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|Ship type=
|Ship type=
|Ship tonnage= 40 [[gross register tons]]
|Ship tonnage= 40 [[gross register tons]]
|Ship length= 77 feet [[Length overall|o/a]]
|Ship length= {{cvt|77|ft|m}} ([[o/a]])
|Ship beam= 19 feet 11 inches
|Ship beam= {{convert|19|ft|11|in|m}}
|Ship height= 4 feet 6 inches
|Ship height= {{convert|4|ft|6|in|m}}
|Ship draught=
|Ship draught=
|Ship propulsion= Three 1,500 hp Packard V12 M2500 gasoline engines, three shafts.
|Ship propulsion= Three 1,500 hp Packard V12 M2500 gasoline engines, three shafts.
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'''PT-20''' was the first {{sclass|PT-20|motor torpedo boat}} of the [[United States Navy]] that served during [[World War II]].
'''PT-20''' was the first {{sclass|PT-20|motor torpedo boat}} of the [[United States Navy]] that served during [[World War II]]. Her first post was at [[Pearl Harbor PT Boat Base]].


==History==
==History==
PT-20 was commissioned by the [[United States Navy]] and laid down on 14 October 1940 at the Elco Works of the [[Electric Launch Company]] (now [[Electric Boat Company]]) at their [[Bayonne, New Jersey]] shipyard; launched on 14 Mar 1941; and completed on 9 June 1941.<ref name=NS-PT20>{{Cite web|first= Joseph M.|last= Radigan|title= Motor Torpedo Boat Photo Archive PT-20 |website=NavSource - Naval Source History|url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/05020.htm |access-date=December 15, 2019}}</ref> On 20 June 1941, she was commissioned and attached to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Two (MTBRON 2) under the command of Lt. Comdr. Earl S. Caldwell and assigned to patrol the [[Panama Canal Zone]].<ref name=NS-PT20 /> On 13 August 1941, she was transferred to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron One (MTBRON 1) under the command of Lt. William C. Specht and assigned to [[Pearl Harbor]].<ref name=NS-PT20 /><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OtM_AAAAYAAJ&q=squadron+1&pg=PA59|first=Robert Johns|last=Bulkley|title=At Close Quarters: PT Boats in the United States Navy|pages= 59|publisher=[[United States Navy]]|date=1942|quote=...when Squadron 1 was directed on August 13 to prepare for assignment to the Pacific Fleet, it was assigned the most nearly complete of the remaining boats, PT's 20 to 30 and PT 42}}</ref> During the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]], ''PT-20'' was moored at berth S-13 awaiting loading on the [[replenishment oiler]] ''[[USS Ramapo (AO-12)]]'' for MTBRON 1's assignment to the Philippines.<ref name=Kilmer>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EkFefGBiJLEC&q=pearl+harbor+PT-23+crankshaft&pg=PA194|first=David|last=Kilmer|title=Daughters of Infamy: The Stories of the Ships That Survived Pearl Harbor |pages= 193–195|publisher=iUniverse|date=November 18, 2011|isbn=9781462062522}}</ref> All 12 boats of the squadron fired on the attacking Japanese aircraft with one, ''[[Patrol torpedo boat PT-23|PT-23]]'', credited with shooting down two [[Nakajima B5N|Nakajima B5N "Kate" torpedo bombers]].<ref name=Kilmer />
PT-20 was commissioned by the [[United States Navy]] and laid down on 14 October 1940 at the Elco Works of the [[Electric Launch Company]] (now [[Electric Boat Company]]) at their [[Bayonne, New Jersey]] shipyard; launched on 14 Mar 1941; and completed on 9 June 1941.<ref name=NS-PT20>{{Cite web|first= Joseph M.|last= Radigan|title= Motor Torpedo Boat Photo Archive PT-20 |website=NavSource - Naval Source History|url=http://www.navsource.org/archives/12/05020.htm |access-date=December 15, 2019}}</ref> On 20 June 1941, she was commissioned and attached to [[Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Two]] (MTBRON 2) under the command of Lt. Comdr. Earl S. Caldwell and assigned to patrol the [[Panama Canal Zone]].<ref name=NS-PT20 /> On 13 August 1941, she was transferred to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron One (MTBRON 1) under the command of Lt. William C. Specht and assigned to [[Pearl Harbor]].<ref name=NS-PT20 /><ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OtM_AAAAYAAJ&q=squadron+1&pg=PA59|first=Robert Johns|last=Bulkley|title=At Close Quarters: PT Boats in the United States Navy|pages= 59|publisher=[[United States Navy]]|date=1942|quote=...when Squadron 1 was directed on August 13 to prepare for assignment to the Pacific Fleet, it was assigned the most nearly complete of the remaining boats, PT's 20 to 30 and PT 42}}</ref> During the [[attack on Pearl Harbor]], ''PT-20'' was moored at berth S-13 awaiting loading on the [[replenishment oiler]] ''[[USS Ramapo (AO-12)]]'' for MTBRON 1's assignment to the Philippines.<ref name=Kilmer>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=EkFefGBiJLEC&q=pearl+harbor+PT-23+crankshaft&pg=PA194|first=David|last=Kilmer|title=Daughters of Infamy: The Stories of the Ships That Survived Pearl Harbor |pages= 193–195|publisher=iUniverse|date=November 18, 2011|isbn=9781462062522}}</ref> All 12 boats of the squadron fired on the attacking Japanese aircraft with one, ''[[Patrol torpedo boat PT-23|PT-23]]'', credited with shooting down two [[Nakajima B5N|Nakajima B5N "Kate" torpedo bombers]].<ref name=Kilmer />


