JOHN ARTHUR FAST was born on 04 Apr 1919 in Topeka, Shawnee, KS (according to the Topeka Daily Capital, Topeka, KS - 28 Apr 1919) the eighth of nine children born to Edmond Orville and Lavenia Jackson Fast who married 20 Apr 1904 in Reno county, KS. John's siblings were Raymond Orval, Elvin Alfred, Ezra Leroy, Oscar Harold, Herbert Jesse, Edna Nancy, Esther Lela, and Homer Dencil Fast.
Edmond began his working life as a farm laborer earning enough money to buy his own small farm by 1910. By Sep 1918, Edmond had left the farm and moved to Topeka, KS for employment as a conductor on the Topeka Railway. By 1920, Edmond went into the broom manufacturing business. By 1925, the family had moved to Wichita, KS where Edmond continued in the broom manufacture business. Sometime after 1925, he gave up the broom business and bought another farm in Kiowa County, KS. Prior to 1930, his wife, Lavenia, suffered from mental health issues and was committed to a Kansas State Asylum at Osawatomie, KS where she was enumerated in the 1930 and 1940 US census. Her committal left Edmond alone to raise their large family by himself.
Timing may not have been good as the 1920s closed out with the beginning of the Great Depression and very difficult economic times, especially for farmers. In 1936, the Fast family left the farm and moved to Wichita, KS where Edmond was employed as a salesman for the E.S. Cowie Electric Co. By 1940, he worked as a night watchman.
According to a newspaper article, John Arthur graduated from Haviland, KS high school abt 1937. He was a newspaper carrier for the Wichita Eagle for a time in 1939.
With the US economy mired in the depths of the Great Depression, John had few job opportunities with which to learn life-long skills and to help his father pay the bills. For example, John worked only 16 hours in 1939. So, as many young men of that generation did, they looked toward the US Military for those opportunities as well as a chance for some adventure.
John submitted an application for enlistment into the US Navy about late December 1939 at the Naval Recruiting Station (NRS) in Wichita, KS. Over the next weeks, John completed preliminary examinations; submitted personal references, completed administrative paperwork and passed background checks. He also had to obtain his father's permission for him to enlist because he wasn't 21 years of age yet. His final requirement before enlistment was to pass physical and dental examinations that were administered in the district recruiting station in Kansas City, Jackson, MO. John, along with seven other navy recruits from the Wichita area (Alva L. Elliott, Clyde M. Williams, Harry A Callahan, Henry R. Smith, Delbert L Galey, Billie Drake and Joe A Worrell) departed Wichita on Monday evening, 12 Feb for Kansas City, MO. The next morning John and his fellow recruits passed their physical and dental examinations at the NRS in Kansas City, MO and were sworn in to the US Navy (NSN: 342-19-23) as Apprentice Seamen (AS) for four years of service on 13 Feb 1940. Later that day, the group departed by train to the Naval Training Station (NTS), Great Lakes, IL to begin 8 weeks of recruit training.
During his basic training John sat for an aptitude test that indicated he would do well in the medical field. While in recruit training, John was double counted in the 01 Apr 1940 US Census. Once at the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, and once at the Training Station Hospital. The census report for the Naval Training Station Hospital states he was "In Training." Both sheets state that he only completed the 11th grade in HS. After he completed recruit training, John was granted a short leave to return home for a visit. After his leave period, John returned to NTS Great Lakes where he received orders to report to the US Naval Hospital Corps service Class "A" school in San Diego, CA. During "A" school, AS Fast advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (S2c).
Upon completion of Hospital Corps school, Fast's rate changed to Hospital Apprentice Second Class (HA2c). HA2 Fast detached from "A" school in late August 1940 with orders to report for duty to the Naval Hospital, Puget Sound Navy Yard (USNH, PSNY) in Bremerton, WA. Fast transferred to the Receiving Ship (R/S), San Diego on 30 Aug 1940 to await his ride to Bremerton. On 10 Sep 1940, HA2c Fast reported on board the battleship, USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), as a passenger. Six days later, 16 Sep, HA2c Fast disembarked from Pennsylvania and reported to USNH, PSNY for duty.
During the next six months, HA2 Fast advanced to Hospital Apprentice First Class (HA1c). In March, 1941, FA1c Fast received orders to report to Commander In Chief, Asiatic Fleet (CINCAF) in Manila, Philippines for duty. He detached from USNH, PSNY on 17 Mar 1941 and embarked as a passenger on the ammunition ship, USS Pyro (AE-1) in Bremerton for further transfer (FFT) to CINCAF. Pyro steamed out of Bremerton on 18 Mar bound for Mare Island, CA where she arrived on 24 Mar. Later that day, HA1c Fast reported to the Receiving Ship, San Francisco (R/S, SF) to await his next ride to Manila, Philippines. On 09 Apr, Fast detached from R/S, SF and continued his transit to CINCAF via the transport ship, USS Henderson (AP-1) reporting as a passenger later that day.
Henderson got underway on 10 Apr from San Francisco and steamed to Manila via a stop in San Pedro, CA. She arrived in Manila on 15 May 1941 where Fast disembarked and report to Commander, Sixteenth Naval District (COMSIXTEEN) for assignment. He was temporarily assigned to the US Naval Hospital (USNH) Canacao, Philippines. He detached from that hospital on 26 May and reported for duty to the fleet oiler, USS Pecos (AO-6) later that day. Several months later on 08 Aug 1941, HA1c Fast advanced in rate to Pharmacist's Mate Third Class (PhM3).
Prelude to WAR!
