Acker, George Bernard, Jr., LTJG

Fallen
 
 Service Photo   Service Details
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Final Rank
Lieutenant Junior Grade
Last Designator
00X-Unknown NOC/Designator
Last Designator Group
Line Officer
Primary Unit
1944-1945, 00X, USS Long (DMS-12)
Service Years
1942 - 1945
Lieutenant Junior Grade Lieutenant Junior Grade

 Last Photo   Personal Details 



Home State
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania
Year of Birth
1920
 
This Military Service Page was created/owned by Henry W. Piel (Hank, KQ1V, VPA), RM2 to remember Acker, George Bernard, Jr., LTJG.

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Casualty Info
Home Town
Philadelphia, PA
Last Address
6131 Walker St
Philadelphia, PA

Casualty Date
Jan 07, 1945
 
Cause
KIA-Body Not Recovered
Reason
Other Explosive Device
Location
Pacific Ocean
Conflict
World War II
Location of Interment
Manila American Cemetery and Memorial - Manila, Philippines
Wall/Plot Coordinates
(cenotaph)
Military Service Number
O - 128 163

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 Additional Information
Last Known Activity:


After repairs and training at Manus, USS Long (DMS-12) departed 23 December to sweep for the landings at Lingayen Gulf, Luzon; her group was attacked 2 January 1945 in the Mindanao Sea in the first of the frequent air raids with which the Japanese attempted to repel the invasion of Luzon. Long began mine sweeps in Lingayen Gulf 6 January, evading and firing upon Japanese aircraft as she carried out her intricate mission. Shortly after noon, beginning her second run, Long spotted two Mitsubishi A6M Zeros heading for her.

Long went to 25 knots and opened fire, but a kamikaze crashed into her portside below the bridge about 1 foot above the waterline. With fires and explosions amidships, Long lost power and internal communications, and was unable to fight fires forward. Her commanding officer, Lieutenant Stanley Caplan, fearing an explosion in the forward magazine, gave permission for men trapped on the forecastle to leave the ship, but through misunderstanding, the crew aft abandoned ship. All were quickly rescued by Hovey standing by to aid the burning but still seaworthy ship.

Lieutenant Caplan prepared to lead a salvage party and board Long from Apache, but continuing heavy air attacks prevented firefighting and salvage attempts. Later that afternoon a second plane attacked Long and exploded at the same spot, destroying the bridge and breaking the ship's back. Long capsized and sank the following morning. Several of the survivors rescued by Hovey perished when Hovey herself was torpedoed and sunk by enemy planes early the next morning.

LTJG Acker was reported as missing in action and later declared dead.

   
Comments/Citation:


Service number: 128163

The information contained in this profile was compiled from various internet sources.

   

 2018, WWII Memorial National Registry
 
Title
Not Specified

Join Year
2018
   
Crest
Association Type
Era/Geographic Specific

Website
http://www.wwiimemorial.com/
Contact Phone Number
1-800-639-4WW2

Contact Email
[email protected]
Year Established
2004

Owner
Not Specified
HQ Address
Not Specified

Last Updated: May 19, 2021
   
Comments

Not Specified

   
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  4452 Also There at This Association:
  • Abrahamson, Adelbert Alexander, PO3, (1943-1946)
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