Thank you to the late Paul Allen and the crew for pursuing this very important mission of locating our lost ships. This is made more poignant to me because my Dad was a Marine Aviator, flying in the South Pacific, including Henderson Field at Guadalcanal, during the early years of the War. Very well done article.
8
Such a wonderful article. It almost read like a great novella.
5
What a wonderful article. I’m a fan of anything to do with marine exploration (I did a Masters in it - sidescans are wonderful things) ever since Bob Ballard’s Titanic book. Also interested in history and navies - so this article is like catnip. The fact it’s so well-written only adds to the fact. Thank you!
8
This article was incredible and made me cry. My grandfather was a swim away in the ship and he died about 15 years ago. I learned all about the UssWasp Cv7 when I started taking my grandfather to the sips reunions. I met many wonderful men and they truly were the greatest generation. We promised the shipmates we would continue meeting until the last shipmate couldn’t come. We met last year and had one shipmate who is 98 come. Thank you to all the crew and who took the time to find the Wasp and for Ed who wrote this article. God bless you all
Belinda
36
“To not be missing forever,” Christine said. “That seems important.”
Ed Caesar has authored one of the most extraordinary pieces of writing I have ever been privileged to read and I think that those ten words above sum up not simply the significance of his piece but, moreover, of the efforts undertaken by those who dedicated themselves to locating the U.S.S. Wasp.
I was wholly unfamiliar with the story of the Wasp and the story of the "Dear Jackie" letter. My thanks to Mr. Caesar and to the NYT for enlightening me as to both.
Someone substantially wiser than I has pointed out that it is the duty of the living to honor the dead. Mr. Caesar's piece does so - and it does so in a manner that is nothing short of extraordinary.
31
What an incredibly moving piece of journalism. Thank you Mr. Caesar.
One has to be made of wood not to be moved by the letter John Shea wrote to his son Jack. It was difficult for me to read it off of my computer screen because the tears interfered with my vision.
There is something universal in his letter. I wasn't a father yet when I served in Vietnam in the 1960s, but if I was, that would be the kind of letter I would have wanted to send to my children.
Reading it made me sad that John Shea's life was cut short by the war, but proud to call him a brother veteran, a man of principle who loved his family, and who in death became an example for us all.
25
And may your soul have fair skies and following seas. Thank you for your ultimate sacrifice for us all.
4
That letter should be required reading for all citizens. What an inspiration! I hope his son grew up to live up to those ideals.
13
@Joseph It should be required reading by members of our administration.
7
@Dale I think teenagers should be made to copy it out in longhand cursive every year.
1
Thank you for this story! My grandfather, Frank E. Bowser, was a flight surgeon on the Wasp. He was injured jumping off the fantail of the ship but survived to finish a career in the Navy and become a successful artist in Key West. I expect he shared some morning coffee with John Shea in the officer's mess on the way to the Coral Sea.
38
@Walter Schlech MD, MACP, FRCPC My father [ER Crabtree] served on the USS Wasp CV-7 until the day she was torpedoed. He survived this attack and retired after 20 years as an enlisted sailer in the US Navy.
2
An excellent article...the letter...the navigational accounts...the search. Well written and highly informative. It more than honors Shea...it puts the reader on that sinking, burning ship right next to him when this brave man (operating under the most horrific of conditions) gave his life to save others. And once again, we learn of the terrible efficiency of the Japanese Long Lance torpedo for which the US Navy was ill prepared.
16
Completely captivating. This is journalism at its very best. I thought I was reading "National Geographic" or "Smithsonian." Hats off to The New York Times for chronicling this extraordinary story of this marriage of history, modern technology, and that ever wondrous and mysterious side of the human spirit to explore.
30
Such a phenomenal piece of writing this is. The author intertwines a captivating and heart-wrenching piece of forgotten history with an impressive take on modernized philanthropy. I could not stop reading. Bravo, Ed Caesar.
25
@Nickolas Marcano forgotten history?! I think not. But if you believe so you might enjoy the story of the 14th Army in Burma (or the China-Burma-India Theater as Americans remember it) during Workd War Two. They referred to themselves at the time as The Forgotten Army. No the brave men of the USN have not been forgotten, any more than the other men and women who fought in that War, not by those of us who have studied it.
2
Hi Ralph,
I appreciate your reply. Please, allow me to clarify my reference with an excerpt from the article:
“But she also found the discovery thrilling, in part because it would mean that a new generation of people would have a chance to read her grandfather’s letter.”
