U.S. Destroyer Sunk By Japanese Forces With 200 Servicemen Aboard In WWII Found In Indian Ocean

The USS Edsall, a sunken American World War II destroyer, was found at the bottom of the Indian Ocean 81 years after it was sunk in battle by Japanese forces.

The ship sank on March 1, 1942, during an intense battle with Japanese warships and aircraft, with over 200 American servicemen onboard.

The USS Edsall, a 314-foot destroyer, served courageously in World War II’s early Pacific campaign.

On the tragic day of its sinking, the ship, nicknamed the “Dancing Mouse” by Japanese combatants for its skilled maneuvering to avoid enemy fire, evaded 1,400 rounds fired by Japanese battleships and cruisers.

Despite its evasive attempts, the ship was eventually destroyed by a coordinated attack from 26 Japanese dive bombers. After hours of fighting, the Edsall was struck by a devastating hit and sank, killing 185 U.S. Navy personnel and 31 U.S. Army Air Force pilots.

The Royal Australian Navy found the shipwreck, which is located about 200 miles east of Christmas Island and south of Java, in 2023.

However, the discovery was not revealed until November 11, which coincided with Veterans Day in the United States and Remembrance Day in other parts of the world.

In a statement, U.S. Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy remembered the sacrifice of those aboard the Edsall.

The USS Edsall’s discovery was made possible using “advanced robotic and autonomous systems” commonly used in hydrographic survey missions.

These technologies, deployed during an unrelated operation, helped in locating the wreck on the seafloor. The shipwreck, described as “a hallowed site” by Chief of Naval Operations Lisa Franchetti, is today considered a place of deep reverence for the United States Navy.

Vice Admiral of the Royal Australian Navy Mark Hammond said the ship’s legacy was crucial in both American and Australian naval history. He further added that the ship helped sink the Japanese submarine I124 off the coast of Darwin, Australia.

References: CBS News, NY Post