During my active career in military systems engineering, and as a naval
intelligence officer I had the opportunity, and significant honor, to meet
and work for genuine acknowledged military heroes. Two immediately come to
mind; VADM Lawson P. “Red” Ramage, USN, MOH (Medal of Honor), 2 Navy Crosses
and a Silver Star, and RADM Eugene B. Fluckey, USN, MOH and 4 Navy Crosses.
For readers in the United Kingdom and the former Commonwealth, as well as
others who may not be familiar, in order of precedence the Medal of Honor
ranks equivalent to the Victoria Cross, and the Navy Cross equivalent to the
Distinguished Service Cross. Both were redheads and both were exemplary
combat submarine commanders during WWII. VADM Ramage subsequently served as
Deputy Chief of Naval Operations and RADM Fluckey as Director of Naval
Intelligence, United States Navy.
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| VADM Lawson P. "Red" Ramage, USN MOH |
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| RADM Eugene B. Fluckey, USN MOH |
However, one of the most memorable heroes of WWII that I knew and worked
with for a number of years, was to the best of my knowledge, totally
unrecognized and unsung, to all but his closest friends and acquaintances.
His name was Nathan Frederick “Fred” Asher. For the nearly 20 years I knew
Fred, he had retired from the United States Navy, and worked as a marketing
representative for Honeywell Marine Systems Center, later renamed Training
and Control Systems Center, in West Covina, California. Both names were thin
cover for an operation that designed and produced naval weapon systems
(certainly not thermostats). These included the RUR-5 ASROC ASW missile
system, major components for the Mk-46 acoustic homing torpedo (one of
ASROC's payloads), dual-yield fuzing design for the W-44 nuclear depth
charge (ASROC's other payload), the SEAFIRE Electro-optical Fire Control
System, and the ASW Underwater Fire Control System, MK-116 (the first US
Navy digital fire control system for ASW).
With sincere apologies, in some ways it seems both ironic and appropriate that I cannot provide a single photograph of Fred for inclusion in this article.
With sincere apologies, in some ways it seems both ironic and appropriate that I cannot provide a single photograph of Fred for inclusion in this article.
Over time his associates all came to realize that he had absolutely
expended his entire lifetime supply of adrenaline during the day of 7
December 1941, at a place called Ford Island, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. Nothing,
and I mean absolutely NOTHING, could phase Fred!
As a young Ensign, just having two years previously graduated from the
United States Naval Academy, Fred was the senior officer present, in a group
with three other ensigns in the duty section (all the others were
reservists), and the designated Command Duty Officer, in the USS Blue
(DD-387). The USS Blue was the fourth ship of the USS Craven Class, and had
been commissioned in 1937. The ship was independently moored to a buoy
adjacent to the USS Phoenix (CL-46) (later ARA General Belgrano). Both the
Commanding Officer and the Executive Officer of USS Blue were ashore for the
weekend. The Commanding Officer had directed in the Night Order Book, that
under
no circumstances whatsoever
was the ship to get underway without either he, or the Executive Officer
being onboard.
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Note mistake in article not recognizing that at least one of the ensigns, namely Fred Asher, was regular Navy |
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USS Phoenix (CL-46) underway with way on, as well as under Japanese naval air attack, main channel, US Naval Base, Pearl Harbor, 7 December 1941 |
(Editorial note:This author very recently (27 May 2020) observed in a totally
unrelated television program, a unique very brief film segment. Rediscovered archival motion picture film footage taken the morning of 7
December 1941, while somewhat grainy and blurred, clearly shows the USS Blue
DD-387 underway in the main channel of Pearl Harbor. Although both sets of
hull numbers (bow and stern) are obscured, the ship’s characteristics are
clearly identifiable. All four of the ship’s 5"/38 gun mounts are well
elevated, and engaging the attacking Japanese aircraft. Research indicates
it was one of the first, if not the first, destroyers to get
underway.)
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USS Blue (DD-387) in South channel Pearl Harbor, underway 7 December 1941, General Quarters, AA Defense |
Commissioning of USS Blue (DD-387), left, and USS Helm (DD-388).
