This is the third of four (well, e v e n t u a l l y four) posts covering Jewish military casualties on Friday, May 4, 1945 (by the Hebrew calendar, 22 Iyyar 5705) “this” post pertaining to members of the United States Marine Corps, and, United States Navy. (I’ve already presented information about ground forces, and, the Army Air Force.) As you’ll see by scrolling down, of the nine men whose names are listed below, one was a Marine while the other eight were members of the Navy.
The fourth and “final” post in this “May 4, 1945 series” will cover one, and only one, person: naval aviator Lt. (jg) Saul Chernoff, a fighter pilot in VF-85.
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United States Marine Corps
I have no information about the circumstances under which Cpl. Abrams was killed, but based on the time-frame and the identity of his organization – the 5th Marine Regiment – I assume he lost his life during the battle for Okinawa.
Cpl. Simon Abrams
– .ת. נ. צ. ב. ה –
תהא נפשו צרורה בצרור החיים
Abrams, Simon, Cpl., 472612, Purple Heart
Headquarters Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division
Born 6/15/14
Mrs. Pauline Abrams (mother), 1671 W. 4th St., Brooklyn, N.Y.
Long Island National Cemetery, Farmingdale, N.Y. – Section J, Grave 15535; Buried 2/10/49
Casualty List 6/25/45
American Jews in World War II – 263
This image of Cpl. Abrams’ matzeva is by FindAGrave contributor Glenn.
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United States Navy
The commonality of the fate of the men listed below was that all were crewmen of ships that were sunk by kamikaze attacks during the battle for Okinawa. (Well, two of the did survive to be rescued!) Specifically, these vessels were the USS LSM(R)-194 (LSM(R) = Landing Ship Medium (Rocket)), and the Destroyers Luce and Morrison. All three ships – even the LSM(R)-194 – were engaged in radar picket duty off Okinawa, which Wikipedia summarizes as such:
The radar picket system saw its ultimate development in World War II in the Battle of Okinawa. A ring of 15 radar picket stations was established around Okinawa to cover all possible approaches to the island and the attacking fleet. Initially, a typical picket station had one or two destroyers supported by two landing ships, usually landing craft support (large) (LCS(L)) or landing ship medium (rocket) (LSM(R)), for additional AA firepower. Eventually, the number of destroyers and supporting ships were doubled at the most threatened stations, and combat air patrols were provided as well. In early 1945, 26 new construction Gearing-class destroyers were ordered as radar pickets without torpedo tubes, to allow for extra radar and AA equipment, but only some of these were ready in time to serve off Okinawa. Seven destroyer escorts were also completed as radar pickets.
The radar picket mission was vital, but it was also costly to the ships performing it. Out of 101 destroyers assigned to radar picket stations, 10 were sunk and 32 were damaged by kamikaze attacks. The 88 LCS(L)s assigned to picket stations had two sunk and 11 damaged by kamikazes, while the 11 LSM(R)s had three sunk and two damaged.
Given the historical, military, and technological significance (let alone the simple human significance!) of this episode in American and Japanese history, there is an abundance of literature – print and now digital – about the topic, which has long been a subject of study and analysis, perhaps with applicability even for the world of 2021. And, beyond.
So, some works pertaining to this topic are listed below:
At Naval History and Heritage Command
20 July 1945: Radar Pickets and Methods of Combating Suicide Attacks Off Okinawa
June 2020, by Shawn R. Woodford, Ph.D., Historian, NHHC Histories and Archives Division: The Most Difficult Antiaircraft Problem Yet Faced By the Fleet”: U.S. Navy vs. Kamikazes at Okinawa
By Trent Telenko at Chicagoboyz:
2 April 2020: The Beginning of the Okinawa Campaign — Plus 75 years
7 March 2014: History Friday: Analyzing The Okinawa Kamikaze Strikes & Japanese/US Planning For Operation Olympic
28 September 2020: Okinawa and Unmanned Vessels (Includes map of Radar Picket stations)
To place the events of this day in a clearer context, these two maps show the locations of the fifteen radar picket stations off Okinawa; it can be seen that the stations are numbered in a clockwise fashion, with “R.P. 1” north-northeast of the island, and “R.P. 15” north-northwest. Also note that the stations were not located at a uniform distance from Okinawa.
