Tag Archives: R/V Petrel

VIDEO: Famed WWII Destroyer USS Johnston Discovered 4 Miles Down

VIDEO: Famed WWII Destroyer USS Johnston Discovered 4 Miles Down

Bow of USS Johnston. Victor Vescovo Photo

This story had been updated to clarify that Cmdr. Ernest Evans was one of two destroyer commanders to receive the Medal of Honor for actions during World War II.

A team of ocean explorers has found the wreck of World War II Fletcher-class destroyer USS Johnston (DD-557) which played a critical role at the Battle off Samar, Navy History and Heritage Command said on Thursday. Read More

Wreck of Famed WWII Destroyer USS Johnston May Have Been Found

Wreck of Famed WWII Destroyer USS Johnston May Have Been Found

Wreckage of a Fletcher-class destroyer believed to be USS Johnston (DD-557). Photo released by R/V Petrel

The following post has been updated to correct the number of ships involved in the Battle of Samar.

A few days past the 75th anniversary of the Battle of Samar, researchers from Vulcan Inc.’s research vessel R/V Petrel believe they’ve found wreckage from the engagement’s famed Fletcher-class destroyer, USS Johnston (DD-557). Read More

WWII Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet Discovered in Solomon Islands

WWII Aircraft Carrier USS Hornet Discovered in Solomon Islands

5 inch guns of the USS Hornet. R/V Petrel photo.

This post has been updated to include a statement by Vice Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Bill Moran.

The late Paul Allen’s research team discovered the wreckage of World War II’s USS Hornet (CV-8), the aircraft carrier that launched the Doolittle Raid and participated in the Battle of Midway before being sunk in the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands by Japanese dive bombers, torpedo planes and ship-launched torpedoes. Read More