During 1941, ships of the Asiatic Fleet operated mainly in the Philippine operating area as international tensions between the Japanese and the United States inexorably moved toward open conflict. Admiral Hart determined then it was time to send all of the families of his sailors home. There was push-back from the resentful spouses who initially declined to leave their husbands. It was only a threat to indefinitely restrict their spouses to their ships without leave that finally convinced the families; it was time to comply with orders and return to the continental United States (CONUS). Admiral Hart's directive probably saved many family members from internment by the Japanese or worse. For many of the married sailors, it was the last time they would ever see their families.
Then, in July 1941, as Japanese aggression intensified with their move south into lower Indo-China, Admiral Hart warned his officers that he had no doubt that war would come although he didn't know how or when it would start. Hart trained his destroyer/cruiser crews hard keeping them on a war-footing for extended periods and away from Cavite naval base as much as possible exercising his "defensive deployment."
War Begins.
In late Nov 1941, Adm Hart dispersed his forces as a precaution given the imminence of war. In the predawn hours of 8 Dec 1941 (7 Dec east of the International Date Line) word was received that Japan had launched simultaneous attacks against Pearl Harbor, Philippines and Malaya and that hostilities against Japan had commenced. Later that day, Japanese attack aircraft struck the US Army Air Field at Clark Field, Philippines.
However, much of Admiral Hart's naval force had left and were at sea enroute to Surabaya, Java. Only US Army Air Forces under the command of General Douglas MacArthur were caught completely by surprise and were destroyed on the ground. The USS Langley was anchored in Manila Bay, off Cavite, when Japanese bombers attacked Clark Field. That evening Langley led two tankers, USS Pecos (AO-6) and USS Trinity (AO-13) out of Manila Bay, past Corregidor, steaming south toward the Netherlands East Indies. During their voyage south, Langley tended PBYs of Patrol Wing Ten, and Pecos fueled ships of the withdrawing Asiatic fleet.
The heavy cruiser USS Houston (CA-30) got underway from her anchorage on 8 Dec to meet groups of auxiliary vessels that had been ordered south from Manila Bay soon after the outbreak of hostilities. On 10 Dec, Japanese bombers attack the naval base at Cavite. On 11 Dec, Houston sighted the first of two convoys she was to escort. The convoy ships had been dispatched from Manila soon after the war began. That group comprised the seaplane tender, Langley (AV-3), and the oilers Pecos (AO-6) and Trinity (AO-13) screened by the destroyers John D. Ford (DD-228) and Pope (DD-225). Late the next day (12 Dec), Houston sighted the second convoy, comprising submarine tenders Holland (AS-3) and Otus (AS-20) and Isabel (PY-10) escorted by the same two destroyers. The vital auxiliaries reached Balikpapan, Borneo, late on 14 December. Several days later, the auxiliaries steamed to Makassar, Celebes. On 21 Dec, Pecos, Otus, Trinity and later USS Gold Star (AG-12), steaming to Darwin, rendezvoused with their escorts led by Houston several days later. They arrived in Darwin on 28 Dec 1941.
During January 1942, Pecos steamed to various locations around the Java sea refueling Allied warships. Beginning on 6 Feb 42, she was moored in Tjilatjap receiving fuel oil and pumping it into Dutch, British and American warships. Her commanding officer, Cdr Abernethy had attempted on multiple occasions to gain permission to get underway and head for the open sea as enemy Japanese forces moved rapidly south. The situation for a safe escape for Pecos became more improbable as each day came and went. Cdr Abernethy knew his chances of escaping the Japanese carrier force prowling the Indian Ocean were slim. On 25 Feb, he refused to accept any wounded passengers who were not ambulatory and who could not take care of themselves.1 He also had the foresight to bring aboard large numbers of Bamboo poles then lash them to the upper decks for flotation for swimmers if the ship was sunk. Finally, on 27 Feb, Pecos received orders to leave port in the morning to make room for the USS Langley that was expected to dock later in the morning.
Three hours out of Tjilatjap, Pecos radiomen intercepted some of Langley's last radio transmission giving the tender's position and condition (she was under attack by enemy aircraft). Within half an hour Pecos received word that Langley's survivors were being picked up the destroyers, USS Edsall and USS Whipple. An hour later, Pecos received orders to proceed to Christmas Island, about 250 nm southwest of Tjilatjap to meet Edsall and Whipple to take on board survivors. Edsall rescued 177 survivors and Whipple rescued 308. Pecos was then to proceed to Exmouth Gulf off Australia's west coast. Pecos already had survivors on board from USS Houston, Stewart and Marblehead taken on board in Tjilatjap. The added number of survivors would bring her on board count to over 700 personnel when Pecos' normal complement was approximately 317 officers and enlisted crew.
On 28 February, the two destroyers rendezvoused with the Pecos off Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island. A sudden attack by land based Japanese bombers forced Pecos and the other ships to head for the open sea. They headed directly south into the Indian Ocean for the rest of 28 February in high winds and heavy seas. Early in the pre-dawn hours of 1 March, Whipple and Edsall transferred all the Langley survivors to Pecos. Whipple then set off for Cocos Islands as protection for the tanker Belita sent to meet her there. The Pecos, carrying a large number of survivors set course to Australia. On board were three doctors.
Edsall had retained 32 USAAF personnel from Langley needed to assemble and fly an additional 27 P-40E fighters shipped to Tjilatjap aboard the transport Sea Witch. Edsall was instructed to return these "fighter crews" to Tjilatjap. At 0830, she reversed course and headed back to the northeast for Java.