This map, from Radar Pickets and Methods of Combating Suicide Attacks Off Okinawa, is captioned, “Fifteen radar picket stations are shown. Stations will be occupied as directed by OTC. Radar pickets steam within a radius of 5000 yds. of center of station. The station center of each radar picket is indicated in latitude and longitude, range and bearing from point BOLO. COMPHIBSPAC OP PLAN Ai-45.” The map also appears in The Beginning of the Okinawa Campaign, with the important caveat, “It is the primary story of radar at Okinawa…and it leaves out most of what really happened there.”
…while this map, from Okinawa and Unmanned Vessels provides another view of the location of the Okinawa Radar Picket Stations…
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USS LSM(R)-194
(Radar Picket Station 1)
“Fire control of weapons aboard the USS LSM(R) 194 was found inadequate for night firing to a degree which made the ship practically defenseless in darkness or in conditions of low visibility. If rocket ships are to be used for patrol or escort missions as in the past a system of radar fire control will be advisable.”
These four images of LSM(R)-194 are from NavSource.org.
“Underway off Okinawa, circa 26 March to 4 May 1945. National Archives photo.”
“Port broadside view, passing under the Cooper River Bridge, Charleston, S.C., 2 December 1944. US Navy Yard Charleston photo 3520-44.”
Ship underway, date and location unknown.
Ship equally underway, date and location equally unknown.
Lieutenant Allan Myers Hirshberg (0-228315), commander of the LSM(R)-194, received the Navy Cross for his actions on this date. Born in McKeesport, Pa., on April 12, 1921, he was the husband of Sally Hirshberg, who lived at 642 Shaw Ave., in McKeesport. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. S.H. and Carrie Hirshberg, also residents of McKeesport, lived at 1120 in that city at McCleary Street. Lt. Hirshberg’s name appears on page 529 of American Jews in World War II.
Several days after the sinking of his ship, Lt. Hirshberg submitted an Action Report covering the events of May 4. Note that the ship was stationed at above-mentioned Radar Picket Station 1, north-northwest of Okinawa and northwest of Inaya Retto, a direct line distance of 51 miles from Point Bolo (Bolo Airfield) on the coast of the East China Sea. The report follows…
USS LSM(R) 194
Summary of action:
…USS LSM(R) 194 was patrolling on radar picket station 1 on longitude 127-50 E and latitude 27-16.6 N in company were the USS Morrison (DD 560), the USS Ingraham (DD 694), and the LCS 21, 31 & 23. The Morrison was acting OTC for the entire company and the LCS 31 was OTC for the small craft. The ships were maneuvering in accordance with flaghoist received from DD 560. The four gunboats were in column formation with a destroyer on each beam of the formation.
At 0758 (Item) sounded General Quarters as Flash Red Control Green, enemy planes approaching from the north was reported from OTC. OTC called the CTF 51 requesting more planes. At that time there were 12 CAPS above. Subsequently 24 more arrived. Action commenced at 0815 (Item) with both destroyers hit by suicide planes, the DD 560 taking 3 planes. The DD 560 immediately listed, lost control and abandoned ship, the ship sinking at 0837 (item).
Then a Tony crossed LCS 21 and headed toward LSM(R) 194 on starboard beam which opened fire with 40 mm and 5”/38 – latter gun checking fire to avoid hitting LCS. As the plane came closer the 20mm and 50 cal. opened fire. The plane was hit and swerved coming aft. to frame 27 where it crash dived the ship. The plane was carrying a bomb. Time 0838 (item). Fires were started in aft steering and engine room. The boiler blew up. The handling room was in flames. Fire and flushing system was ruptured. Sprinkle systems all turned on but it is questionable that much water was forthcoming. The after damage control party were all badly burned and Commanding Officer called forward damage control to proceed aft and take over. The ship immediately started to settle by the stern with a list to starboard before the hose could be rigged to pump out; the ship had settled too far to save, with water washing up on main deck aft.
