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Casualty Info
Home Town Charleston, SC
Last Address 1515 Wrightsboro Rd Augusta, GA
Casualty Date Apr 03, 1943
Cause KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason Other Explosive Device
Location Pacific Ocean
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Courts of the Missing at the Honolulu Memorial - Honolulu, Hawaii
Wall/Plot Coordinates Court 5 (cenotaph)
Official Badges
Unofficial Badges
Additional Information
Last Known Activity:
USS Pickerel (SS-177) began her 7th war patrol on 18 March 1943 and topped off her fuel tanks at Midway, 22 March 1943. She was never heard from again and was the first submarine lost in the Central Pacific Area. Commander Alston Jr. was listed as missing in action and later declared dead 10 August 1945.
Comments/Citation:
Service number: 070184
Command positions:
Executive Officer - USS Pickerel (SS-177) - 1/1/41-10/8/42
Commanding Officer - USS Pickerel (SS-177) - 10/8/42-death
Submarine war patrols: USS Pickerel (SS-177) - 3rd through 7th
Bronze Star
For meritorious service as Commanding Officer of (the USS PICKEREL) during a War Patrol of that vessel in enemy-controlled waters. An Aggressive leader and brilliant tactician, Lieutenant Commander Alston boldly intercepted and vigorously engaged hostile convoys and conducted intensive engagements to sink or damage an important amount of Japanese shipping. By his expert, cool and courageous action in the face of grave danger, (he) contributed essentially to the success of his ship throughout a period of bitter offensive action and his zealous devotion to duty throughout reflects the highest credit upon himself, his gallant command and the United States Naval Service.
Hull number: BB-35
Builder: Newport News Shipbuilding and Drydock Co., Va.
Keel laid: April 17, 1911
Launched: May 18, 1912
Commissioned: March 12, 1914
Length overall: 573’
Max. beam: 106’ 0.75” (width)
Height: 131’ 7.5” (approx. waterline to radar on top of foremast)
Normal freeboard: 25’ 4” at bow, 22’ at stern (approx. waterline to main deck)
Normal draft: 28’ 6” (waterline to keel)
Rated displacement: 32,000 tons unload
Rated displacement: 34,000 tons, full load
Speed: 20.4 knots (about 24 mph)
Crew Complement: - 1,580 sailors; Officers – 101; Marines – 80; Total – 1,766
Decommissioned: April 21, 1948, when she was transferred to the State of Texas serving as an active museum to this very day and monument to those who served and sacrificed their lives for freedom and liberty.
Ship’s Weapons
Main battery: 10 14-inch/45-caliber guns in 5 turrets
12" torpedo blast belt
Range: Projectiles: 13 miles
Full broadside: 1,500 pounds each (armor piercing) 1,275 pounds each (high explosive) 15,000 pounds (armor piercing)
Rate of fire: 1 round every 45 seconds
Turret crew: 70–110 men
Secondary battery: 6 5-inch/51-caliber guns
10 3-inch/50-caliber guns
Anti-aircraft: 10 40mm four-gun (quad) mounts 44 20mm guns
-Family 