BENJAMIN BUTLER RICH, or Ben as he was also known, was born on 18 Jan 1922 in Cushing, Payne, OK to Eli Jabes (no Z) and Yuarda Esther “Artie” (Carter) Rich. Benjamin was the second of four children born to his parents. His siblings were Esther Mae Hermann (1920-1994), Jeanne Audrey Chamberlain (1929-?), and Gerald Lyle Rich (1931-?). Eli moved from Butler county, KS before 1910 when he was enumerated in Cement, Canadian, OK. Eli enlisted in the US Navy on 30 Jun 1917 from Cushing, Payne, OK. After serving on a ship in the Pacific, he returned home on leave to marry Artie Carter on 03 Feb 1919 in Cushing, Payne, OK. They were married several weeks before Eli was discharged from the US Navy on 18 Feb 1919; a day before his 20th birthday. After receiving an honorable discharge from the navy, Eli assumed his former occupation as a mechanic.

The Rich family moved from Oklahoma in the late 1920s to Los Angeles County, CA where their last two children were born. Benjamin finished the 10th grade at the Verdugo Hills High School in Tujunga, CA in June 1939. To help supplement the family income, he joined the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) with Company #1913 at Boulder Creek, Santa Cruz, CA.

Ben was a child of the Great Depression and, like many of his contemporaries, he dreamt of adventure, a steady income with which to help with family finances and the chance to learn a trade. He saw those opportunities available in the US Navy. With the outbreak of War in Europe on 01 Sep 1939, Ben probably felt a patriot surge that propelled him to travel the 25 miles from his CCC camp in Boulder Creek to the San Jose, Santa Clara, CA, Naval Recruiting Sub-Station (NRSS) on 05 Dec 1939 to begin the application process to enlist in the US Navy. At the NRSS, he completed a preliminary entrance examination, submitted personal references, completed administrative paperwork which included submitting a valid birth certificate, finger printing and passing background checks. In order to enlist he had to be discharged from the CCC program. Based upon preliminary information, Rich was accepted for enlistment on 08 Dec 1939 in San Jose.

Because he was not 21 years of age, Ben had to obtain his father’s permission to enlist. His father, Eli, lived in Tujunga, Los Angeles, CA more than 300 miles south of Ben’s residence. It was not until 23 Dec 1939 that Ben’s father signed the consent to enlist form.

Finally, after two months of processing his application, the navy was ready to formerly enlist him. Benjamin was sent to the Navy Recruiting Station in San Francisco, CA on 09 Feb 1940 for physical and dental exams. After he completed those exams, he was administered the Oath of Allegiance. Apprentice Seaman (AS) Benjamin Butler Rich enlisted for a term of six years with a beginning pay of $21.00 per month. His navy service number was 376-02-34. Later that day, AS Rich entrained in San Francisco for the long ride to the Naval Training Station (NTS) in San Diego to begin 12 weeks of recruit training. According to the 1940 US Census Benjamin B. Rich was enumerated at the Naval Training Station as of 01 Apr 1940. Rich completed recruit training on 26 Apr 1940. He was transferred that day to the Destroyer Base and the Receiving Ship in San Diego for general detailing.

After several months, AS Rich received orders to report for assignment to Asiatic-Station, Manila, Philippines via the transport ship, USS Chaumont (AP-5) on 01 Jun 1940 boarding in San Pedro, CA. Chaumont got underway on 05 June bound for San Francisco arriving on 06 June. While she was in San Francisco, AS Rich advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (S2c) on 09 Jun 1940. Chaumont steamed out of San Francisco Bay under the Golden Gate Bridge on 21 June steering a course to Hawaii, raising Honolulu, on 28 June. Three days later, on 1 July, she got underway again for China via Guam (13-15 July) and Manila (20-22 July). S2c Rich disembarked from Chaumont upon arrival in Manila on the 20th and reported for duty on board the destroyer, USS Peary (DD-226) later that day. About ten months later Rich requested permission to change his career path from Seaman to Fireman. Permission was granted. On 07 May 1941, his rate was changed from S2c to Fireman Third Class (F3c).

