The USS Cruiser Houston
Capt. Albert Rooks went down fighting with the USS Houston on March 1, 1942.
Today, March 1, 2012, marks the 70th anniversary of the sinking of the USS Houston, the United States Navy Cruiser, that everyone called “The Galloping Ghost of the Java Coast.” The Houston and The HMAS Perth encountered a large contingent of the Japanese Imperial Navy on February 28, 1942 in waters known as Banten Bay in the Far Pacific theatre following an earlier battle in which American and Allied forces had fairly run the Japanese forces from their previous positions.
This time, the Houston and the Perth were up against all odds of survival and quickly came under heavy torpedo and artillery fire. Shortly after midnight, on March 1st, the Houston became the second of the two Allied ships to go down from the heavy assault. Of the 1,061 man crew, 368 survived and a handful of those battle combatants live on to this day to celebrate their bond with each other on this anniversary, March 1, 2012.
Captain Albert Rooks died amidst the flames on deck that night in 1942, directing counter attacks against the Japanese to the very end.
The USS Houston that went down in 1942 was the second American naval ship named for our city. It was originally commissioned for duty in 1929 at Newport News, Virginia and it served the nation proudly to the very end. For more complete information about the history of the USS Houston, please take a look at both of these following recommended links.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Houston_(CA-30)
The men of the Houston were all American souls, even fielding their own baseball club to compete with the other ships in the American Pacific fleet.
Houston can be proud of the men who served and died on the Houston that fateful day in World War II – as we also take comfort in the knowing that a special handful survive to celebrate their bond today.
It is small wonder that the World War II group is remembered today as our “greatest generation.” When it comes to old-time issues like loyalty and commitment to duty and country, and a God-fearing sense of responsibility for protecting the future of generations to come, we could use a few of them as candidates for President in 2012.
The USS Houston Baseball Club
Rest in Peace, men of the USS Houston. Thank you for representing our city and the country in a first class All American way.
Tags: Capt. Albert Rooks, USS Houston
The Pecan Park Eagle 
March 1, 2012 at 1:59 pm |
Amen. I think of the many men cut down in their youth and the many families that sacrificed their sons for this country and it makes me ill to see people today so hateful of our soldiers and so disrespectful for all they have done.
It’s fine to hate war and the unspeakable horrors of war but it is wrong to defame and demean the men and women who serve. They know the risks yet they bravely go and some don’t come home except in a bag or a box with all their potential gone. God bless their souls and may they find true reward for their courage and valor.
March 1, 2012 at 10:40 pm |
I’ll once again have the honor of singing the National Anthem at the Memorial Service for the USS Houston this Sat. at 2pm in Sam Houston Park. It will be a beautiful service. All are welcome to attend – it’s Free.
March 1, 2012 at 11:18 pm |
That’s wonderful, Matt. Now do us proud as we know you will. – WIth much appreciation too from all of us, – We, the People of Houston.