In May 1942, the squadron was reassigned to Lt. Clinton McKellar Jr. and tasked with the defense of [[Midway Island]]<ref name=Kilmer /><ref name=Barbin>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BvG7z0B7JgIC&q=PT-23+crankshaft+midway&pg=PA400|first=Harold L.|last= Barbin|title=Beachheads Secured Volume I: The History of Patrol Torpedo (PT) Boats, Their Bases, and Tenders of World War II June 1939-August 31, 1945|pages=400 |date=November 23, 2010|isbn=9781450003643}}</ref> being led by [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] Colonel [[Harold D. Shannon]]. The squadron made the 1,385 mile trip under their own power, then the longest made by PT boats to date<ref name=Kilmer /> refueling at [[Necker Island (Hawaii)|Necker Island]], [[French Frigate Shoals]], and [[Lisianski Island]].<ref name=Bulkley79>{{cite book|title=Bulkley|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OtM_AAAAYAAJ&q=pt-23&pg=PA59|page=79|last1 = Bulkley|first1 = Robert Johns|year = 1962}}</ref> 11 of the 12 PT boats of MTBRON 1 made it to Midway (''[[Patrol torpedo boat PT-23|PT-23]]'' had broken a crankshaft en route and was forced to return to Pearl Harbor).<ref name=Kilmer /><ref name=Bulkley79/> ''PT-20'' along with ''[[Patrol torpedo boat PT-21|PT-21]]'', ''PT-22'', ''PT-24'', ''PT-25'', ''PT-26'', ''PT-27'', ''PT-28'', ''[[Patrol torpedo boat PT-42|PT-42]]'' were assigned to Midway Island while ''[[Patrol torpedo boat PT-29|PT-29]]'' and ''[[Patrol torpedo boat PT-30|PT-30]]'' were assigned to nearby [[Kure Atoll]] (55 miles west). During the [[Battle of Midway]], they were tasked with providing anti-aircraft support (''PT-21'' and ''PT-22'' were credited with downing a [[Mitsubishi A6M Zero|Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" fighter]]), patrolling the perimeter of the island, and the rescuing of downed pilots. After the battle, the squadron was sent to attack the remainder of the Japanese task force but was unable to locate the target.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/browse-by-topic/War%20and%20Conflict/WWII/midway_strategic_and_tactical_analysis.pdf|title=The Battle of Midway Including the Aleutian Phase|pages= 120|publisher=[[U.S. Naval War College]]|date=1948|quote=Meanwhile, at 1920 CNAS Midway decided to employ his motor torpedo boats as an attack squadron and sent a squadron of nine MTB's from Midway and two MTB's from Kure Island to attack the task force containing the burning carriers. They were unable to locate the target. With the coming of daylight they commenced their return to Midway.}}</ref> On 15 July 1942, the squadron returned to Pearl Harbor and then was divided: ''PT-21'', ''PT-23'', ''PT-25'', and ''PT-26'' (along with [[motor torpedo boat tender]] ''{{USS|Hilo|AGP-2|2}}'') were deployed to [[Palmyra Atoll]]; ''PT-22'', ''PT-24'', ''PT-27'', and ''PT-28'' were deployed to [[Adak Island]] in the [[Aleutians]]; while ''PT-20'', ''[[Patrol torpedo boat PT-29|PT-29]]'', ''[[Patrol torpedo boat PT-30|PT-30]]'', and ''[[Patrol torpedo boat PT-42|PT-42]]'' remained at Pearl Harbor.<ref name=Barbin/> On 22 December 1944, PT-20 was struck from the [[Navy list]] due to obsolescence.<ref name=NS-PT20 /><ref name=Kilmer/> Her fate is unknown.<ref name=NS-PT20 />