The order was given to abandon ship for all hands except 40mm gun crews. Then ordered 40mm gun crews to abandon ship, following which Commanding Officer abandoned ship. Ship settled straight down stern first. About 5 minutes after she went down a terrific explosion occurred. Three life rafts were employed, the others unavailable due to damage and fire in aft portion of ship. Commanding Officer and 48 men were picked up by LCS 21 at 0935 (item). Remainder of men picked up by LCS 23.
Ordnance:
Armament aboard the USS LSM(R) 194 proved inadequate to protect the ship from a low flying ramming plane. The aircraft performed evasive maneuvers until the plane was within 1000 yards of the ship. The 5”/38 dual purpose gun was unable to score hits because of the evasive action of the plane and the fact that the Mk 51 Mod 3 director was not in working order. The two single mount 40mm guns scored a few hits but failed to effect sufficient damage to destroy the plane. One 20mm machine gun and one 50 cal. machine gun fired at the plane but also failed to score a sufficient number of hits to destroy the aircraft.
Damage:
Fire in aft steering space, engine room and handling room. Boiler exploded. Fire and flushing system ruptured. Ship holed by suicide plane and bomb frame 27 starboard.
Conclusion:
From experience gained during this attack and observation of similar attack on other vessels, twin and quad mount 40mm guns with Mk 51 directors are considered the most satisfactory for this type of attack. For this reason it is recommended that twin mount 40mm guns with director control be seriously considered when arming future rocket ships.
Fire control of weapons aboard the USS LSM(R) 194 was found inadequate for night firing to a degree which made the ship practically defenseless in darkness or in conditions of low visibility. If rocket ships are to be used for patrol or escort missions as in the past a system of radar fire control will be advisable.
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A news article reporting on the survival of Lt. Hirshberg (and Lt. Joseph C. Kerr of the Mannert L. Abele) was published in The Pittsburgh Press on June 3, 1945. This is the only image I’ve been able to find of the Lieutenant.
The citation for Lt. Hirshberg’s Navy Cross award, from Military Times, follows:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Allen Myers Hirshberg, United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the U.S.S. LANDING SHIP MEDIUM (Rocket) ONE HUNDRED NINETY-FOUR (LSM(R)-194), a close-in fire support ship, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the assault on Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 4 May 1945. After a bomb-laden suicide plane crashed into his ship, Lieutenant Hirshberg directed from the conn the entire damage control and, displaying exceptional courage when it became necessary to abandon ship, remained to supervise the continuous fire of his anti-aircraft batteries against further enemy air attacks. His outstanding courage and his inspiring leadership of officers and men under his command reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Hirshberg and the United States Naval Service.
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Killed in Action
– .ת. נ. צ. ב. ה –
תהא נפשו צרורה בצרור החיים
F1C Herbert Meyerowitz (713252) did not survive the sinking of LSM(R)-194. The son of Harry Meyerowitz, P.O. Box 2362, in Miami, his name is commemorated at the Tablets of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial. Like many other men profiled in this ongoing series of blog posts, his name never appeared in American Jews in World War II.
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USS Morrison (DD-560)
(Radar Picket Station 1)
“The ship’s logs, quartermaster’s notebooks, and all records pertaining to the war diary were lost in the sinking.”
These two images of the Morrison are from Navsource.