At noon that day, planes from Japanese aircraft carrier Soryu attacked Pecos and struck again an hour later. Finally, in mid-afternoon, third and fourth strikes from aircraft carriers Hiryu and Akagi fatally wounded the Pecos. She did not go down without a fight, however. While under attack, Pecos radioed for help. After Pecos sank, Whipple returned to the scene intentionally arriving after dark. She eventually rescued 233 survivors. Many other survivors, although visible to crewmembers on board Whipple, had to be abandoned at sea because Whipple made sonar contact with what was believed to be several Japanese submarines. It was just too dangerous for her to remain in the area. She steamed to Australia where she safely arrived in Fremantle, Australia on 04 Mar 1942.
PhM3 Fast was listed as missing in action on 01 Mar 1942. His remains were unrecoverable. He was presumed dead on 15 Dec 1945.
According to BUPERS Information Bulletin (Currently called All Hands Magazine) #306 Sept 1942 (p.21), John Arthur Fast, Pharmacist's Mate 3d Class, U.S.N. was one of 28 men who received a letter of commendation from Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox for heroism and for outstanding performance of duty when the USS Pecos was sunk by the Japanese in waters south of Java. PhM3 Fast was commended for "coolly, calmly, and bravely performing all duties in an outstanding manner throughout the action."
Fast was also (posthumously) awarded the Purple Heart, American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Fleet Clasp (one bronze star in lieu of fleet clasp) and second bronze star, Philippine Defense Medal with Fleet Clasp, and the World War II Victory Medal. He may have been eligible for the Combat Action Ribbon.
------------------------
A commemoration in honor of PhM3 Fast's service from President Harry S. Truman reads:
In Grateful Memory of John Arthur Fast, Who Died In The Service Of His Country at Sea, Asiatic Area, attached U.S.S. Pecos, 15 December 1945 (presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives – in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.
Signed,
Harry Truman
President of the United States of America
--------------------------
Partial list of sources:
1)Messimer, Dwight R. Pawns of War: the Loss of the USS Langley and the USS Pecos. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. 1983.
2) Kehn, Donald M., Jr. A Blue Sea of Blood. Minneapolis: Zenith Press, 2008.
3) Kehn, Donald M., Jr. In the Highest Degree Tragic: The Sacrifice of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in the East Indies during World War II. Potomac Books, University of Nebraska Press. 2017.
4) Various Navy Muster and Change reports, Ancestry.com and Fold3.com
5) Various newspaper articles
6) USS Pecos and USS Whipple Wiki pages on-line.
------------------------
[Bio ##339 composed by Gerry Lawton (GML470/G47)]
Military Hall of Honor ID#135920
~
Entered the service from Kansas.
~
NARA War Department records list his Next of Kin's Home of Record as Father: Mr. Edmond O. Fast, 331 Ellis Avenue; Wichita, Kansas...Perished when the USS PECOS (AO-6) was sunk by Japanese planes on March 1st, 1942...Declared dead on December 15, 1945.
Edmond began his working life as a farm laborer earning enough money to buy his own small farm by 1910. By Sep 1918, Edmond had left the farm and moved to Topeka, KS for employment as a conductor on the Topeka Railway. By 1920, Edmond went into the broom manufacturing business. By 1925, the family had moved to Wichita, KS where Edmond continued in the broom manufacture business. Sometime after 1925, he gave up the broom business and bought another farm in Kiowa County, KS. Prior to 1930, his wife, Lavenia, suffered from mental health issues and was committed to a Kansas State Asylum at Osawatomie, KS where she was enumerated in the 1930 and 1940 US census. Her committal left Edmond alone to raise their large family by himself.
Timing may not have been good as the 1920s closed out with the beginning of the Great Depression and very difficult economic times, especially for farmers. In 1936, the Fast family left the farm and moved to Wichita, KS where Edmond was employed as a salesman for the E.S. Cowie Electric Co. By 1940, he worked as a night watchman.
According to a newspaper article, John Arthur graduated from Haviland, KS high school abt 1937. He was a newspaper carrier for the Wichita Eagle for a time in 1939.
With the US economy mired in the depths of the Great Depression, John had few job opportunities with which to learn life-long skills and to help his father pay the bills. For example, John worked only 16 hours in 1939. So, as many young men of that generation did, they looked toward the US Military for those opportunities as well as a chance for some adventure.
John submitted an application for enlistment into the US Navy about late December 1939 at the Naval Recruiting Station (NRS) in Wichita, KS. Over the next weeks, John completed preliminary examinations; submitted personal references, completed administrative paperwork and passed background checks. He also had to obtain his father's permission for him to enlist because he wasn't 21 years of age yet. His final requirement before enlistment was to pass physical and dental examinations that were administered in the district recruiting station in Kansas City, Jackson, MO. John, along with seven other navy recruits from the Wichita area (Alva L. Elliott, Clyde M. Williams, Harry A Callahan, Henry R. Smith, Delbert L Galey, Billie Drake and Joe A Worrell) departed Wichita on Monday evening, 12 Feb for Kansas City, MO. The next morning John and his fellow recruits passed their physical and dental examinations at the NRS in Kansas City, MO and were sworn in to the US Navy (NSN: 342-19-23) as Apprentice Seamen (AS) for four years of service on 13 Feb 1940. Later that day, the group departed by train to the Naval Training Station (NTS), Great Lakes, IL to begin 8 weeks of recruit training.
During his basic training John sat for an aptitude test that indicated he would do well in the medical field. While in recruit training, John was double counted in the 01 Apr 1940 US Census. Once at the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, and once at the Training Station Hospital. The census report for the Naval Training Station Hospital states he was "In Training." Both sheets state that he only completed the 11th grade in HS. After he completed recruit training, John was granted a short leave to return home for a visit. After his leave period, John returned to NTS Great Lakes where he received orders to report to the US Naval Hospital Corps service Class "A" school in San Diego, CA. During "A" school, AS Fast advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (S2c).