PRELUDE TO WAR.

Overt hostilities between China and Japan began after the Marco Polo Bridge incident of 07 July 1937. Japanese aggression against it’s neighbor continued to escalate each year adding to the distinct possibility that actions against foreign powers who had military and civilian personnel in China might inadvertently draw them into the fray. The US Asiatic Fleet was a force present along the Chinese coast and in some of their rivers. US warships were frequent visitors to coastal cities ostensibly to protect US interests and citizens. On 01 Sep 1939, World War II in Europe began. The quick successes of Germany and her allies against Allied forces in Europe emboldened the militarists of Japan.

Japanese aggression continued to increase in East Asia during 1940 forcing many foreign governments to begin withdrawing their ground based forces and the majority of the naval forces, as well as, evacuating military and civilian expatriates from China. On 28 Apr, Peary steamed out of Manila Bay bound for Hong Kong for some "showing the flag" as the Japanese were becoming ever increasingly bellicose. After visiting several ports along the China coast, Peary got underway from Tsingtao, China on 24 June 1940 steaming back to Manila.

By autumn of 1940, the unstable international situation in the region and Japan’s persistent aggression made the presence of the Asiatic Fleet ships untenable, so Adm. Thomas C. Hart, the Commander in Chief, U.S. Asiatic Fleet, ordered the withdrawal of all major Navy blue-water ships from China on 21 October 1940, leaving only the gunboats on the Yangtze. When Peary departed from Shanghai a short time later, it would mark the end of the US Navy’s blue-water ships presence in Chinese ports. As the Asiatic Fleet reduced its presence in China, Peary's operations indefinitely shifted to the Philippine Archipelago. During 1941, the bulk of her activities included training and patrols around the Philippine Islands.

Admiral Hart began evacuating all of the families of his married sailors home in late 1940. There was push-back from the resentful spouses who initially declined to leave their husbands. It was only a threat to indefinitely restrict their spouses to their ships without leave that finally convinced the families; it was time to comply with orders and return to the continental United States (CONUS). Many traveled home on the President's Steam Ship Line. Admiral Hart's directive probably saved many family members from internment by the Japanese or worse. For many of the married and unmarried sailors alike, it was the last time they would ever see their families.

The threat of hostilities between the United States and Japan grew closer to the boiling point as the year 1941 began. Then, in July 1941, as Japanese aggression intensified with their move south into lower Indo-China, Admiral Hart warned his officers that he had no doubt that war would come although he didn't know how or when hostilities would start. Hart trained his destroyer crews hard keeping them on a war-footing for extended periods and away from Cavite naval base as much as possible exercising his "defensive deployment."

On 25 November 1941, two days in advance of the "war warning" which predicted that hostile Japanese action in the Pacific was imminent, Admiral Hart directed units of the Asiatic Fleet including destroyer tender USS Black Hawk (AD-9), and other ships of Destroyer Squadron Twenty-Nine (DesRon) 29, to exercise his “Defensive Deployment” well south of Manila. The ships arrived on the morning of 29 Nov 1941 in Balikpapan, a major oil port on the eastern coast of Borneo. Some ships remained at Cavite for operational reasons. Peary was one of four destroyers to remain in Cavite with the USS Pillsbury (DD-227), USS Pope (DD-225) and USS John D. Ford (DD-228). .

Govern Yourself Accordingly.

On 7 December 1941 [8 December east of the International date Line], the Japanese onslaught began across a wide area, from the Far East to Pearl Harbor. When word was received that the Japanese had attacked Pearl Harbor. Adm Hart direct his forces to "Govern Yourself Accordingly." Several days later all hell broke loose at Manila Bay! Wednesday morning, 10 Dec 1941 in Manila broke with clear skies. Just passed high noon and without warning, scores of Japanese fighters and bombers appeared overhead and commenced to wreak havoc on the naval facilities and ships still inport. When the attack was over, most of the naval base was reduced to rubble. Peary had been struck by a bomb which caused extensive damage. A number of her crew were killed, wounded and missing further reducing her manning complement further below acceptable levels. F3c Rich was on board, but was not wounded in this action.