The forgotten piece of history I’m referring to is the letter. Caesar describes the fame and notoriety it gained upon surfacing, even before Shea was pronounced KIA. Sadly, as with many pieces of inspirational treasures, it was forgotten, at least by the many. Assuming your prior knowledge, you sir, are the few.
1
I could not stop reading this article and then sat with tears streaming while I reflected on the courage and loss. LCDR. Shea's wisdom and foresight in the Dear Jackie letter is inspiring and heartbreaking, and gave those lost men a voice. Surely this article qualifies for, and is deserving of nomination for a Pulitzer Prize for feature writing. How can we make this nomination happen? Mr. Caesar's article deserves such recognition. The Navy Hymn provided the background as I read:
" Eternal Father, strong to save,
Whose arm hath bound the restless wave,
Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep
Its own appointed limits keep;
Oh, hear us when we cry to Thee,
For those in peril on the sea! "
40
@NavyWife I too am sitting in my living room with tears in my eyes.
I am overwhelmed by the intensity and humanity of this magnificent writing.
6
This is a magnificent piece. Thank you, Ed Caesar.
17
What a beautiful tale, and how worthy a trip down memory lane. In an age where people are so focused on themselves and on making money at the expense of all else, it's refreshing and humbling to read of those that made the ultimate sacrifice for our sake.
Ask not what your country can do for you- ask what you can do for your country is a mantra that needs to be brought to the fore once again.
15
My dad saw combat in WW2 and this article reminded me of his sacrifices as a soldier, his love of country, and his love of science and technology.
I have already shared this article with friends who I know will appreciate it as much as I did.
Thank you.
12
Thank you, NYT’s, for publishing the beautiful and sad letter Dear Jackie letter. It reminds me to be thankful that I was able to grow up and spend time with my father (an artillery Captain in Patton’s 3rd Army) and spend time with and watch my two sons grow up into fine young men.
John Shea and his familial descendants should be proud his memory lives on and still positively affects the lives of others.
13
What a great article. Excellent work, Ed!
9
What a great and well-written article! Thank you! I will be sharing this with my friends and family. I agree with another reader in that this has made my subscription to the NYT worth it.
11
The information in this article reminded me of the society in which I grew up. Born in 1935, I remember WWII quite well. I can remember hearing President Roosevelt declare war on Japan on the radio when I was in the first grade. Our principal played it for the students to hear. Many people lost family members in the war. My mother's first cousin was shot down on his first bombing mission over Sicily. Another cousin was captured in the Philippines and spent four years as a Japanese prisoner of war. The letter written by Lt Cdr. Shea expressed the high morals, sense of duty, and responsible mode of conduct of that era, which unfortunately is rather scarce in today's society. Reading this article took me back to another time, which was fraught with heartache and loss, but also exhibited the willing sacrifice of so many people. Money was not a big deal then as it is now. I miss those days and my family members who are no longer here. However, I know that they, along with all the brave servicemen who died in WWII have gone to a place of higher consciousness. I send them much love and thanks for all they did. May their reward in the higher realms be adequate to thank them for their bravery and their sacrifice.
52
OUTSTANDING! The entire article was better than I could have ever expected. LCDR Shea's letter to his son was the best part of the article for me. If only the America of today could have lived up to the thoughts of LCDR Shea. I could say many things about this but this is not the article to bring it up. God Bless the men of the Wasp and all those who have defended the greatest country in the world.
29
I am so grateful for this article. My grandfather died on the USS Scamp. He lived on and is known by my daughter because we saved the letters he wrote to the 3 boys he had when the sub was sunk. I can't imagine living the fantasy of knowing that he was found. It is a peculiar pain to love and long for someone who now belongs to the sea. To this day, we remember and call each other on the November day the sub was reported missing.
22
This was a really wonderful article. I am a pretty huge WW2 history buff (grandfather was in the Pacific) and id never heard this before. Touching, well written, great nerd appeal on the high end tech. Thanks!
19
Incredible story and history in this article. The combination of technology, history, and humanity make this such a great read. Highly recommend!
17
Thank you for this story. My father, Bert H. Oldham, was on the USS Wasp when it was sunk. He was the chief petty officer at that time, I believe. He told me that he was in the water for about 17 hours before he was picked up. He was with several sailors who were hanging onto a piece of debris and another sailor was spread-eagled on top and wouldn't let anyone else on it because he couldn't swim. He also mentioned the water being on fire and the sharks. He was a "mustang" and a "China hand" and would have been about 38 in 1942.
