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NavSource Online: Army Ship Photo Archive

Sunk in storm with all hands, 06 February 1944

Kaech (ST-39)

Awards, Citations and Campaign Ribbons

Precedence of awards is from left to right
American Campaign Medal - World War II Victory Medal

Design 257 Small Tugboat:

Built by Reliable Welding Works, Olympia, WA

Laid down, date unknown

Launched, 12 February 1943

Delivered to the US Army Transportation Corps as Kaech (ST 39), 1943

Served in Aleutians from at least May 1943

Final Disposition, foundered in storm with loss of all crew and passengers at Massacre Bay, Attu, 06 February 1944¹

^{1. ComNorPac War Diary for February 1944 reports: "Two BSPs wrecked on Army beach at Attu and Army tug ST-39 foundered in harbor losing all hands (7) as result of violent storm February 6." The casualty list on ussm.org incorrectly reports one crewman, Master Harold L. Lucas, as lost. (My sincere thanks to Jan Lettens of www.wrecksite.eu for bringing my attention to this error. The following were actually lost:

T/4 Harry Brooks Griffeth (657 94 22), Harbor Craft Detachment, Alaska

Pvt Melvin C. Freitas (657 94 22), Harbor Craft Detachment, Alaska

T/5 Robert L. Hildebrandt (16090531), Harbor Craft Detachment, Alaska

Pvt Eugene Vernon Oberg (39846017), Harbor Craft Detachment, Alaska

Pfc Harry E. Holder, Jr. (657 59 67), 159th Infantry Rgt.

S/Sgt Kendall Franklin Stuart (39678423), 32nd Infantry Rgt.

Pfc Robert C. Vega (39849526), 32nd Infantry Rgt.

The latter three were probably passengers aboard the tug.}

Specifications:
Displacement 106 gross tons
Length 74'
Beam 20'
Draft 8.4'
Speed 9.3 kts

Complement unknown

Cruise Radius unknown

Propulsion

one 6cyl Atlas-Imperial type 6BM, 400bhp

single three bladed propeller

Click On Image For Full Size Image	Size	Image Description		Source
Namesake
3015003901	14k	Edward Albert Kaech was born in Parkersburg, West Virginia, 19 January 1885. While serving as base quartermaster at March Field, California, Captain Kaech was killed in a freak accident on 24 July 1934. While out horseback riding with his daughter, a low-flying aircraft started his horse, causing it to rear. The plane's wing struck him in the head, killnig him instantly. He is interred in San Francisco National Cemetery.		Dave Wright

There is no history available for Kaech (ST-39) at NavSource

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This page was created by Gary P. Priolo and is maintained by David L. Wright

Last updated 26 August 2024