Kusaie Island Liberation - USS Ricketts DE 254Between the signing of the capitulation documents on board USS Missouri BB 63, 2 Sept 1945 and the end of the year, Japanese garrisons on the Asiatic mainland and on bypassed islands scattered throughout the western Pacific surrendered. One such remote Pacific garrison was at Kusaie Island, Caroline Islands. USS Hyman DD 732 and USS Soley DD 707, as part of Task Unit 96.15.1, a Military Government Unit, sortied for Kusaie Island. On 8 September, Lt. Gen. Harada of the Imperial Japanese Army signed the surrender documents aboard USS Hyman, officially turning over his garrison of some 4,000 troops to Commodore Ben Wyatt, USN. Later that day Commodore Wyatt departed Kusaie on board USS Hyman leaving Soley there to enforce the surrender terms. Soley remained at Kusaie as station ship until mid-October. USS Ricketts DE 254 took part in the liberation and occupation of Kusaie from 10 September until 13 October, 1945. Alfred Schreiber, MoMM2/c, DE 254 plankowner, recorded the events of this period. His photos preserve an important part of history for you will find only a rare mention of this event written in the history books. Well Done, Mr. Schreiber. Click on a photo for a larger view. Use your back button to return to this page.
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