“…24 February 1944. She was performing RDF calibration as part of her post-shakedown trials. The ship is painted in Camouflage Measure 32/13d.” (National Archives photo 80-G-455511)
As viewed from Gambier Bay (CVE 73), 24 July 1944. On this date Morrison was operating as a A/S screening unit of TU 52.14.1, operating east of Saipan. The ship is painted in camouflage Measure 32, Design 13d. (National Archives photo)
As mentioned in Lt. Hirshberg’s account of the sinking of LSM(R)-194, the USS Morrison was also stationed at Radar Picket Station 1. An account of the ship’s loss can be found in “The “Graveyard Shift”: The Most Dangerous Place off Okinawa“, by Guy Nasuti of the NHHC History and Archives Division, from April of 2020. Unlike the LSM(R)-194 rocket ship, there is – alas – little definitive official documentation about the destroyer’s loss, for the ship’s war diary and related materials were lost in her sinking. The following very brief account is extracted from The Mighty “Moe” ——— Birth to Death, which was written by the ship’s senior surviving officer, Commander James R. Hansen; specifically quoted is the document’s last paragraph.
The USS Morrison (DD560) was sunk 4 May 1945 north of Okinawa Jima, Ryukyu Islands by a coordinated Japanese suicide plane attack. The ship’s logs, quartermaster’s notebooks, and all records pertaining to the war diary were lost in the sinking.
A daily account of the Morrison’s employment from 1 April through 4 May has been reconstructed from memory. During this period the Morrison was operating in the general vicinity of Okinawa Jima in compliance with COM FIFTH FLEET OPPLAN A1-45, OTF 51 OPPLAN AI-45 and OTF 52 OPPLAN A19-45.
The war diary for this period is submitted in order to bring the records up to date and to close out the war diary for the USS Morrison.
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May the 4th dawned bright and blue. The attack came at about 0715, a force later estimated at about 25 suicide plane. Our Combat Air Patrol was out to meet them and shot them down faster than the reports could come in to us. But that was not fast enough. Some got through. The first run on us was a strafing run. We never found out whether or not any of our men were hit. Our next close escape was occasioned by a bomb dropped a few yards off our starboard beam. This did no damage. Close upon this came a suicide plane which crashed into #1 stack and the bridge causing heavy casualties, and putting all radar and radios, and the main battery out of commission. A few minutes later suicide #2 hit #2 stack, and #3 hit gun #3 and #4 hit gun #5. Al these were under attack by our planes and under fire from our own guns. They were hit repeatedly, but could not be stopped. After the fourth hit, the stern went under the water and the ship began to list badly to starboard. The word was passed to abandon ship. One hundred and fifty two men were left behind, either killed or trapped. The Morrison was no more.
Killed in Action
– .ת. נ. צ. ב. ה –
תהא נפשו צרורה בצרור החיים
Berson, Abraham Martin, S 1C, 7078872, Purple Heart
Born New York, N.Y., 4/11/22
Mr. Louis W. Berson (father), 2778 East 22nd St., Brooklyn, N.Y.
Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii
American Battle Monuments Commission lists date as 5/5/46
Casualty List 7/6/45
New York Times (Obituary Section – in Memoriam) 5/4/47
American Jews in World War II – 277
The Jewish Veteran, Convention 1990
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Cohen, Max, S 1C, 8873083, Purple Heart
Mrs. Marguerite Cohen (wife), 2909 Montclair Ave., Detroit, Mi.
Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii
American Jews in World War II – Not Listed
American Battle Monuments Commission lists date as 5/5/46
Combat Connected Naval Casualties of WW II lists him as having been “MIA on Operational Mission”.
This portrait of Seaman Abrams, first published in the 1954 Jewish War Veterans of Michigan Golden Book, is one of the images from that publication now viewable via the Jewish War Veterans – Department of Michigan.
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Neuger, Harold Saul (Hayyim Shmuel bar Yisrael), RDM 3C, 2839051, Purple Heart
Born Cleveland, Oh., 8/17/25
Mr. and Mrs. Sam (Neugröschl) [10/12/88-5/6/58] and Ethel (Manheim) [7/17/91-10/25/73] Neuger (parents), 11407 Kinsman Ave., Cleveland, Oh.