54
@Nora Othic. My father, Lieutenant Commander John A. McGlinn of Philadelphia was a torpedo bomber on board the Wasp when it was sunk. He was overcome by fumes from the fire and passed out. He was revived and ran from one end of the ship to the other to retrieve secret documents for his squadron before he dove overboard. He received a medal for his valor and his citation hangs in my office today. After the Wasp sunk, he was transferred to the USS Hornet where he continued flying missions for a squadron called “The Uninvited” until the end of the war. My father died in 1974 and piecing together his story is very difficult. I’d love to learn more about your father’s experience.
13
@Evan McGlinn, thank you for your reply, and my gratitude and appreciation for your father's valor. My father joined the Navy in 1919 when he was 16 (he lied about his age.) He was born in 1904 and his mother died of TB when he was two, following the death of his two sisters. He was the youngest of four boys on a Missouri horse and mule farm, and he and his next oldest brother started getting in trouble, so his father sent them off to Kemper Military Academy in Boonville, MO. He ran away to St. Louis and joined the Navy. He was immediately sent to China where he spent the next 10 years on the Yangtse River on shore patrol. WWII was the end of his service, and he had risen as high as an enlisted man could (chief petty officer) and was promoted to Lieutenant II after retiring. Although he retired from the Navy, I was born in 1954, so I never was a "bean brat." He died in 1978.
7
@Nora Othic My father Jerome J Hochberg was a Lt. Commander on the Wasp when it went down. He also spent time in the water, floating around amongst the sharks that "were more frightened than we were" and left him alone. He saved his oil soaked life vest. He was a young man of 25 or so at the time.
2
Lt. Commander John Shea's letter to his son and his heroism after the Wasp was torpedoed are deeply moving. It is good to be reminded.
This article is a reminder how hard fought the Pacific naval war was in 1942 as the U.S. Navy slowly took the offensive against a very formidable foe. By the end of that year the Navy had broken the power Japanese Navy but the cost was very high. The loss of the Wasp and the ordeal of her crew is one example of many.
33
Fantastic article with great historical and personal significance.
My grandfather, John, joined the Navy at age 17 and served on the USS Wasp. He kept the famed photograph of his listing former ship prominently displayed in his home before he passed. His vivid tales of that day included playing checkers at the time of the torpedo's impact and the resulting force of the explosion knocking his shoes clean off. He leapt from the deck into the Pacific, ablaze from the leaking fuel, and clung to debris amidst circling shark fins until rescue arrived. The USS Laffey picked him up, only to come under lethal enemy fire shortly thereafter, and also sink. He often joked, flexing the Navy anchor on his muscular forearm, I shouldn't go on boat trips with him.
Thanks Ed for resurfacing this historical narrative of sacrifice.
83
@Jake My father [ER Crabtree] served on the USS Wasp CV-7 until the day she was torpedoed. He survived this attack and retired after 20 years as an enlisted sailer in the US Navy
2
@Jake My father served on the Laffey (DD459) and I have a picture of it coming into port with survivors of the Wasp. It was sunk a few months later (October 1942) but my father was lucky enough to survive and to go on and serve on the USS San Juan and then the USS California until the end of the war. I don't expect they are searching for sunken destroyers.
2
@cfbell1 Sorry, correction. Laffey was sunk on Nov 13, 1942, and lies in "Iron Bottom Sound."
Wow. That letter. I teared onto my dinner plate tonight. Made me think of my own dad, while not a vet, yet who I strive to posthumously impress every day.
Beyond that, just an excellent article. Fascinating.
Thank you.
38
An excellent article, and an amazing gift from Paul Allen.
I wish every school kid in America could read this and feel the joining of past and present.
38
Thank you! This is so moving and Have a few tears to shed.
I am sending this to my children and grandchildren to remind them of the sacrifice one took to save our country.
Neil
28
I really enjoyed reading this well written piece, and Shea's granddaughter is right...reading the Dear Jackie letter was amazing and, as a veteran and father of two, very moving. Theirs truly was the Greatest Generation. I'd also like to commend the photographer, those photos were very well done. The photos added a great deal of depth and impact to the story. Great article, congrats on a job well done.
24
I am struck by the eloquence and love communicated in LCDR John Shea's letter to his son.
