Typhoon Cobra: West Virginia Casualties

Typhoon Cobra: West Virginia Casualties

From the National WWII Museum:
"On December 18, 1944, Typhoon “Cobra” struck an American flotilla supporting General Douglas MacArthur’s invasion of the Philippines. Task Force (TF) 38, under the command of Admiral William Halsey, included seven Essex-class carriers, six light carriers, eight battleships, four heavy and 11 light cruisers, along with approximately 50 destroyers. Conducting combat operations in and around Leyte during the late fall as part of MacArthur’s return to the Philippines, many of Halsey’s vessels were running low on fuel and supplies. Planning to support future combat operations in and around the Philippine archipelago, TF 38 set sail for a replenishment rendezvous point 400 miles due east to meet with fleet oilers and associated support vessels. The planned rendezvous location allowed TF 38’s vessels to remain close to the area of operations but safely outside the range of ground based Japanese aircraft. Replenishing TF 38 was a refueling group from the US Third Fleet designated Task Group 30.8 (TG 30.8). This logistical flotilla under Captain Jasper T. Acuff consisted of oilers, fleet tugs, destroyers, and escort carriers laden with replacement airframes."

Three ships were sunk during Typhoon Cobra: the U.S.S. Hull, The U.S.S. Monaghan, and the U.S.S. Spence. 790 lives were lost, including the 12 West Virginians listed below.

USS Hull:

USS Monaghan:

USS Spence:

* = Written by Another Volunteer

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