This Military Service Page was created/owned by
CWO2 Philip E. Montroy
to remember
Marine Capt Frederic Ramsey.
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Contact Info
Home Town Portland
Last Address USS Houston
MIA Date Feb 28, 1942
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Unknown, Not Reported
Location Indonesia
Location of Memorial Willamette National Cemetery (VA) - Portland, Oregon
Capt. Ramsey was killed when the USS Houston was sunk during the Battle of Sunda Strait. He was listed as "Lost/Missing-in-Action" on March 1, 1942. He remained in this status unitl declared "Officially Dead" on December 15, 1945. His body was never recovered.
3/1/1942
According to ABDA post-battle reports, the cruisers then reportedly sank one transport and forced three others to beach. It is also possible and viewed in some quarters as more likely, however, that the transports were damaged by "friendly fire" by some of the over 90 Long Lance torpedoes fired at the two ABDA cruisers by Japanese destroyers. A Japanese destroyer squadron blocked Sunda Strait, US Navy means of retreat, and the Japanese heavy cruisersMogami and Mikuma stood dangerously near. The Houston and Perth could not withdraw. Perth came under fire at 23:36 and in an hour had been sunk from gunfire and torpedo hits. On board the Houston, shells were in short supply in the forward turrets, so the crew manhandled shells from the disabled number three turret to the forward turrets. Houston then fought alone until soon after midnight, when she was struck by a torpedo and began to lose headway. Houston's gunners had scored hits on three different destroyers and sunk a minesweeper, but then suffered three more torpedo explosions in quick succession. Captain Albert Rooks was killed by a bursting shell at 00:30 and as the ship came to a stop Japanese destroyers moved in, machine gunning the decks. A few minutes later, Houston rolled over and sank, her ensign still flying. Of the original crew of 1,061 men, 368 survived, including 24 of the 74-man USMC detachment, only to be captured by the Japanese and interned in prison camps.
Of the original survivors, only 266 lived through the ordeal of filth and brutal treatment meted out to them in Japs prisoner of war camps.
Other Comments:
Capt. Ramsey has memorial markers at both the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial, Phiippines and at the Willamette National Cemetery in Portland, Oregon.