The letter was completely devoid of anger, yet it was filled with courage as the writer gave to his son in perfect prose, advising him how to lead a good life, and to do so with honor and grace.
I hope Jackie has been able to follow the path his father suggested. I suspect there are many who have read his letter have the same emotions I have right now, Jackie's father was a hero both in battle and having had the foresight to make sure his message got through.
It is striking to me how beautiful John Shea's handwriting was, having mastered an art of communication rarely used nowadays to communicate feelings as well as concepts. Shea's thoughts were clear, showing evidence of a good man with honorable values, knowing why was where he was, and accepting it.
He is a role model for me, even though I am over 70 now.
I just hope all Americans can recapture the essence of LCDR Shea's letter and try to emulate his genuine integrity, devoid. We badly need more people like John Shea.
51
Thank you. Simply, Thank you Mr. Caesar for this remarkable work of such beauty and grace.
31
Re: Paul G. Allen:
Grateful Seattle area resident here; member of the Musicians Association of Seattle, American Federation of Musicians.
Mr. Paul G. Allen's passing was sadly noted in the local union publication that also commemorated his continuous 20-year membership.
As you may not have known, Mr. Allen was a gifted guitarist and sometimes jammed in union houses. Please find me another billionaire anywhere on earth who was a 20-year union man.
Just another facet of a remarkable, generous, talented man.
R.I.P. Mr. Allen.
58
Archangelo: I thought you were from North Dakota??!!
1
@John Ashcroft
AHA! A fellow soul who knows all about the University of Southern North Dakota at Hoople, e.g. USND@H . . . and the college paper is the Hoople Scoop, of course.
I have never laughed as hard as . . . you know.
2
This is a beautiful distillation of writing, science, exploration, logic, humanity, history, and patriotism. Very well done.
59
Well done, Ed Caesar. Well done.
So touching. So real. Truly wonderful writing.
43
A wonderfully tantalizing story of the perils of naval combat service and the perseverance of these searchers. Very satisfying to see that human intelligence, unlike AI, incorporates emotional imagination.
20
This was so moving, thank you so much for sharing this with us all. I got chills throughout the article. Just, thank you.
23
@Fallon: Agree absolutely wonderful narrative.
What a beautifully written story. Ed Caesar has combined military and social history, tragedy, horror, love, and family in a story about scientific work. I'm in tears.
30
What a great story, so beautifully written. Thank you.
40
Good on you, Ed Caesar. This was the most incredible piece I've ever read in the NYT.
In particular, I appreciate the genuine feelings shown by the author. His respect for the lives of the men who served brought this story home. Thank you.
52
I so enjoyed this article. Best thing I've read so far in 2019!
21
I read this wonderful article on behalf of my Dad, who served on Guadalcanal with the 46th Seabees. He helped build Henderson Field and the island docks. Inquiries of war experiences yielded discussions of the naval war just offshore; beginning prior to their landing through deployment to other locations in the Admiralty Islands. His descriptions of night battles was haunting, given the then unknown human toll. Mr. Ceasar helps myself relive difficult, yet enlightening discussions with my Dad. Thank you!
35
This has to be some of the BEST writing and research ever done by the NYT. When I was a kid I had a model of WASP. If I remember correctly she was launching and recovering aircraft at the time she was attacked. Aircraft carriers must turn and steam into the wind while conducting flight ops, and this need tragically doomed WASP. Thank you very much for opening this article with LCDR Shea's letter to his son. It was extremely touching and it perfectly complemented this amazing article.
48
Beautiful, gripping, touching.
Thank you.
19
One of the best, most gripping pieces of journalism that I’ve ever read.
Thank you.
23
Thank you for the excellent journalism and historical contribution to our knowledge of this ship. In my youth, I built a model of the USS Wasp, without an understanding of its crew, their history and sacrifices, and much more.
33
I had the honor of serving on the modern USS Wasp (LHD-1), the 10th US ship to carry that name. Everyone aboard whether officer or enlisted shared a common bond with all who have sailed in service to the country and often into harm's way.
There are few things as vast as the open ocean and few things which increase your interest in geography more than service afloat. And, there is one word which embodies what is special about naval service which becomes suffused into your very soul. That is the word SHIPMATE.
My cover is off for all who served aboard CV-7, the USS Wasp now resting on the Pacific seabed.
May fair winds and following seas give continued comfort to our sailors and Marines.
