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| USN 77' Elco Motor Torpedo Boat 40 Tons 77' x 19' 11" x 4' 6" 2 x Twin .50 cal MG 4 x 21" torpedoes   USN October 11, 1941 |
Ship History Built by Electric Boat Co. (Elco) in Bayonne, NJ. Originally planned as PT-37, reclassified as a Motor Boat Submarine Chaser PTC-17 then reverted to PT-37. Laid down April 12, 1941 as 77' Elco Motor Torpedo Boat. Launched June 25, 1941 as PT-37. Completed July 18, 1941 and placed into service in the U.S. Navy (USN). On July 18, 1941 Assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 1 (MTBS 1). On August 13, 1941 transfered to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 2 (MTBS 2). On October 11, 1941 photographed with USS Jamestown (PG-55) in New York. During December 1941 assigned to the Panama Canal Zone (CZ). On July 27, 1942 assigned to Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 3 (MTBS 3). Shipped aboard a cargo ship bound for the South Pacific arriving at Nouméa. On October 25, 1942 arrives Tulagi PT Boat Base. On November 8, 1942 departs Tulagi under the command of Lt(jg) Leonard A. Nikoloric on a night patrol and spots a Japanese destroyer and released two torpedoes at 500 yards then fired a third torpedo before the enemy returned fire. On December 1, 1942 departs Tulagi at night under the command of Lt(jg) Lester H. Gamble as one of four PT Boats in positions around Savo Island with PT-59, PT-44 and PT-36. The patrol was alerted by radio of the approach of Japanese force includng five destroyers and a larger ship. At 11:35pm the PT boats deployed and met heavy gunfire. PT-37 released two torpedoes at the lead ship but failed to observe any results. Although the PT Boats failed to cause any damage, they suceeded in disrupting the Japanese operation and returned to base on December 2, 1942. On December 11, 1942 departs Tulagi at night on an overnight patrol. On December 12, 1941 in the early morning, Japanese destroyers made a "Tokyo Express" made a supply run off Cape Esperance on Guadalcanal. Patrolling, PT-37 and PT-40 spot destroyer Teruzuki steaming at slow speed. The PT Boats successfully launch their torpedoes with one hitting killing nine crew and left the destroyer dead in the water and over the next three hours, fires spread over the destroyer and reached the depth charges causing explosions and quickly sinks. Sinking History On February 1, 1943 during the night, twenty Japanese destroyers steamed down the slot as part of Operation KE, the evacuation of Japanese forces on Guadalcanal. Attacked by two waves of fighters and bombers from Henderson Field at dusk, only one destroyer was damaged. The force approached Cape Esperance, covered by half a dozen patrol planes. In response, all available PT boats were sent to the Savo-Cape Esperance area. During the interception, PT-37 under the command of Taylor and PT-47 were stationed two miles southeast of Savo. On the way to the patrol area, this boat was bombed and strafed by Japanese aircraft, but sustained no damage. Spotting Japanese ships, PT-37 fired four torpedoes and turned away but was hit by gunfire from destroyer Kawakaze in the gas tanks and burned brightly. Only crew member to survive was MM1C Eldon C. Jenter who sustained severe wounds and burns. Also sunk was PT-111. During the same enagement, PT-115 and PT-38 beached themselves on the western side of Savo Island and were later pulled off by PT-109. This was the most violent action the PT Boats participated in off Guadalcanal, and it was their last, as the Japanese completed their evacuation during the night of February 7-8, 1943. Memorials Jenter passed away on May 2, 1982. He is buried at Riverview Cemetery in Centerville, SD. References At Close Quarters PT Boats in the United States Navy (1962) pages 59, 82, 95-96, 101, 103-104 (February 1, 1943), 450-451, 484, 486, 488, 494 NavSource PT-37 (photo) FindAGrave - Eldon Curtis Jenter (grave photo) Contribute
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