TFH 1/29: Five Navy Crosses at Guadalcanal

Seventy years ago today on January 29-30, 1943, two different actions occurred during the waning days of the Guadalcanal Campaign as the Japanese attempted to evacuate their forces from the island in defeat. One action was an Allied success, the other a defeat.

Two minesweeper/corvettes of the Royal New Zealand Navy, the HMNZS Kiwi (T102) and HMNZS Moa (T233), engaged the Japanese submarine I-1 off the north shore of Guadalcanal as the sub was trying to deliver supplies to the island. Kiwi and Moa exhausted their depth charges and drove the enemy to the surface. The two New Zealand ships' guns were too small to damage the Japanese vessel, so their captains used their own ships as weapons, ramming the enemy to sink her. Three of the New Zealanders were decorated by the United States Navy for their courage in securing the overall objective of a Japanese defeat at Guadalcanal.

Further south in the Solomon Islands, a United States Navy task force approaching the main battle area with the mission of trying to stop the Japanese evacuation came under attack by enemy bombers. The Battle of Rennell Island resulted in the sinking of the heavy cruiser USS Chicago (CA-29) and heavy damage to the destroyer USS La Vallette (DD-448).


Two American sailors, one each from the Chicago and La Vallette, along with the three New Zealanders, all received the Navy Cross for their valor. In alphabetical order, here are their citations.

Carpenter Albert A. Bartholomew, USN:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Carpenter Albert Arnett Bartholomew (NSN: 202577), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in action against the enemy while serving on board the Heavy Cruiser U.S.S. CHICAGO (CA-29), in action against enemy Japanese forces near Rennell Island, Solomon Islands, on 29 and 30 January, 1943. During an attack on his ship by Japanese aircraft, Carpenter Bartholomew became aware of the perilous threat to the buoyancy and stability of his ship. Without thought for his own safety, he voluntarily entered a compartment flooded with about 5 feet of fuel oil and water, swimming nearly 30 feet through the liquid in a heavy concentration of oil fumes, in order to close a watertight door. The conduct of Carpenter Bartholomew throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

I couldn't find any information on Bartholomew's later service or life.


Lieutenant Commander Gordon Bridson, RNZNVR:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander (D.S.C.) Gordon Bridson, Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the HMNZS KIWI, during an engagement with a Japanese submarine at Kamimbo, near Guadalcanal, on 29 and 30 January 1943. Immediately upon making contact with the enemy vessel, Lieutenant Commander Bridson launched a determined depth charge attack, forcing the submarine to the surface. He scored several hits with gunfire and twice during this engagement rammed the enemy ship. Lieutenant Commander Peter Phipps, commander of HMNZS MOA then held the vessel under gunfire until he had driven it back to the beach. The actions of Lieutenant Commander Bridson contributed directly to the ultimate destruction of the enemy submarine.

Bridson received the British Empire's Distinguished Service Cross for the same action. He survived the war and passed away on December 2, 1972.


Leading Signalman Campbell H. Buchanan, RNZNVR:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Leading Signalman Campbell H. Buchanan, Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Leading Signalman of the HMNZS KIWI, during an engagement with a Japanese submarine at Kamimbo, near Guadalcanal, on 29 and 30 January 1943. Although mortally wounded and gallantly disregarding his own serious condition, Leading Signalman Buchanan remained at his battle station, skillfully training the searchlight and illuminating the target for the guns of his ship. Dauntlessly performing his task, while the corvette attacked with depth charges, forcing the Japanese submarine to the surface and ramming it, Leading Signalman Buchanan, by his intrepid devotion to duty, aided materially in the destruction of the enemy vessel.

Buchanan died of his wounds on January 31 in a military hospital at Tulagi. He was originally buried there; his remains have since been moved to and reinterred at the New Zealand War Cemetery, Bourail, New Caledonia.


Lieutenant Commander Peter Phipps, RNZNVR:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Commander (D.S.C.) Peter Phipps, Royal New Zealand Naval Volunteer Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Commanding Officer of the HMNZS MOA, during an engagement with a Japanese submarine at Kamimbo, near Guadalcanal, on 29 and 30 January 1943. Immediately upon making contact with the enemy vessel, Lieutenant Commander Bridson, Commanding Officer of HMNZS MOA, launched a determined depth charge attack, forcing the submarine to the surface. He scored several hits with gunfire and twice during this engagement rammed the enemy ship. Lieutenant Commander Peter Phipps then held the vessel under gunfire until he had driven it back to the beach. The actions of Lieutenant Commander Phipps contributed directly to the ultimate destruction of the enemy submarine.

Like Gordon Bridson, Phipps was also awarded the British Empire's Distinguished Service Cross. He is remembered as a founding father of the Royal New Zealand Navy and became the first ever Vice Admiral of that force and was later both the Chief of the Naval Staff (New Zealand) and Chief of the New Zealand Defence Force. He retired in 1968 and lost his life in a car accident in 1989.


Watertender 2nd Class Maynard W. Tollberg, USN:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Watertender Second Class Maynard William Tollberg (NSN: 3106537), United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty in action against the enemy while serving on board the Destroyer U.S.S. LaVALLETTE (DD-448), in action against enemy Japanese forces near Rennell Island, Solomon Islands, on 29 and 30 January, 1943. On that date, Watertender Second Class Tollberg was at his battle station on the upper gratings of the forward fireroom when a torpedo struck the LaVALLETTE. He reached the main deck through the fireroom hatch which had been blown open by the force of the explosion. He still had control of his mental faculties although he was burned almost beyond recognition by high pressure steam. The flesh was almost completely gone from the palms of his hands and the soles of his feet. He was partially blind. Despite his condition his first act, when he reached the main deck, was to try to operate the remote control of the quick closing oil valve. He died one hour and thirty minutes later. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

WT2 Tollberg previously served in the Navy from 1923-1927. He reenlisted after the attack on Pearl Harbor to fight for his country and was 38 years old at the time of his death. The high-speed assault transport USS Tollberg (APD-103) was named in his honor; she served the US Navy from 1945-1946.