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Superb reporting about world-class research and adventure! My father was a Marine platoon-leader on Guadalcanal and later in his career worked on projects with the Glomar Explorer. I too had plangent memories as I read this piece. Thank you!
29
A great story, nonetheless. My Dad was in the submarine service in the Pacific war, so I understand the draw to this. The story may show what additional good deeds could be accomplished by Paul Allen's trustees. There is so much need in the world, it shouldn't be hard to spend down his (made with our help?) fortune.
27
I wish my Dad was still alive to read this wonderful article. He was an 18 yr old seagoing Marine in 1944 on the USS Shangri-La. He saw the USS Bunker Hill sink and helped rescue their crew. He worked in the '70s for Jacques Cousteau when the first diving saucers explored the ocean depths. Ed Caesar's insightful story highlights the human drama of an otherwise technical/scientific endeavor. It reaffirms why we must explore, and why the ocean has a strong emotional connection with our human story. Good job Ed!
47
This is exactly why I've subscribed to the NYTimes all these years. Truly incredible story-telling. What a journey that was - I had a tear in my eye at the end. Thank you so much for sharing this with us all.
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Wonderful article, thank you!
And thanks, too, to Allen's foresight and his team for continuing his legacy.
U.S.S. Wasp is also very familiar to the Brits. It was loaned for Mediterranean duty in the desperate defense of Malta, with Spitfires on board! - a brilliant story in itself. It was also labelled as being sunk by the Germans.
34
Truly remarkable journalism. The photos and video are breathtaking, and the descriptions of the vast unknown ocean offer a great context with which to view them. In addition to the technical elements, the human story that bookends the article is very much appreciated. I echo another comment - worthy of a Pulitzer indeed.
39
WW2 showed what the US can be, United in a fight for what is right. What is hardly ever mentioned though is the industrialists that made huge fortunes on the backs of the righteous Americans that were fighting for human decency. Yes, there were many profiteers whose sons also somehow suffered from bone spurs. What is glaring is that two of the most pro war people, Ronald Reagan and John Wayne never saw combat, but they sure did like to play soldiers on the screen. Wayne especially.
Conversely, Jimmy Stewart flew many combat missions and almost quit acting after the war because he considered it frivolous after witnessing the horrors of war. I can’t recall a movie that portrays Stewart in a movie glorifying war, unlike Wayne who kept it up through the Vietnam war. Funny how the hawks are all people that avoided actually serving.
My dad served in the Navy in the Pacific and never spoke of it.
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@Paulie
Very well said.
I never heard my Father mention his duty in Korea.
He was called up and did his duty. Never ever called attention to it. He did not vote for Reagan.
9
@Paulie
You can mention Ted Williams also. Pilot in two wars. He was the "real deal"--name the John Wayne airport after him.
10
Somehow had to tie this article to current-day politics, tossing in a anti-Trump comment - it was inevitable. Please let us simply read a good article without politics - just once. Pretty please?
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I don’t start to cry reading many newspaper articles, but I did today. The writing is truly superior. The bridging of the personal story of the Shea family with the epic story of the Wasp’s loss and ultimate rediscovery deeply moving.
To this day, I am pretty sure the largest portion of Americans who remain MIA are those lost at sea in the Pacific Theater of WWII. May they Rest In Peace, and as they rest, may Lt. Cmdr. John Shea and all who rest with him know that indeed they were on the right sight of history in a cause that was noble and just.
78
What a heart shattering and brilliant piece of writing. Kudos and thanks to Ed Caesar and to the Times for this. It is a reminder that in the worst of times, honor, integrity, duty, wisdom, love and compassion can still bloom. May Lt. Commander Shea be a blessed memory for us all.
38
Excellent story by Ed Caesar - made complete by the also excellent photos by David Maurice Smith. Thank you!
21
I agree that this story is a fine piece of writing and worthy of prizes. Nevertheless, it is the letter from the Navy officer to his
young son that must live for the ages.
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Very moving and brilliantly written. Congratulations to the crew of the Petrel for their dogged determination and hard work.
32
"There is no better recruiting sergeant for pacifism than a walking tour of the Western Front." This was my favorite line from the entire article. I had the sobering privilege of visiting Hiroshima where one of the atomic bombs was dropped. War is a disgusting thing that should be avoided at all cost. It brings to mind the quote "The most disadvantageous peace is better than the most just war." -Desiderius Erasmus-
As the son of someone who served on the carrier Independence I felt a personal connection to this article. I can't imagine what it would have been like being on that carrier when those torpedoes hit and the explosions that followed. The "toy in the sand box" shows a massive hole immediately next to the bridge that must be at least 75 feet in size. You can actually see aircraft still on the deck of what I believe is the stern of the carrier. This was an amazing find and I hope it brings closure to the families who lost someone that day.