Upon completion of Hospital Corps school, Fast's rate changed to Hospital Apprentice Second Class (HA2c). HA2 Fast detached from "A" school in late August 1940 with orders to report for duty to the Naval Hospital, Puget Sound Navy Yard (USNH, PSNY) in Bremerton, WA. Fast transferred to the Receiving Ship (R/S), San Diego on 30 Aug 1940 to await his ride to Bremerton. On 10 Sep 1940, HA2c Fast reported on board the battleship, USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), as a passenger. Six days later, 16 Sep, HA2c Fast disembarked from Pennsylvania and reported to USNH, PSNY for duty.
During the next six months, HA2 Fast advanced to Hospital Apprentice First Class (HA1c). In March, 1941, FA1c Fast received orders to report to Commander In Chief, Asiatic Fleet (CINCAF) in Manila, Philippines for duty. He detached from USNH, PSNY on 17 Mar 1941 and embarked as a passenger on the ammunition ship, USS Pyro (AE-1) in Bremerton for further transfer (FFT) to CINCAF. Pyro steamed out of Bremerton on 18 Mar bound for Mare Island, CA where she arrived on 24 Mar. Later that day, HA1c Fast reported to the Receiving Ship, San Francisco (R/S, SF) to await his next ride to Manila, Philippines. On 09 Apr, Fast detached from R/S, SF and continued his transit to CINCAF via the transport ship, USS Henderson (AP-1) reporting as a passenger later that day.
Henderson got underway on 10 Apr from San Francisco and steamed to Manila via a stop in San Pedro, CA. She arrived in Manila on 15 May 1941 where Fast disembarked and report to Commander, Sixteenth Naval District (COMSIXTEEN) for assignment. He was temporarily assigned to the US Naval Hospital (USNH) Canacao, Philippines. He detached from that hospital on 26 May and reported for duty to the fleet oiler, USS Pecos (AO-6) later that day. Several months later on 08 Aug 1941, HA1c Fast advanced in rate to Pharmacist's Mate Third Class (PhM3).
Prelude to WAR!
During 1941, ships of the Asiatic Fleet operated mainly in the Philippine operating area as international tensions between the Japanese and the United States inexorably moved toward open conflict. Admiral Hart determined then it was time to send all of the families of his sailors home. There was push-back from the resentful spouses who initially declined to leave their husbands. It was only a threat to indefinitely restrict their spouses to their ships without leave that finally convinced the families; it was time to comply with orders and return to the continental United States (CONUS). Admiral Hart's directive probably saved many family members from internment by the Japanese or worse. For many of the married sailors, it was the last time they would ever see their families.
Then, in July 1941, as Japanese aggression intensified with their move south into lower Indo-China, Admiral Hart warned his officers that he had no doubt that war would come although he didn't know how or when it would start. Hart trained his destroyer/cruiser crews hard keeping them on a war-footing for extended periods and away from Cavite naval base as much as possible exercising his "defensive deployment."
War Begins.
In late Nov 1941, Adm Hart dispersed his forces as a precaution given the imminence of war. In the predawn hours of 8 Dec 1941 (7 Dec east of the International Date Line) word was received that Japan had launched simultaneous attacks against Pearl Harbor, Philippines and Malaya and that hostilities against Japan had commenced. Later that day, Japanese attack aircraft struck the US Army Air Field at Clark Field, Philippines.
However, much of Admiral Hart's naval force had left and were at sea enroute to Surabaya, Java. Only US Army Air Forces under the command of General Douglas MacArthur were caught completely by surprise and were destroyed on the ground. The USS Langley was anchored in Manila Bay, off Cavite, when Japanese bombers attacked Clark Field. That evening Langley led two tankers, USS Pecos (AO-6) and USS Trinity (AO-13) out of Manila Bay, past Corregidor, steaming south toward the Netherlands East Indies. During their voyage south, Langley tended PBYs of Patrol Wing Ten, and Pecos fueled ships of the withdrawing Asiatic fleet.
The heavy cruiser USS Houston (CA-30) got underway from her anchorage on 8 Dec to meet groups of auxiliary vessels that had been ordered south from Manila Bay soon after the outbreak of hostilities. On 10 Dec, Japanese bombers attack the naval base at Cavite. On 11 Dec, Houston sighted the first of two convoys she was to escort. The convoy ships had been dispatched from Manila soon after the war began. That group comprised the seaplane tender, Langley (AV-3), and the oilers Pecos (AO-6) and Trinity (AO-13) screened by the destroyers John D. Ford (DD-228) and Pope (DD-225). Late the next day (12 Dec), Houston sighted the second convoy, comprising submarine tenders Holland (AS-3) and Otus (AS-20) and Isabel (PY-10) escorted by the same two destroyers. The vital auxiliaries reached Balikpapan, Borneo, late on 14 December. Several days later, the auxiliaries steamed to Makassar, Celebes. On 21 Dec, Pecos, Otus, Trinity and later USS Gold Star (AG-12), steaming to Darwin, rendezvoused with their escorts led by Houston several days later. They arrived in Darwin on 28 Dec 1941.
During January 1942, Pecos steamed to various locations around the Java sea refueling Allied warships. Beginning on 6 Feb 42, she was moored in Tjilatjap receiving fuel oil and pumping it into Dutch, British and American warships. Her commanding officer, Cdr Abernethy had attempted on multiple occasions to gain permission to get underway and head for the open sea as enemy Japanese forces moved rapidly south. The situation for a safe escape for Pecos became more improbable as each day came and went. Cdr Abernethy knew his chances of escaping the Japanese carrier force prowling the Indian Ocean were slim. On 25 Feb, he refused to accept any wounded passengers who were not ambulatory and who could not take care of themselves.1 He also had the foresight to bring aboard large numbers of Bamboo poles then lash them to the upper decks for flotation for swimmers if the ship was sunk. Finally, on 27 Feb, Pecos received orders to leave port in the morning to make room for the USS Langley that was expected to dock later in the morning.