Norfolk Navy Yard, 27 May 1937
The following is taken from official US Navy documentation;
It should be related that the Acting Commanding Officer of Blue was Ensign Nathan F. Asher, only two years out of the Naval Academy. The other officers aboard were in large part Reserve Officers. The ship got underway promptly, opened fire with its machine guns at once, and got the 5-inch anti-aircraft battery firing within a few minutes. They shot down at least one Japanese plane, probably sank one enemy submarine, and acted as screen for fleet cruisers searching for the Japanese Fleet. When the gun captain of number 1 gun went to repair the ammunition hoist of number 2 gun he got on his knees and prayed, "Oh, Lord! Oh, Lord! Make this ammunition hoist work just this once." While he was praying with tears coming from his eyes, a tall colored man stationed in the handling room looked down and said, "Why, Smith, you got the oil turned off."
The following graphic shows USS Blue (DD-387) at the ship's initial moored position (Berth X-7, upper center right) Sunday morning, 7 December 1941, prior to commencement of the attack. Note the distance it had to transit in the channel, under continuous threat and intermittent direct attack, prior to clearing to seaward (in the graphic diagonally all the way down the channel past Ford Island to the lower left center).
This is a copy of the forwarding endorsement to Commander-in-Chief , U.S. Pacific Fleet by the Commanding Officer of the USS Blue, and Fred’s original report of what had occurred;
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DD387/A16
Serial 062 |
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FIRST ENDORSEMENT
to
ltr of Ens. N.F. Asher, USN, to Cincpac, dated Dec. 11, 1941. |
U.S.S. BLUE (DD387)
Pearl Harbor, T.H. December 12, 1941 |
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From:
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Commanding Officer.
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To:
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Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
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Subject:
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U.S.S. Blue -- Action during December 7 Air Raid, Report
of.
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Reference:
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(a) Cincpac Despatch 102102 of Dec., 1941.
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Forwarded with great pride in the excellent and efficient manner in which
all officers and men in the Blue at the time conducted themselves.
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Summarizing the
basic letter
to accord with reference (a) and clarify certain items, the following is
submitted.
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Offensive measures.
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Fired .50 caliber machine gun and 5"/38 AA batteries at enemy planes
presented as targets while moored at Berth X-7 from 0805 to 0847, and
during sortie via South Channel to entrance buoys from 0847 to 0910.
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Dropped 4 and 2 60-pound depth charges in two successive attacks
about 0950 on underwater sound contacts approximately 4 miles, bearing
190°, from Diamond Head Light. Dropped 2 600-pound depth charges in
attack on third underwater sound contact approximately 6 miles,
bearing 200°, from Diamond Head Light about 1020.
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Damage to enemy.
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4 planes under fire by 5" battery and 1 under fire by .50 caliber
were observed to crash in the following places: 2 near Pearl City, 1
on stern of U.S.S. Curtiss in West Channel, 1 Middle Loch near
P.A.A. Landing, 1 in cane field on Waipio Peninsula.
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One submarine either sunk or severely damaged by depth charging in
approximate location 4 miles, bearing 190° true, from Diamond Head
Light.
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Own losses and damages -- none.
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Three men received minor injuries, two of them a burst eardrum and
the third a bruised foot.
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The material casualties mentioned under the citations of Millard and
Shaw in the basic letter were a gun stoppage due to loading a
grommeted projectile, and a torpedo running in its tube after being
struck by a second torpedo inadvertently partially ejected from an
opposite tube.
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Attention is invited to paragraph 3 of the basic letter, to which
should be added Ensign N.F. Asher, U.S.N., who, as acting commanding
officer from the commencement of the raid until the ship returned to
Pearl Harbor the following evening, performed most commendably and
efficiently in assuming prompt offensive action, conducting emergency
sortie under existing trying conditions, attacking submarine contacts
in offshore area, screening heavy ship proceeding to attack a
reportedly greatly superior force off Barber's Point, and subsequently
standing watch and watch as O.O.D. for a period of 30 hours at sea.