I also must give praise for how well this article was written. It would be nice to see more journalism like this in a world that lacks good objective press. It gives much more meaning to the finding of this ship when it's story is properly shared.
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@Shaun: Very often true, but certainly not, when referring to the Second World War. Look at a map of what Japan had conquered, then read about the atrocities committed in all those places, from Manchuria down to the Dutch East Indies. The Wasp was lost in a just cause: stopping the Japanese from invading Australia.
9
@Shaun
I too visited Ground Zero in Hiroshima, back in the 90's. Very eerie having read the Hershey book when I was 12 in the late 50's. Hiroshima calls itself the City of Peace now, and has an excellent unbiased Peace Museum which I visited.
What surprised me greatly, and left me aghast, was that the information from that museum convinced me (pretty much against my will) that Hiroshima was a valid military target and that using the atomic bomb was the least bad means of bringing the war to a close. I had a hard time coming to terms with this, loathing war and the use of nuclear weapons and having Japanese friends and a love of Japanese culture (and later a part-Japanese daughter-in-law), but logically I had to accept this conclusion.
7
@Shaun
Roman saying: 'If you want peace prepare for war'.
Americans are born free, but freedom is not free and has
been paid for by the many who served, including Lt. Commander John Shea
5
Worthy of a Pulitzer Prize. Incredable example of first rate journalism.
77
Touching story, brilliantly told.
Thanks to Paul Allen and his legacy.
75
My great dislike of Windows and the whole MS ecosystem is changed by the fact that some of the money, and Mr. Allen's foresight, went to such an endeavor. Kudos !
37
Great Article. While the Petrel continues to make these amazing finds, it should join the ranks of the research and exploration vessels that live stream their dives. NOAA's Okeanos, The EV Nautilus and several others including the Falkor and Nekton expeditions make their discoveries available live, so that historians, researchers, and educators can share and collaborate in real time.
The Okeanos in particular makes live wreck dives, employing the necessary sensitivity that goes with visiting both a grave and a piece of property still owned by the U.S. Military.
14
This story brought tears to my eyes. My dad was in the Pacific during World War II.
All ordinary guys, all extraordinary; all in peril on the sea. "Jack's letter" speaks to open-hearted gentleness, modesty, and self-sacrifice.
Thanks to Mr. Allen for putting his money into scientific -- and profoundly human -- endeavors.
50
Now here was an article I cold not stop reading until I finished it!
Two comments.
I was impressed by the bravery and unselfishness of senior officers on the Wasp (I am sure enlisted men acted the same).
I am amazed that less than 200 died out of more than 2000 who were in that inferno.
60
The lost arts of penmanship and letter writing...
70
This incredible story reflects America at its finest.The Wasp is a monument to bravery and selflessness. The Petrel a promise fulfilled.
35
The author and New York Times merit a Pulitzer Prize for this extraordinary article.
68
I am in tears. Whoever nominates feats of journalism for a Pulitzer Prize, please remember this one.
49
Incredible story. Thanks Paul Allen for spending some his wealth on these endeavors. Governments couldn't justify spending money on such things. There is something to be said for the likes of Allen,Gates and Elon Musk and their wealth. This story sent me on a hour long trip of imagination this morning as have the discovery of other long lost vessels. Musk sending one of his cars to orbit with Mars, Gates and his cutting edge pet projects with diseases and nuclear technology have provoked similar thoughts of imagination of what happened in the past, what is possible in the future. Thanks to the skilled wordsmiths who write stories such as this...but I'm 2 hours late with the chores now.
28
An amazing story and exceptional piece of journalism. Once again the NYT shows us what a treasure it is and how lucky we are to have it as a resource. Thank you to the author too for an exceptional piece.
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What a great article! Thank you, Paul Allen. Very cool. Thanks to Kraft and crew, too.
17
Gratitude to Paul Allen & Crew for making this all happen. Cheers for the storytelling.
RIP, U.S.S. WASP
21
Fantastic article, a touch of much needed humanity during troubling times.
Thank you.
26
Wow!
What an amazing story!
A very fine piece of writing as well.