Three hours out of Tjilatjap, Pecos radiomen intercepted some of Langley's last radio transmission giving the tender's position and condition (she was under attack by enemy aircraft). Within half an hour Pecos received word that Langley's survivors were being picked up the destroyers, USS Edsall and USS Whipple. An hour later, Pecos received orders to proceed to Christmas Island, about 250 nm southwest of Tjilatjap to meet Edsall and Whipple to take on board survivors. Edsall rescued 177 survivors and Whipple rescued 308. Pecos was then to proceed to Exmouth Gulf off Australia's west coast. Pecos already had survivors on board from USS Houston, Stewart and Marblehead taken on board in Tjilatjap. The added number of survivors would bring her on board count to over 700 personnel when Pecos' normal complement was approximately 317 officers and enlisted crew.
On 28 February, the two destroyers rendezvoused with the Pecos off Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island. A sudden attack by land based Japanese bombers forced Pecos and the other ships to head for the open sea. They headed directly south into the Indian Ocean for the rest of 28 February in high winds and heavy seas. Early in the pre-dawn hours of 1 March, Whipple and Edsall transferred all the Langley survivors to Pecos. Whipple then set off for Cocos Islands as protection for the tanker Belita sent to meet her there. The Pecos, carrying a large number of survivors set course to Australia. On board were three doctors.
Edsall had retained 32 USAAF personnel from Langley needed to assemble and fly an additional 27 P-40E fighters shipped to Tjilatjap aboard the transport Sea Witch. Edsall was instructed to return these "fighter crews" to Tjilatjap. At 0830, she reversed course and headed back to the northeast for Java.
At noon that day, planes from Japanese aircraft carrier Soryu attacked Pecos and struck again an hour later. Finally, in mid-afternoon, third and fourth strikes from aircraft carriers Hiryu and Akagi fatally wounded the Pecos. She did not go down without a fight, however. While under attack, Pecos radioed for help. After Pecos sank, Whipple returned to the scene intentionally arriving after dark. She eventually rescued 233 survivors. Many other survivors, although visible to crewmembers on board Whipple, had to be abandoned at sea because Whipple made sonar contact with what was believed to be several Japanese submarines. It was just too dangerous for her to remain in the area. She steamed to Australia where she safely arrived in Fremantle, Australia on 04 Mar 1942.
PhM3 Fast was listed as missing in action on 01 Mar 1942. His remains were unrecoverable. He was presumed dead on 15 Dec 1945.
According to BUPERS Information Bulletin (Currently called All Hands Magazine) #306 Sept 1942 (p.21), John Arthur Fast, Pharmacist's Mate 3d Class, U.S.N. was one of 28 men who received a letter of commendation from Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox for heroism and for outstanding performance of duty when the USS Pecos was sunk by the Japanese in waters south of Java. PhM3 Fast was commended for "coolly, calmly, and bravely performing all duties in an outstanding manner throughout the action."
Fast was also (posthumously) awarded the Purple Heart, American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Fleet Clasp (one bronze star in lieu of fleet clasp) and second bronze star, Philippine Defense Medal with Fleet Clasp, and the World War II Victory Medal. He may have been eligible for the Combat Action Ribbon.
------------------------
A commemoration in honor of PhM3 Fast's service from President Harry S. Truman reads:
In Grateful Memory of John Arthur Fast, Who Died In The Service Of His Country at Sea, Asiatic Area, attached U.S.S. Pecos, 15 December 1945 (presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives – in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.
Signed,
Harry Truman
President of the United States of America
--------------------------
Partial list of sources:
1)Messimer, Dwight R. Pawns of War: the Loss of the USS Langley and the USS Pecos. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. 1983.
2) Kehn, Donald M., Jr. A Blue Sea of Blood. Minneapolis: Zenith Press, 2008.
3) Kehn, Donald M., Jr. In the Highest Degree Tragic: The Sacrifice of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in the East Indies during World War II. Potomac Books, University of Nebraska Press. 2017.
4) Various Navy Muster and Change reports, Ancestry.com and Fold3.com
5) Various newspaper articles
6) USS Pecos and USS Whipple Wiki pages on-line.
------------------------
[Bio ##339 composed by Gerry Lawton (GML470/G47)]
Military Hall of Honor ID#135920
~
Entered the service from Kansas.
~
NARA War Department records list his Next of Kin's Home of Record as Father: Mr. Edmond O. Fast, 331 Ellis Avenue; Wichita, Kansas...Perished when the USS PECOS (AO-6) was sunk by Japanese planes on March 1st, 1942...Declared dead on December 15, 1945.
JOHN ARTHUR FAST was born on 04 Apr 1919 in Topeka, Shawnee, KS (according to the Topeka Daily Capital, Topeka, KS - 28 Apr 1919) the eighth of nine children born to Edmond Orville and Lavenia Jackson Fast who married 20 Apr 1904 in Reno county, KS. John's siblings were Raymond Orval, Elvin Alfred, Ezra Leroy, Oscar Harold, Herbert Jesse, Edna Nancy, Esther Lela, and Homer Dencil Fast.