After the 10 Dec attack, Peary's remaining crew set to work repairing their ship. It was a Herculean effort performed by the crew in conjunction with the facilities of Atlantic Gulf and Pacific Company to effect the minimum repairs in order to make Peary sea-worthy. Because a large number of Peary's crew were lost to various circumstances, a call for replacements was made by Peary's CO to COMAF and Commandant, Sixteenth Naval District (COM16ND) in Manila. Many sailors from other commands were transferred to Peary over the next several weeks to help fill her manning shortages. Holverstott was one of those replacements.

On 23 Dec 1941, Peary got underway on her first war mission; an antisubmarine patrol assignment in the Verde Island Passage between Luzon and the Philippine island of Mindoro. She returned to port late on 24 Dec. On Christmas Day, she made passenger pick-up and delivery runs to Corregidor and Manila.

The day after Christmas 1941, the CO's of PILLSBURY and Peary were ashore at a conference with COM16ND, Admiral Rockwell, to discuss releasing their ships to join other US forces in the Netherlands East Indies when enemy bombers suddenly appeared overhead. Peary was attacked by five flights of Japanese high level bombers. Each flight consisted of between 6 to 9 planes. Peary’s new CO, Lt Bermingham, watched from ashore as his new executive officer, Lt Martin M. Koivisto, skillfully maneuvered Peary around Manila Bay dodging bomb after bomb for several hours. Though she suffered a few near misses, Peary emerged virtually unscathed. Later that evening, Peary and PILLSBURY were ordered to put to sea and proceed south by the best route and join Task Force 5 at Soerabaja, Java. For safety, each ship was to proceed independently.

Peary's voyage south was eventful and dangerous as the Japanese held mastery of the air and sea. Intelligence information provided to Peary just after her departure from Manila indicated that Japanese warships probably lurked along his intended route to Surabaja. Peary’s CO changed her track and destination to Darwin, Australia. Peary traveled only by night and during the day she was brought close to shore and tied up to trees and covered with palm fronds and green paint in order to blend with the flora of the various islands. Several times, Japanese bombers flew overhead but did not detect the ship.

About 0800, 28 Dec, Peary sighted a large Japanese four-engine seaplane shadowing her. It was a Kawanishi HK6 "Mavis" flying boat. About 1400, three more Mavis' joined and the attacks began with each plane making two runs dropping a single bomb estimated at 500 pounds. During the attacks, gun crews on Peary kept up continuous fire at the enemy planes. She maneuvered successfully avoiding the bombs while her gun crews threw up a curtain of anti-aircraft fire.

Finally, after the flying boats completed their attacks, two twin engine, single wing torpedo planes appeared and commenced an attack on Peary dropping two torpedoes off the port bow and two off the port quarter. Again, the skipper maneuvered the ship out of danger. However, after dropping their ordnance, the enemy torpedo planes returned to fired several strafing bursts which struck the stacks. They were driven off by heavy shipboard machine gun fire.

About 1800, off Kema Island in the Bangka Strait, three Australian Lockheed Hudson patrol bombers were sighted approaching from astern. The aircraft challenged Peary via signal light and she responded. The pilot was seen to wave his arm. However, one of the planes assumed a glide bombing profile. Peary's anti-aircraft batteries opened fire and began maneuvering radically. One of her crewman lost his balance and fell overboard (he was picked up by a fisherman, but was turned over to the Japanese. He worked in a mine in Japan and was repatriated at the end of the war.).

Each Hudson made two attacks dropping a single 250 pound shrapnel bomb. There were no direct hits but near misses caused extensive damage. Peary was hit in various places topside and in the engineering spaces. The shrapnel hit in the engineering spaces and knocked one of Peary's two main engines out of commission. One crewman was killed when he was struck by shrapnel (S1c Kenneth E. Quinaux, a machine gunner, was buried at sea during services at 2000 on 29 Dec 1941.). Prior to departing, each Hudson made a strafing run on the ship. It was learned later that the Australian aircraft had misidentified the US ships because of their resemblance to a class of Japanese warship.