So many ships laying on the bottom of the ocean, that mark the spot where many people lost their lives during that great and terrible war. Someday wars will end, I long for that.
24
Breathtaking narrative! This is history that hits one in the gut! Thank you, New York Times, and Thank you, Ed Caesar for riveting writing, about a unique ship in our nation's World War II past!!!
30
Fantastic article, Ed! This article alone worth my annual subscription to NYT!
39
@Steve THIS 100%.
12
One of the finest pieces of short story writing I have ever encountered in this paper (or almost anywhere else for that matter).
Well organized, thoughtful, emotionally engaging, trenchant, fast moving, and written for an educated reader.
Very well done!
54
My Uncle SK3 Leonard I Kangas was lost on the WASP while working in the Storeroom with SK1 Henry Cooper in the area where the third torpedo hit. Leonard was born of Finnish immigrants in NH & he was an all-star Basketball known as ‘The Blond Blizzard’ who had been sought out by professional teams. His death was devastating to his parents & his loss still reverberates within the family. The final resting place of the WASP is also the final resting place of Leonard and the others. As such it is commendable that the ship was found & the site recorded as a memorial. Excellent reporting.
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@David Kangas
Bless him, and his shipmates. RIP.
36
@David Kangas May his memory be a blessing. My own father was a Marine who was badly wounded on Saipan; his companions went on to Iwo Jima, and were decimated. It was a terrible time for so many families, in the U.S. and across the world.
34
@David Kangas Hi David, I'm the letters editor at the Magazine. And we'd love to run your comment in our pages. Is it possible for you to send us an email at [email protected]?
The heroism of a patriot father and the heartbreak of a young boy etched on the tombstone of that ship miles below the surface of the Pacific. A parable for the ages and a reminder of what makes this country so wonderful and its mission so enduring. Thank you Mr. Caesar, but thank you most of all to John Shea and those like him. Your sacrifice rends my heart, but so lifts my spirit.
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@strokeman, well said.
I did not want to be drawn in, knowing the letter writer was dead but I was riveted. Could not stop reading the story in its entirety. Eloquently written, a story with paintings for my mind too. I loved it and it lifted my spirits. Would someone make sure you know who reads it. And then test him for his reading comprehension and ask for feedback on what this story meant to him who never served anything or anyone but himself.
12
This story is very beautiful, especially the parts about John Shea and his life. Thank you.
19
What a very sad story. What a wonderful story.
Mr. Paul Allen, the crew, the writer, thank you so much. And to the family we all share your feelings through our parents who worked so hard to do the correct things in life and how they all set examples we work to meet.
27
My uncle died on the Liscombe Bay, sunk by torpedoes near the Gilbert Islands on October 21, 1943. The ship had been commissioned a mere 2 months earlier. I wish the Petrel could find her. The loss of my uncle has hung over my family like a shroud all these years. "To not be missing forever, that seems important." Indeed. It is closure and peace, ancient grief resolved, knowing the end of a loved one's story.
102
Great story Ed Caesar! I look forward to more of your writing.
Thanks to Paul Allen and the crew of the Petrel for keeping our history in our thoughts and remembrances.
23
Narrative writing at its best. Well done, Ed Caesar. Well done, NYT.
72
To any who might wonder, why bother to find the USS Wasp, or an other gallant ship - couldn't the money be better spent on some more contemporary need...? Because history is not just facts in a book, but about memory and remembrance. For some still living, she went to the bottom only "yesterday," and by this homage is the past made present.
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@Mark
"To any who might wonder, why bother..." PBS recently broadcast and amazing episode of the Petrol's search and ultimate discovery of the U.S.S. Indianapolis. Any doubt of what finding these ships can mean to survivors and family members is wrenchingly and tastefully shown. While the show lacks the beautiful writing done for this article, it makes a perfect companion piece shown with equally beautiful photography. In both, one is both amazed by technology and moved by emotion.
12
@Mark
Out of this story -- and so many others over time -- comes the very essence of human existence, in all of its myriad parts...
5
Absolutely the coolest thing on the planet right now . . .
16
beautifully written. thank you for this.
22
I can only envy the life of the crew of the Petrel who live a life of discovery and adventure in their search to find ships that sank into the sea.
At the end of this article I cried for all the men lost at sea, when the Wasp sank below to its final resting place. I also thought of my Uncle Joe, whose plane was lost near Papau New Guinea while serving as a sergeant in the Army Airforce His plane was shot down by the Japanese and I would have loved to have known him.