Edmond began his working life as a farm laborer earning enough money to buy his own small farm by 1910. By Sep 1918, Edmond had left the farm and moved to Topeka, KS for employment as a conductor on the Topeka Railway. By 1920, Edmond went into the broom manufacturing business. By 1925, the family had moved to Wichita, KS where Edmond continued in the broom manufacture business. Sometime after 1925, he gave up the broom business and bought another farm in Kiowa County, KS. Prior to 1930, his wife, Lavenia, suffered from mental health issues and was committed to a Kansas State Asylum at Osawatomie, KS where she was enumerated in the 1930 and 1940 US census. Her committal left Edmond alone to raise their large family by himself.
Timing may not have been good as the 1920s closed out with the beginning of the Great Depression and very difficult economic times, especially for farmers. In 1936, the Fast family left the farm and moved to Wichita, KS where Edmond was employed as a salesman for the E.S. Cowie Electric Co. By 1940, he worked as a night watchman.
According to a newspaper article, John Arthur graduated from Haviland, KS high school abt 1937. He was a newspaper carrier for the Wichita Eagle for a time in 1939.
With the US economy mired in the depths of the Great Depression, John had few job opportunities with which to learn life-long skills and to help his father pay the bills. For example, John worked only 16 hours in 1939. So, as many young men of that generation did, they looked toward the US Military for those opportunities as well as a chance for some adventure.
John submitted an application for enlistment into the US Navy about late December 1939 at the Naval Recruiting Station (NRS) in Wichita, KS. Over the next weeks, John completed preliminary examinations; submitted personal references, completed administrative paperwork and passed background checks. He also had to obtain his father's permission for him to enlist because he wasn't 21 years of age yet. His final requirement before enlistment was to pass physical and dental examinations that were administered in the district recruiting station in Kansas City, Jackson, MO. John, along with seven other navy recruits from the Wichita area (Alva L. Elliott, Clyde M. Williams, Harry A Callahan, Henry R. Smith, Delbert L Galey, Billie Drake and Joe A Worrell) departed Wichita on Monday evening, 12 Feb for Kansas City, MO. The next morning John and his fellow recruits passed their physical and dental examinations at the NRS in Kansas City, MO and were sworn in to the US Navy (NSN: 342-19-23) as Apprentice Seamen (AS) for four years of service on 13 Feb 1940. Later that day, the group departed by train to the Naval Training Station (NTS), Great Lakes, IL to begin 8 weeks of recruit training.
During his basic training John sat for an aptitude test that indicated he would do well in the medical field. While in recruit training, John was double counted in the 01 Apr 1940 US Census. Once at the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, and once at the Training Station Hospital. The census report for the Naval Training Station Hospital states he was "In Training." Both sheets state that he only completed the 11th grade in HS. After he completed recruit training, John was granted a short leave to return home for a visit. After his leave period, John returned to NTS Great Lakes where he received orders to report to the US Naval Hospital Corps service Class "A" school in San Diego, CA. During "A" school, AS Fast advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (S2c).
Upon completion of Hospital Corps school, Fast's rate changed to Hospital Apprentice Second Class (HA2c). HA2 Fast detached from "A" school in late August 1940 with orders to report for duty to the Naval Hospital, Puget Sound Navy Yard (USNH, PSNY) in Bremerton, WA. Fast transferred to the Receiving Ship (R/S), San Diego on 30 Aug 1940 to await his ride to Bremerton. On 10 Sep 1940, HA2c Fast reported on board the battleship, USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), as a passenger. Six days later, 16 Sep, HA2c Fast disembarked from Pennsylvania and reported to USNH, PSNY for duty.
During the next six months, HA2 Fast advanced to Hospital Apprentice First Class (HA1c). In March, 1941, FA1c Fast received orders to report to Commander In Chief, Asiatic Fleet (CINCAF) in Manila, Philippines for duty. He detached from USNH, PSNY on 17 Mar 1941 and embarked as a passenger on the ammunition ship, USS Pyro (AE-1) in Bremerton for further transfer (FFT) to CINCAF. Pyro steamed out of Bremerton on 18 Mar bound for Mare Island, CA where she arrived on 24 Mar. Later that day, HA1c Fast reported to the Receiving Ship, San Francisco (R/S, SF) to await his next ride to Manila, Philippines. On 09 Apr, Fast detached from R/S, SF and continued his transit to CINCAF via the transport ship, USS Henderson (AP-1) reporting as a passenger later that day.
Henderson got underway on 10 Apr from San Francisco and steamed to Manila via a stop in San Pedro, CA. She arrived in Manila on 15 May 1941 where Fast disembarked and report to Commander, Sixteenth Naval District (COMSIXTEEN) for assignment. He was temporarily assigned to the US Naval Hospital (USNH) Canacao, Philippines. He detached from that hospital on 26 May and reported for duty to the fleet oiler, USS Pecos (AO-6) later that day. Several months later on 08 Aug 1941, HA1c Fast advanced in rate to Pharmacist's Mate Third Class (PhM3).
Prelude to WAR!
During 1941, ships of the Asiatic Fleet operated mainly in the Philippine operating area as international tensions between the Japanese and the United States inexorably moved toward open conflict. Admiral Hart determined then it was time to send all of the families of his sailors home. There was push-back from the resentful spouses who initially declined to leave their husbands. It was only a threat to indefinitely restrict their spouses to their ships without leave that finally convinced the families; it was time to comply with orders and return to the continental United States (CONUS). Admiral Hart's directive probably saved many family members from internment by the Japanese or worse. For many of the married sailors, it was the last time they would ever see their families.
Then, in July 1941, as Japanese aggression intensified with their move south into lower Indo-China, Admiral Hart warned his officers that he had no doubt that war would come although he didn't know how or when it would start. Hart trained his destroyer/cruiser crews hard keeping them on a war-footing for extended periods and away from Cavite naval base as much as possible exercising his "defensive deployment."