Peary anchored at Port Darwin at 0840, 03 Jan 1942 after a 2100 mile plus transit from Manila, Philippines to Darwin, Australia. Within a week of arriving at Darwin, twenty-eight enlisted men and officers became ill with a virulent form of Malaria or Dengue Fever, contracted when the ship anchored off remote Maitara Island near Ternate in the Halmakeras. It had been necessary to stop there to make repairs after being attacked by Australian aircraft. Eventually eight men would die from the diseases.

Peary received tender availability services from USS Black Hawk (AD-9) to affect temporary repairs and make Peary seaworthy. Those repairs were completed on 22 Jan 1942. Peary then assumed submarine escort duties.

On 29 Jan 1942, Peary steamed from Darwin bound for the island of Timor on a secret mission. She was to deliver a “special duty” contingent of sixteen US Army personnel, 100 drums (5300 gal) of avgas and 50 gallons of lube oil after midnight on 31 Jan 1942 to a Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) field. The fuel and lubricant was to be used by US Army Air Force P-40s in the defense of Java. Five Peary crewmen manned the motor whaleboat used to ferry the men and cargo ashore. Problems quickly developed. As the boat approached the shore it went aground and due to broaching seas it could not be towed clear. Because of the high sea state, it was not possible to remove the crew or return to them to the ship. The motor whaleboat crew were left ashore until such time as the tides shifted and seas moderated before they could be returned to the ship.

She resumed her anti-submarine escort duties for USS Langley (AV-3) from Darwin to Fremantle, Australia between 08-13 Feb 1942, and she steamed with USS Houston escorting a Darwin-Koepang convoy from 14 to 18 Feb 1942. She was also searching for an elusive Japanese submarine contact which reduced her fuel supply such that she had to return to Port Darwin to refuel. Her luck was about to run out.

Peary returned to Port Darwin and anchored about 0100, 19 Feb 1942. About 1045, Port Darwin was subject to a massive air attack by a combined Japanese carrier and land base force of over 200 fighters and bombers. Peary, at anchor, was hit by five bombs. The fifth bomb, an incendiary, exploded in the after engine room opening the ship to the sea. She sank, stern first with her anti-aircraft guns still firing as the last enemy planes left the area.

Eighty-eight officers and men including the commanding officer were killed in her sinking; 57 survived, 20 of whom were wounded. F3 Rich was believed to have gone down with his ship. He was listed as missing in action on 19 Feb 1942.

------------------------------

On 10 April 1942, Mr Eli Jabes Rich of 10251 Mountair Street, Tujunga, CA received the following telegram from the Chief of the Bureau of Navigation (soon to be called the Bureau of Naval Personnel). It read;

The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your son Benjamin Butler Rich, Fireman Third Class, US Navy is missing following action in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country. The Department appreciates your great anxiety and will furnish you further information promptly when received. To prevent possible aid to our enemies please do not divulge the name of his ship or station.

Rear Admiral Randall Jacobs

Chief of the Bureau of Navigation

---------------------------------

In March 1943, Eli J. Rich received the following letter dated 17 March 1943 from the Secretary of the Navy, Hon. Frank Knox. It read:

“My dear Mr. Rich: After a full review of all available information, I am reluctantly forced to the conclusion that your son, Benjamin Butler Rich, Fireman Third Class, U.S. Navy, is deceased, having been reported “missing in action” on the 19th day of February 1942, being a member of the crew and serving aboard the U.S.S. Peary when that vessel was sunk in the port of Darwin, Australia.

In Accordance with Section 5 of Public Law 490, 77th Congress, as amended, your son’s death is presumed to have occurred on the 20th day of February 1943, which is the day following the day of expiration of an absence of twelve months.

I extended to you my sincere sympathy in your great loss and hope you many find comfort in the knowledge that your son gave his life for his Country (sic), upholding the highest traditions of the Navy. The Navy shares in your sense of bereavement and will feel the loss of his service.”