36
Waking up this morning to slowly but fully immerse myself into this incredible tale of heroism spanning three generations left me awash with praise and gratitude to Jackie’s dad and lives he and lost seamen touched long after their final mission. God bless America.
29
My father survived the Wasp, and like many veterans he spoke little about his war experiences. But the one incident that he did recount was the sinking and his 80 foot jump to safety into a burning sea. He's been gone for 50 years, but he would be so gratified to know that the ship has been found.
268
My father didn't talk very much about his years on a destroyer escort during the war.
But when he taught me to swim and dive, he showed me how to do a "sailor dive" with the caution not to try it in a shallow pool. "The aim is to dive deep to get clear of burning fuel on the surface," he explained, "and then come back up as far away as you can."
61
My father, too, survived the Wasp's attack and subsequent sinking. At the time, he was assigned to one of the ship's defensive gun mounts. He recalled being surrounded by water in flames for hours whilst awaiting rescue by one of the carrier's escort vessels. He went on to serve a 25-year career in the Marines. RIP, pop!
27
@Don My father also spoke little of his experiences, but shared jumping off the deck into the ocean with his buddy. He described their uncontrollable laughter as they got ready and floating around outside a lifeboat with the sharks " who were more frightened than we were" as they waited for rescue.
14
Mr. Caesar's excellent piece on finding the Wasp brought tears to my eyes. Reading Jack Shea's letter, hearing how the Navy treats these shipwrecks, brought home for me the ultimate sacrifice our soldiers and sailors make to protect us. Perhaps knowing that people like the late Paul Allen and his crew are looking for the lost sailors brings our current Navy personnel some measure of comfort, knowing that if they too make that sacrifice on the ocean sea, someone will keep searching for them. May they all rest in peace.
118
I was so moved by this article! Thank you Ed Caesar! It is another confirmation of how much so many sacrificed to keep us all safe! And thanks to Paul Allen who made stories like this possible, which I am sure helped the families!
24
Thank you for this article.
It is a fine tribute to all those who fought and sacrificed for the US in WWII, and teaches a lesson about citizenship that is most needed today.
49
Incredible story, we love to hear how the narratives of heroes and engineers intertwine. But there is something else in this, the effect of a man's free imagination that -even after his death - is working over how we remember the incredible violence of the 20th Century.
Paul Allen was a free thinker, an aficionado of Jimi Hendrix, a wealthy eccentric who helped a lot of people too. His projects are the post-war antithesis of the grim engineers of death who created those destroyers, fighter planes and torpedoes. PCs, software, football teams, parties, guitars, made up his life. Paul was quite a "bro."
The greatest generation fought so we as a people could use our imaginations freely, not under a medieval aristocracy or a fascism's fantasy of restoring some imagined "pure" race of nobles. No Paul Allens under those regimes.
We need to trip out more as Americans. That's Allen's legacy. You don't need a pot of money, or drugs, to trip out. It's our duty as Americans to dream stuff up, there's no pursuit of happiness without a vision.
This article proves that wild thinking is no disrespect to war heroes and our ancestors. Quite the contrary.
84
"Grim engineers of death" are, of course, necessary to counter those in other countries whose mindset is very unlike that of navy man Shea or Mr. Allen.
Mr. Allen might very well have been a freethinker, as you say, and it is this quality perhaps that allowed him to earn the money that now fuels the endeavor of finding the navy equivalents of so many Arlington National Cemeteries.
20
“...a toy ship dropped in a sandbox.”
Rest in peace.
33
Compassion and drama, all woven to tell a real-life mystery. This is a superb and moving piece of journalism about gallantry and sacrifice. Many thanks to all who made the text, with accompanying graphics and video, possible.
164
@Ronald Prier
'Superb and moving piece' ' is so deserved.
1
This is one of the most incredible pieces of journalism I've ever read. Thank you.
60
I've been following the work of the Petrel for a while, and I've seen a few different news reports on it, but this one is undoubtedly the best.
22
The men - and the families - of the Wasp are not alone in their sacrifices for a purposeful cause greater than themselves. I suppose that all each of us as the living can do is to honor their collective commitment by the conduct of our daily lives. Be good; do good; don't be distracted by the noise.
37
This article is the NYT at it's best.
If that letter from Lt Cdr Shea does not break your heart, you do not have one. On Memorial Day, remember this letter and all the families like his who paid the highest price.
289