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Casualty Info
Home Town Hartford. CT
Last Address USS Liscome Bay in the Pacific.
Remembered at the Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial - Hawaii
Casualty Date Nov 24, 1943
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Torpedoed
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Buried at Sea - N/A, Pacific Ocean
Wall/Plot Coordinates Lost at sea on the USS Liscome Bay in the Pacific.
Military Service Number 57 209
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
In the predawn darkness of 24 November 1943, a Japanese submarine, I-175, torpedoed Liscome Bay—the flagship of Rear Admiral Henry M. Mullinnix—and started fires among bombs and ammunition. Fed by aviation gasoline, the flames spread rapidly, and the carrier rocked with explosions.
Captain Wiltsie immediately left the bridge and proceeded along the starboard gallery deck level to ascertain the damage to his ship, as communications had been severed early-on. Despite the tremendous structural damage and raging fires, the captain bravely headed aft to determine the full extent of the damage. Damage control efforts failed, however, and the carrier sank soon thereafter, carrying the intrepid Wiltsie, Admiral Mullinix, and 644 officers and men down with her.
CAPT Wiltsie was listed as missing in action and later declared dead.
Comments/Citation:
USS Wiltsie (DD-716) was a Gearing-class destroyer named in honor of Irving Wiltsie.
Navy Cross Citation:
Awarded for Actions During World War II
Service: Navy
Division: U.S.S.LiscomeBay (CVE-56)
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 327 (June 1944)
Citation:
"The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Captain Irving Day Wiltsie (NSN: 0-57209), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the Escort Carrier U.S.S. LISCOME BAY (CVE-56), during operations at Makin Island in the Gilbert Islands on 24 November 1943.
...
Captain Wiltsie's ship was struck by a Japanese torpedo in the predawn darkness, igniting fires among bombs and ammunition. Fed by aviation gasoline, the flames spread rapidly, and the carrier rocked with explosions. Captain Wiltsie immediately left the bridge and proceeded along the starboard gallery deck level to ascertain the damage to his ship, as communications had been severed early-on. Despite the tremendous structural damage and raging fires, the captain bravely headed aft to determine the full extent of the damage. Damage control efforts failed, however, and the carrier sank soon thereafter.
...
The conduct of Captain Wiltsie throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country."
Silver Star Citation:
Awarded for Actions During World War II
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 312 (March 1943)
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
Citation:
"The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Commander Irving Day Wiltsie (NSN: 0-57209), United States Navy, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving as Navigator on board the Aircraft Carrier U.S.S. YORKTOWN (CV-5), in action during Battle of Midway, on 4 - 6 June 1942.
...
Commander Wiltsie supplied air plot with such complete and accurate navigational information that the YORKTOWN Air Group units achieved complete success in making contact with their objectives; his expert control of the ship under the Captain's direction was responsible for avoiding two of the enemy's torpedoes. He also assumed the duties of Executive Officer when the latter was injured, and directed salvage operations.
...
Commander Wiltsie's gallant actions and selfless devotion to duty, without regard for his own safety, were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service."