Sincerely yours,

“Signed” Frank Knox

Secretary of the Navy

--------------------------------------

F3 Rich was (posthumously) awarded a Purple Heart Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, American Defense Service Medal w/Fleet Clasp (bronze star in lieu of clasp), Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal w/Fleet Clasp and two bronze stars (one bronze star in lieu of clasp), US Army Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Presidential Unit Citation, Philippine Defense Medal with a bronze service star, and the WWII Victory Medal.

---------------------

Rich’s family received a personal commemoration from President Franklin D. Roosevelt. It reads:

In grateful memory of Benjamin Butler RICH, who died in the service of his country at Darwin, Australia, ATTACHED U.S.S. Peary, 19 February 1942. He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live and grow and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives – in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.

//s// Franklin D. Roosevelt,

President of the United States of America

----------------------

Citation of Units of Both Military and Naval Forces of the United States and Philippine Governments.

--489--

As authorized by Executive Order No. 9075 (sec. II, Bull. 11, W.D., 1942), a citation in the name of the President of the United States, as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction, is awarded to all units of both military and naval forces of the United States and Philippine Governments engaged in the defense of the Philippines since December 7, 1941. (Later, it was called the Army Presidential Unit Citation).

By order of the Secretary of War:

G. C. MARSHALL,

Chief of Staff.

------------------------------

Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation

Establishing Authority

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation was established by Headquarters, Philippine National Defense Forces, General Order Number 532 of September 14, 1946, as amended.

Acceptance by the United States

For service during World War II, acceptance is sanctioned by Public Law 80-314, which authorized the acceptance and wear of foreign decoration, medals, and awards in connection with services in World War II between the inclusive dates of December 7, 1941 and July 24, 1948.

Effective Dates:

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation has been in effect since September 14, 1946.

Criteria:

The Philippine Presidential Unit Citation is awarded for extraordinarily meritorious service. The Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation has been awarded to United States military personnel who participated in the following:

• World War II

- Service in the defense of the Philippines from December 7, 1941 to May 10, 1942.

- Service in the liberation of the Philippines from October 17, 1944 to July 4, 1945.

All U.S. military units and naval vessels that earned any of the Philippine engagement stars are entitled to the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation.

Certain submarines which maintained physical contact with guerrilla forces during the Japanese occupation of the Philippine Islands.

Online: https://rollofhonor.org/public/htmldetails.aspx?Cat=foreignaward&EntID=352

------------------------------

Primary Sources:

1) Cox, Jeffery R., Rising Sun, Falling Skies, Osprey Publishing, UK, 2015.

2) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., In the Highest Degree Tragic, The Sacrifice of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in the East Indies During World War II, Potomac Books, 2017.

3) Deck logs USS Peary retrieved 15 November 2021.

4) Northern Territory Library Roll of Honour: Browse location. www.ntlexhibit.nt.gov.au. Retrieved 20 November 2021. URL may not work.

5) Wikipedia page, USS Peary (DD-226), Retrieved 12 November 2021.

6) Wilde, E. Andrew, Jr. (Ed). U.S.S. Peary (DD-226) in World War II, Manila to Darwin, 12/10/41-2/19/42: Needham, Mass. : The Editor, 2007. http://destroyerhistory.org/assets/pdf/wilde/226Peary_wilde.pdf

7) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., A Blue Sea of Blood: deciphering the mysterious fate of the USS Edsall, Zenith Press, 2008.

8) Fold3 by Ancestry Navy Muster reports and Change reports

9) Ancestry.com Navy WWII muster and Change reports.

10) Winslow, W.G. The Fleet the Gods Forgot: The United States Asiatic Fleet in World War II, Naval Institute Press, 1982.

11) Butler, Benjamin B. US Naval Service Record, The National Personnel Records Center (NPRC), Military Personnel Records, St Louis, MO.

--------------------------------

Link to USS Peary

Memorial in Darwin, Australia with list of names of those lost in the sinking of the ship. It's a cenotaph.

https://www.maritimequest.com/misc_pages/monuments_memorials/uss_Peary_memorial.htm

-----------------

Bio sketch #423 compiled on 13 June 2023 by Gerry Lawton.

Military Hall of Honor ID# 159014

Find a Grave Memorial ID: 256546307