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Mtbs3.GIF
Image:mtbs3.GIF
Flagship Pennant of Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Three (Flown by LT. John D. Bulkeley USN, on PT 41)
This was a United States Naval squadron made up of six motor torpedo boats (called PT Boats) based at Cavite, Philippines, in late 1941. The Squadron was commanded by Lieutenant John D. Bulkeley USN. The boats were designated PT 31, PT 32, PT 33, PT 34, PT 35, PT 41. PT 41 served as the squadron flagship.
After the outbreak of hostilities between the United States and Japan on December 8, 1941, the squadron moved from Cavite to Sisiman Cove on Bataan Peninsula, where it helped in the defence of Bataan and the Island Fortress of Corregidor during the Japanese invasion of the Phillipines. PT's 31 and 33 were sunk during this phase.
On March 11, 1942, the remaining boats of the squadron transported General Douglas MacArthur and several high-ranking officers from Corregidor to Mindanao, an act which earned every member of the squadron the Silver Star. PT 32 was abandoned during this mission, which reduced the squadron to three boats (PT 41, PT 34, PT 35).
These three boats were based at Mindanao until mid-April 1942, where two of them (PT 41 and PT 34) attacked a large Japanese Cruiser (the KUMA), scoring at least one hit. This was the last action of the squadron. PT 34 was destroyed by Japanese aircraft, PT 35 had to be scuttled to avoid capture, and PT 41 was commandeered by the U.S. Army for the purpose of defending Lake Lanao. She was eventually scuttled as well.
Lt. Bulkeley and three other officers were later flown out to safety at MacArthur's orders, with a fifth officer joining them shortly after. These five officers were all that remained of this squadron as a result.
Their exploits were immortalized in the book and film They Were Expendable. Bulkeley won the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, the Phillipine Distingished Conduct Star, and the Silver Star during his command of the squadron, making him one of the most decorated U.S. Naval officers of World War 2.
The PT Boats of MTBS 3
- PT 31. Commanded by LT(JG) E. G. DeLong. Grounded and scuttled at Subic Bay, Luzon, 20 January 1942.
- PT 32. Commanded by LT(JG) V. S. Schumacker. Destroyed to prevent capture at Tagauayan Island, Visayas Region, 13 March 1942.
- PT 33. Commanded by LT(JG) H. J. Brantingham. Grounded and scuttled at Subic Bay, Luzon, 15 December 1941.
- PT 34. Commanded by LT(JG) R. B. Kelley. Destroyed by Air Attack at Kawit Island, Mindanao, 9 April 1942.
- PT 35. Commanded by ENS A. B. Akers. Burned to prevent capture at Cebu, Visayas Region, on 12 April 1942.
- PT 41. Commanded by LT J.D. Bulkeley. Squadron Flagship. Burned to prevent capture near Lake Lanao, Mindanao, on 15 April 1942.
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