In May 1942, the squadron was reassigned to Lt. Clinton McKellar Jr. and tasked with the defense of [[Midway Island]]<ref name=Kilmer /><ref name=Barbin>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=BvG7z0B7JgIC&q=PT-23+crankshaft+midway&pg=PA400|first=Harold L.|last= Barbin|title=Beachheads Secured Volume I: The History of Patrol Torpedo (PT) Boats, Their Bases, and Tenders of World War II June 1939-August 31, 1945|pages=400 |date=November 23, 2010|publisher=Xlibris Corporation |isbn=9781450003643}}</ref> being led by [[United States Marine Corps|Marine Corps]] Colonel [[Harold D. Shannon]]. The squadron made the 1,385 mile trip under their own power, then the longest made by PT boats to date<ref name=Kilmer /> refueling at [[Necker Island (Hawaii)|Necker Island]], [[French Frigate Shoals]], and [[Lisianski Island]].<ref name=Bulkley79>{{cite book|title=Bulkley|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OtM_AAAAYAAJ&q=pt-23&pg=PA59|page=79|last1 = Bulkley|first1 = Robert Johns|year = 1962}}</ref> 11 of the 12 PT boats of MTBRON 1 made it to Midway (''[[Patrol torpedo boat PT-23|PT-23]]'' had broken a crankshaft en route and was forced to return to Pearl Harbor).<ref name=Kilmer /><ref name=Bulkley79/> ''PT-20'' along with ''[[Patrol torpedo boat PT-21|PT-21]]'', ''PT-22'', ''PT-24'', ''PT-25'', ''PT-26'', ''PT-27'', ''PT-28'', ''[[Patrol torpedo boat PT-42|PT-42]]'' were assigned to Midway Island while ''[[Patrol torpedo boat PT-29|PT-29]]'' and ''[[Patrol torpedo boat PT-30|PT-30]]'' were assigned to nearby [[Kure Atoll]] (55 miles west). During the [[Battle of Midway]], they were tasked with providing anti-aircraft support (''PT-21'' and ''PT-22'' were credited with downing a [[Mitsubishi A6M Zero|Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" fighter]]), patrolling the perimeter of the island, and the rescuing of downed pilots. After the battle, the squadron was sent to attack the remainder of the Japanese task force but was unable to locate the target.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://www.history.navy.mil/content/dam/nhhc/browse-by-topic/War%20and%20Conflict/WWII/midway_strategic_and_tactical_analysis.pdf|title=The Battle of Midway Including the Aleutian Phase|pages= 120|publisher=[[U.S. Naval War College]]|date=1948|quote=Meanwhile, at 1920 CNAS Midway decided to employ his motor torpedo boats as an attack squadron and sent a squadron of nine MTB's from Midway and two MTB's from Kure Island to attack the task force containing the burning carriers. They were unable to locate the target. With the coming of daylight they commenced their return to Midway.}}</ref> On 15 July 1942, the squadron returned to Pearl Harbor and then was divided: ''PT-21'', ''PT-23'', ''PT-25'', and ''PT-26'' (along with [[motor torpedo boat tender]] ''{{USS|Hilo|AGP-2|2}}'') were deployed to [[Palmyra Atoll]]; ''PT-22'', ''PT-24'', ''PT-27'', and ''PT-28'' were deployed to [[Adak Island]] in the [[Aleutians]]; while ''PT-20'', ''[[Patrol torpedo boat PT-29|PT-29]]'', ''[[Patrol torpedo boat PT-30|PT-30]]'', and ''[[Patrol torpedo boat PT-42|PT-42]]'' remained at Pearl Harbor.<ref name=Barbin/> On 22 December 1944, PT-20 was struck from the [[Navy list]] due to obsolescence.<ref name=NS-PT20 /><ref name=Kilmer/> Her fate is unknown.<ref name=NS-PT20 />