War Begins.
In late Nov 1941, Adm Hart dispersed his forces as a precaution given the imminence of war. In the predawn hours of 8 Dec 1941 (7 Dec east of the International Date Line) word was received that Japan had launched simultaneous attacks against Pearl Harbor, Philippines and Malaya and that hostilities against Japan had commenced. Later that day, Japanese attack aircraft struck the US Army Air Field at Clark Field, Philippines.
However, much of Admiral Hart's naval force had left and were at sea enroute to Surabaya, Java. Only US Army Air Forces under the command of General Douglas MacArthur were caught completely by surprise and were destroyed on the ground. The USS Langley was anchored in Manila Bay, off Cavite, when Japanese bombers attacked Clark Field. That evening Langley led two tankers, USS Pecos (AO-6) and USS Trinity (AO-13) out of Manila Bay, past Corregidor, steaming south toward the Netherlands East Indies. During their voyage south, Langley tended PBYs of Patrol Wing Ten, and Pecos fueled ships of the withdrawing Asiatic fleet.
The heavy cruiser USS Houston (CA-30) got underway from her anchorage on 8 Dec to meet groups of auxiliary vessels that had been ordered south from Manila Bay soon after the outbreak of hostilities. On 10 Dec, Japanese bombers attack the naval base at Cavite. On 11 Dec, Houston sighted the first of two convoys she was to escort. The convoy ships had been dispatched from Manila soon after the war began. That group comprised the seaplane tender, Langley (AV-3), and the oilers Pecos (AO-6) and Trinity (AO-13) screened by the destroyers John D. Ford (DD-228) and Pope (DD-225). Late the next day (12 Dec), Houston sighted the second convoy, comprising submarine tenders Holland (AS-3) and Otus (AS-20) and Isabel (PY-10) escorted by the same two destroyers. The vital auxiliaries reached Balikpapan, Borneo, late on 14 December. Several days later, the auxiliaries steamed to Makassar, Celebes. On 21 Dec, Pecos, Otus, Trinity and later USS Gold Star (AG-12), steaming to Darwin, rendezvoused with their escorts led by Houston several days later. They arrived in Darwin on 28 Dec 1941.
During January 1942, Pecos steamed to various locations around the Java sea refueling Allied warships. Beginning on 6 Feb 42, she was moored in Tjilatjap receiving fuel oil and pumping it into Dutch, British and American warships. Her commanding officer, Cdr Abernethy had attempted on multiple occasions to gain permission to get underway and head for the open sea as enemy Japanese forces moved rapidly south. The situation for a safe escape for Pecos became more improbable as each day came and went. Cdr Abernethy knew his chances of escaping the Japanese carrier force prowling the Indian Ocean were slim. On 25 Feb, he refused to accept any wounded passengers who were not ambulatory and who could not take care of themselves.1 He also had the foresight to bring aboard large numbers of Bamboo poles then lash them to the upper decks for flotation for swimmers if the ship was sunk. Finally, on 27 Feb, Pecos received orders to leave port in the morning to make room for the USS Langley that was expected to dock later in the morning.
Three hours out of Tjilatjap, Pecos radiomen intercepted some of Langley's last radio transmission giving the tender's position and condition (she was under attack by enemy aircraft). Within half an hour Pecos received word that Langley's survivors were being picked up the destroyers, USS Edsall and USS Whipple. An hour later, Pecos received orders to proceed to Christmas Island, about 250 nm southwest of Tjilatjap to meet Edsall and Whipple to take on board survivors. Edsall rescued 177 survivors and Whipple rescued 308. Pecos was then to proceed to Exmouth Gulf off Australia's west coast. Pecos already had survivors on board from USS Houston, Stewart and Marblehead taken on board in Tjilatjap. The added number of survivors would bring her on board count to over 700 personnel when Pecos' normal complement was approximately 317 officers and enlisted crew.
On 28 February, the two destroyers rendezvoused with the Pecos off Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island. A sudden attack by land based Japanese bombers forced Pecos and the other ships to head for the open sea. They headed directly south into the Indian Ocean for the rest of 28 February in high winds and heavy seas. Early in the pre-dawn hours of 1 March, Whipple and Edsall transferred all the Langley survivors to Pecos. Whipple then set off for Cocos Islands as protection for the tanker Belita sent to meet her there. The Pecos, carrying a large number of survivors set course to Australia. On board were three doctors.
Edsall had retained 32 USAAF personnel from Langley needed to assemble and fly an additional 27 P-40E fighters shipped to Tjilatjap aboard the transport Sea Witch. Edsall was instructed to return these "fighter crews" to Tjilatjap. At 0830, she reversed course and headed back to the northeast for Java.
At noon that day, planes from Japanese aircraft carrier Soryu attacked Pecos and struck again an hour later. Finally, in mid-afternoon, third and fourth strikes from aircraft carriers Hiryu and Akagi fatally wounded the Pecos. She did not go down without a fight, however. While under attack, Pecos radioed for help. After Pecos sank, Whipple returned to the scene intentionally arriving after dark. She eventually rescued 233 survivors. Many other survivors, although visible to crewmembers on board Whipple, had to be abandoned at sea because Whipple made sonar contact with what was believed to be several Japanese submarines. It was just too dangerous for her to remain in the area. She steamed to Australia where she safely arrived in Fremantle, Australia on 04 Mar 1942.
PhM3 Fast was listed as missing in action on 01 Mar 1942. His remains were unrecoverable. He was presumed dead on 15 Dec 1945.