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All personnel conducted themselves in an eminently satisfactory
manner, and the commanding officer has not heard of a single adverse
criticism.
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To date there have been found no evidence of any hits of any sort on
this vessel, although several shrapnel or bomb case fragments, and two
spent .450 caliber projectiles have been picked up about the decks.
Enemy planes made several attempts to bomb this or nearby vessels during
sortie in an apparent attempt to block the channel; the nearest miss
from such bombs was about 100 yards.
[signed]
H.N. WILLIAMS
H.N. WILLIAMS
Copy to:
Combatfor
Comdesbatfor
Comdesbatfor
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U.S.S. BLUE DD 387
Pearl Harbor, T.H. December 11, 1941 |
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From:
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N.F. ASHER, Ensign, U.S. Navy.
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To:
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Commander-in-Chief, U.S. Pacific Fleet.
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Via:
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Commanding Officer
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Subject:
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Air Raid on Pearl Harbor, T.H. December 7, 1941 -- report of action
by U.S.S. Blue (DD387)
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Summary of actions:
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0800
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U.S.S. Utah torpedoed.
Ensign N.F. ASHER, U.S.N., Ensign M.I. MOLDAFSKY, U.S.N.R., Ensign J.P. WOLFE, U.S.N.R., and Ensign R.S. SCOTT, U.S.N.R., while seated in the wardroom, received word from the bridge that the U.S.S. Utah had been torpedoed by Japanese airplanes. The general alarm was sounded, and word passed throughout the ship to man battle stations and prepare to get underway immediately. Stations were taken immediately as follows:
Ensign ASHER -- on the bridge -- in command.
Ensign MOLDAFSKY -- forward machine guns -- in charge. Ensign WOLFE -- control -- in charge. Ensign SCOTT -- repair party -- in charge. |
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0805
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Opened fire with 50 cal. machine guns on Japanese planes diving on
ships in harbor.
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0807
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Opened fire with 5"/38 cal. guns on Japanese planes. The engine
room was ordered immediately to light off No. 2 boiler (No. 1
already steaming), and made all preparations for getting underway.
Repair party cleared the ship for action, and made all preparations
for slipping quickly from the mooring.
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0847
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Underway--upon execution of signal to get underway--from Berth X-7,
Ensign N.F. ASHER, Commanding. Maintained fire on enemy planes with
main battery and machine guns while steaming out of harbor. Four
planes fired on with main battery were later seen to go down in
smoke. It is claimed that two of these planes were definitely shot
down by this vessel. one was seen to crash in field on Waipio Pena.,
and the second crashed into crane on stern of U.S.S.
Curtiss. Two planes that dove over the ship were fired on by
the 50 cal. machine guns. It is claimed that one of these planes,
seen to crash near Pan American Airways Landing at Pearl City, was
shot down by this vessel.
When abeam of Weaver Field landing, went to twenty five knots, and
maintained this speed while steaming out of the channel.
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0910
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Passed channel entrance buoys, and set course 120 true. Proceeded
to sector three to patrol station. Upon reaching station commenced
patrolling at speed 10 knots.
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0950
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Good sound contact on submarine. Maneuvered to attack and dropped
four depth charges. Regained sound contact on same submarine.
Dropped two depth charges. investigated spot where the second attack
was made, and observed a large oil slick on the water, and air
bubbles rising to the surface, over a length of about 200 feet. it
was first believed that the submarine was surfacing, due to the
appearance of the air bubbles, and all guns were ordered to train
out to starboard, so as to be ready to open fire. It is felt that
this submarine was definitely sunk. Approximate location:
21°-11'-30" N and 157°-49'-45" W.
Obtained a third sound contack on a submarine that was apparently
heading for the U.S.S. St. Louis, which was at the time
steaming at high speeds on a course of approximately 150 true.
Signal "EMERG. UNIT 210" was hoisted, and attack on submarine made.