==References==
==References==
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{{reflist}}
{{PT boat}}

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Latest revision as of 02:30, 5 January 2025

PT-20 Underway at high speed, circa 1941.
History
United States
NamePT-20
BuilderElectric Boat Company
Laid down14 October 1940
Launched14 Mar 1941
Sponsored byUnited States Navy
Completed9 June 1941
Commissioned20 June 1941
Stricken22 December 1944
Notes
General characteristics
Class and typePatrol torpedo boat
Tonnage40 gross register tons
Length77 ft (23 m) (o/a)
Beam19 feet 11 inches (6.07 m)
Height4 feet 6 inches (1.37 m)
PropulsionThree 1,500 hp Packard V12 M2500 gasoline engines, three shafts.
ArmamentTwo twin .50 caliber Browning M2 machine guns; Two .303 caliber Lewis machine guns; 2 21" torpedo tubes; Four torpedoes
Service record
Operations:

PT-20 was the first PT-20-class motor torpedo boat of the United States Navy that served during World War II. Her first post was at Pearl Harbor PT Boat Base.

History

[edit]

PT-20 was commissioned by the United States Navy and laid down on 14 October 1940 at the Elco Works of the Electric Launch Company (now Electric Boat Company) at their Bayonne, New Jersey shipyard; launched on 14 Mar 1941; and completed on 9 June 1941.[1] On 20 June 1941, she was commissioned and attached to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Two (MTBRON 2) under the command of Lt. Comdr. Earl S. Caldwell and assigned to patrol the Panama Canal Zone.[1] On 13 August 1941, she was transferred to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron One (MTBRON 1) under the command of Lt. William C. Specht and assigned to Pearl Harbor.[1][2] During the attack on Pearl Harbor, PT-20 was moored at berth S-13 awaiting loading on the replenishment oiler USS Ramapo (AO-12) for MTBRON 1's assignment to the Philippines.[3] All 12 boats of the squadron fired on the attacking Japanese aircraft with one, PT-23, credited with shooting down two Nakajima B5N "Kate" torpedo bombers.[3]

In May 1942, the squadron was reassigned to Lt. Clinton McKellar Jr. and tasked with the defense of Midway Island[3][4] being led by Marine Corps Colonel Harold D. Shannon. The squadron made the 1,385 mile trip under their own power, then the longest made by PT boats to date[3] refueling at Necker Island, French Frigate Shoals, and Lisianski Island.[5] 11 of the 12 PT boats of MTBRON 1 made it to Midway (PT-23 had broken a crankshaft en route and was forced to return to Pearl Harbor).[3][5] PT-20 along with PT-21, PT-22, PT-24, PT-25, PT-26, PT-27, PT-28, PT-42 were assigned to Midway Island while PT-29 and PT-30 were assigned to nearby Kure Atoll (55 miles west). During the Battle of Midway, they were tasked with providing anti-aircraft support (PT-21 and PT-22 were credited with downing a Mitsubishi A6M "Zero" fighter), patrolling the perimeter of the island, and the rescuing of downed pilots. After the battle, the squadron was sent to attack the remainder of the Japanese task force but was unable to locate the target.[6] On 15 July 1942, the squadron returned to Pearl Harbor and then was divided: PT-21, PT-23, PT-25, and PT-26 (along with motor torpedo boat tender Hilo) were deployed to Palmyra Atoll; PT-22, PT-24, PT-27, and PT-28 were deployed to Adak Island in the Aleutians; while PT-20, PT-29, PT-30, and PT-42 remained at Pearl Harbor.[4] On 22 December 1944, PT-20 was struck from the Navy list due to obsolescence.[1][3] Her fate is unknown.[1]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ a b c d e Radigan, Joseph M. "Motor Torpedo Boat Photo Archive PT-20". NavSource - Naval Source History. Retrieved 15 December 2019.
  2. ^ Bulkley, Robert Johns (1942). At Close Quarters: PT Boats in the United States Navy. United States Navy. p. 59. ...when Squadron 1 was directed on August 13 to prepare for assignment to the Pacific Fleet, it was assigned the most nearly complete of the remaining boats, PT's 20 to 30 and PT 42
  3. ^ a b c d e f Kilmer, David (18 November 2011). Daughters of Infamy: The Stories of the Ships That Survived Pearl Harbor. iUniverse. pp. 193–195. ISBN 9781462062522.
  4. ^ a b Barbin, Harold L. (23 November 2010). Beachheads Secured Volume I: The History of Patrol Torpedo (PT) Boats, Their Bases, and Tenders of World War II June 1939-August 31, 1945. Xlibris Corporation. p. 400. ISBN 9781450003643.
  5. ^ a b Bulkley, Robert Johns (1962). Bulkley. p. 79.
  6. ^ The Battle of Midway Including the Aleutian Phase (PDF). U.S. Naval War College. 1948. p. 120. Meanwhile, at 1920 CNAS Midway decided to employ his motor torpedo boats as an attack squadron and sent a squadron of nine MTB's from Midway and two MTB's from Kure Island to attack the task force containing the burning carriers. They were unable to locate the target. With the coming of daylight they commenced their return to Midway.
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