Ensign Sanford Neuger, Sgt. Joseph Neuger, and PFC Stanley Neuger (brothers)
Workmen’s Circle Cemetery, Parma, Ohio – SIOB, Row 2, Grave 1
Casualty List 7/6/45
Cleveland Press & Plain Dealer, July 17, 18, 28 & 29, 1945; 3/4/49
American Jews in World War II – 496
This image of Radarman Neuger’s matzeva is by FindAGrave contributor Tracy Piazza. Notice that the engraved date is May 5 – not May 4 – 1945. Given the circumstances of the Morrison’s loss, I don’t know if this is RDM 3C Neuger’s actual place of burial – perhaps he died of wounds on May 5, 1945? – or, a symbolic and commemorative matzeva.
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Ziner, Sidney, F 2C, 9089221, Purple Heart
Born Bronx, N.Y., 10/21/20
Mr. and Mrs. Jack and Mollie Ziner (parents), 1223 White Plains Road, Bronx, N.Y.
Allen, Herbert, and Lorraine Ziner (brothers and sister)
Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii
City College of New York Class of 1942
American Battle Monuments Commission lists date as 5/5/46
American Jews in World War II – 477
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USS Luce (DD-522)
(Radar Picket Station 9 or 11)
“Two enemy planes avoided the interceptors and attacked her from the portside. Luce splashed one, but the explosion from the bomb it carried caused a power failure. Unable to bring her guns to bear in time, she was struck in the after section by the second kamikaze.”
From Naval History and Heritage Command, this 1944 image, U.S. Navy Photograph NH 51451, shows the Luce wearing Camouflage Measure 32, Design 18D. (Official U.S. Navy Photograph, from the collections of the Naval Historical Center.)
The following account of the Luce’s loss is from the Naval History and Heritage Command.
On 24 March she departed Leyte escorting and screening units of TF 51 which landed heavy artillery on Kelse Shima for the support of the main landings on Okinawa. She was detached from this duty 1 April and assigned radar picket duty off Kerama Retto. About 0740, 4 May, Japanese suicide planes were intercepted by the combat air patrol in the vicinity of Luce. Two enemy planes avoided the interceptors and attacked her from the portside. Luce splashed one, but the explosion from the bomb it carried caused a power failure. Unable to bring her guns to bear in time, she was struck in the after section by the second kamikaze. The port engine was knocked out, engineering spaces flooded, and the rudder jammed. At 0814 Luce took a heavy list to starboard and the order to abandon ship was passed. Moments later she slid beneath the surface in a violent explosion carrying 126 of her 312 officers and men with her.
Killed in Action
– .ת. נ. צ. ב. ה –
תהא נפשו צרורה בצרור החיים
Friedman, Sidney, F 1C, 8177304, Purple Heart
Born Philadelphia, Pa., 5/27/24
Mr. and Mrs. Nathan and Ida Friedman (parents), 260 E. Roosevelt Blvd., Philadelphia, Pa.
Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii
Jewish Exponent 7/13/45, 8/10/45
Philadelphia Record 7/8/45
American Jews in World War II – Not Listed
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Survived
Jacobs, Alexander, S 1C, 8115452, Purple Heart
Born New York, N.Y., 2/19/23
Mrs. Esther Jacobs (mother), 236 S. 1st St., New York, N.Y.
Casualty List 7/5/45
American Jews in World War II – 350
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Here are Three Books…
Dublin, Louis I., and Kohs, Samuel C., American Jews in World War II – The Story of 550,000 Fighters for Freedom, The Dial Press, New York, N.Y., 1947
Mackay, Ron, The U.S. Navy’s “Interim” LSM(R)s in World War II: Rocket Ships of the Pacific Amphibious Forces, McFarland & Company, Inc., Jefferson, N.C., 2016
Combat Connected Naval Casualties, World War II, by States, United States Navy Department Office of Information, U.S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D.C., 1946
…and Here are Some Websites
USS LSM(R)-164, at Wikipedia
USS Luce (DD-522), at Wikipedia
USS Morrison (DD-560), at Wikipedia
USS Morrison (DD-560), at Destroyer History Foundation
USS Morrison (DD-560), at Kamikaze Images