Two depth charges were dropped. Upon a return to the spot where the
attack was made, a large oil slick was noticed on the surface of the
water. All contacks were made at about 1400 yards, and the submarine
tracked before the charges were dropped.
It is claimed that one submarine, and possibly two were sunk.
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1030
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Upon completion of the attacks, the Blue screened the
St. Louis upon orders from that vessel.
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1055
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All four boilers on the main steam line.
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Ammunition expended during engagement:
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5"/38 caliber
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507
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rounds.
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50 cal. (machine guns)
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4000
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rounds.
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Depth charges
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8
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There were no material or personnel casualties.
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Special commendation should be given the following officers and men for
their extreme heroism, courage, and fine cooperation, during the conduct
of the battle, and until the Blue returned to port, on the night of
December 8, 1941:
Ensign J.P. WOLFE, U.S.N.R., -- is responsible for the excellent shooting
of the Blue during the conduct of the battle. Ensign WOLFE's duties
as control and gunnery officer were performed to perfection. Ensign WOLFE
also acted as assistant communication officer.
Ensign R.S. SCOTT, U.S.N.R., -- did an excellent job as damage control
officer. Ensign SCOTT was detailed to maintain the spirit of the men on
battle stations, and to look after things about the ship while the other
officers remained at their battle stations from the time that the
Blue got underway, till she returned to port.
HAMMOND, J.P., 233-63-83, CQM, USN, -- provided valuable assistance to me,
and loyally remained on the bridge till the Blue returned to port. I
give HAMMOND great credit in aiding me considerably in the swift and safe
manner in which the Blue proceeded out of Pearl Harbor.
KITZER, H.M., 102-87-19, CMM, USN, -- did an excellent job as acting
engineer officer of the Blue, for the two days that we were out to
sea. KITZER is greatly responsible for the excellent performance of the
engineering department.
KETCHUM, F., 102-39-98, CBM, USN, -- performed in an excellent manner with
the repair party, and proved invaluable by assisting in general tasks
throughout the ship.
MILLARD, M.L., 355-54-90, CGM, USN, -- performed in an excellent manner
throughout the conduct of the battle, and whom I give great credit for the
fine performance of the firing. He cleared a loading casualty at Gun 2 at
great danger to himself, after sending all men from the gun and handling
room.
SHAW, C.H., 200-79-90, CTM, USN, -- performed outstandingly both in
refilling depth charge racks, and preparing torpedoes for firing while the
ship was proceeding in heavy seas at high speeds. During a casualty in which
a fired torpedo remained in the tube, and a live warhead fell on the deck,
his quick action at personal risk to himself prevented any serious damage to
material and personnel.
MATTHEWS, W.J., 273-82-86, CRM(PA), USN, -- who remained on watch
continuously manning sound gear and radio equipment. While manning the sound
gear, he picked up two submarines, and gave the information leading to the
successful submarine attacks. His work on radio equipment as well as on
sound gear was extremely well done.
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I wish to commend all the men who were aboard the Blue for their
courageous and excellent performance during and after the engagement with
the enemy.
[signed] N.F. ASHER
It is contended by many that because Fred had directly disobeyed the
commanding officer’s standing orders, that he was not recommended for, nor
obviously receive, a well-deserved Navy Cross. I have rigorously searched
all available U.S. Navy records for the award of the Medal of Honor, the
Navy Cross, and the Silver Star (three highest awards for valor in actual
combat), without finding Fred's name.
It is also widely held that during the course of clearing the channel to open water, and close proximity attacks by Japanese aircraft, that Fred in abject anger and frustration, threw the pair of binoculars he had on, directly at one of the planes. Nor was it ever confirmed that his meager ensign’s pay was docked for the replacement cost of a pair of 9x50 Bureau of Ships, Bausch & Lomb prismatic binoculars, lost overboard. He was a fine naval officer and gentleman, in the truest sense of John Paul Jone's words. Truly unfortunate is the fact that there are so many more "Freds" out there who have also been forgotten.
For those readers who might be interested in a greater in-depth analysis, see the attack on Pearl Harbor , in this blog.