According to BUPERS Information Bulletin (Currently called All Hands Magazine) #306 Sept 1942 (p.21), John Arthur Fast, Pharmacist's Mate 3d Class, U.S.N. was one of 28 men who received a letter of commendation from Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox for heroism and for outstanding performance of duty when the USS Pecos was sunk by the Japanese in waters south of Java. PhM3 Fast was commended for "coolly, calmly, and bravely performing all duties in an outstanding manner throughout the action."
Fast was also (posthumously) awarded the Purple Heart, American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Fleet Clasp (one bronze star in lieu of fleet clasp) and second bronze star, Philippine Defense Medal with Fleet Clasp, and the World War II Victory Medal. He may have been eligible for the Combat Action Ribbon.
------------------------
A commemoration in honor of PhM3 Fast's service from President Harry S. Truman reads:
In Grateful Memory of John Arthur Fast, Who Died In The Service Of His Country at Sea, Asiatic Area, attached U.S.S. Pecos, 15 December 1945 (presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives – in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.
Signed,
Harry Truman
President of the United States of America
--------------------------
Partial list of sources:
1)Messimer, Dwight R. Pawns of War: the Loss of the USS Langley and the USS Pecos. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. 1983.
2) Kehn, Donald M., Jr. A Blue Sea of Blood. Minneapolis: Zenith Press, 2008.
3) Kehn, Donald M., Jr. In the Highest Degree Tragic: The Sacrifice of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in the East Indies during World War II. Potomac Books, University of Nebraska Press. 2017.
4) Various Navy Muster and Change reports, Ancestry.com and Fold3.com
5) Various newspaper articles
6) USS Pecos and USS Whipple Wiki pages on-line.
------------------------
[Bio ##339 composed by Gerry Lawton (GML470/G47)]
Military Hall of Honor ID#135920
~
Entered the service from Kansas.
~
NARA War Department records list his Next of Kin's Home of Record as Father: Mr. Edmond O. Fast, 331 Ellis Avenue; Wichita, Kansas...Perished when the USS PECOS (AO-6) was sunk by Japanese planes on March 1st, 1942...Declared dead on December 15, 1945.
Edmond began his working life as a farm laborer earning enough money to buy his own small farm by 1910. By Sep 1918, Edmond had left the farm and moved to Topeka, KS for employment as a conductor on the Topeka Railway. By 1920, Edmond went into the broom manufacturing business. By 1925, the family had moved to Wichita, KS where Edmond continued in the broom manufacture business. Sometime after 1925, he gave up the broom business and bought another farm in Kiowa County, KS. Prior to 1930, his wife, Lavenia, suffered from mental health issues and was committed to a Kansas State Asylum at Osawatomie, KS where she was enumerated in the 1930 and 1940 US census. Her committal left Edmond alone to raise their large family by himself.
Timing may not have been good as the 1920s closed out with the beginning of the Great Depression and very difficult economic times, especially for farmers. In 1936, the Fast family left the farm and moved to Wichita, KS where Edmond was employed as a salesman for the E.S. Cowie Electric Co. By 1940, he worked as a night watchman.
According to a newspaper article, John Arthur graduated from Haviland, KS high school abt 1937. He was a newspaper carrier for the Wichita Eagle for a time in 1939.
With the US economy mired in the depths of the Great Depression, John had few job opportunities with which to learn life-long skills and to help his father pay the bills. For example, John worked only 16 hours in 1939. So, as many young men of that generation did, they looked toward the US Military for those opportunities as well as a chance for some adventure.
John submitted an application for enlistment into the US Navy about late December 1939 at the Naval Recruiting Station (NRS) in Wichita, KS. Over the next weeks, John completed preliminary examinations; submitted personal references, completed administrative paperwork and passed background checks. He also had to obtain his father's permission for him to enlist because he wasn't 21 years of age yet. His final requirement before enlistment was to pass physical and dental examinations that were administered in the district recruiting station in Kansas City, Jackson, MO. John, along with seven other navy recruits from the Wichita area (Alva L. Elliott, Clyde M. Williams, Harry A Callahan, Henry R. Smith, Delbert L Galey, Billie Drake and Joe A Worrell) departed Wichita on Monday evening, 12 Feb for Kansas City, MO. The next morning John and his fellow recruits passed their physical and dental examinations at the NRS in Kansas City, MO and were sworn in to the US Navy (NSN: 342-19-23) as Apprentice Seamen (AS) for four years of service on 13 Feb 1940. Later that day, the group departed by train to the Naval Training Station (NTS), Great Lakes, IL to begin 8 weeks of recruit training.
During his basic training John sat for an aptitude test that indicated he would do well in the medical field. While in recruit training, John was double counted in the 01 Apr 1940 US Census. Once at the Naval Training Station, Great Lakes, and once at the Training Station Hospital. The census report for the Naval Training Station Hospital states he was "In Training." Both sheets state that he only completed the 11th grade in HS. After he completed recruit training, John was granted a short leave to return home for a visit. After his leave period, John returned to NTS Great Lakes where he received orders to report to the US Naval Hospital Corps service Class "A" school in San Diego, CA. During "A" school, AS Fast advanced in rate to Seaman Second Class (S2c).
Upon completion of Hospital Corps school, Fast's rate changed to Hospital Apprentice Second Class (HA2c). HA2 Fast detached from "A" school in late August 1940 with orders to report for duty to the Naval Hospital, Puget Sound Navy Yard (USNH, PSNY) in Bremerton, WA. Fast transferred to the Receiving Ship (R/S), San Diego on 30 Aug 1940 to await his ride to Bremerton. On 10 Sep 1940, HA2c Fast reported on board the battleship, USS Pennsylvania (BB-38), as a passenger. Six days later, 16 Sep, HA2c Fast disembarked from Pennsylvania and reported to USNH, PSNY for duty.
During the next six months, HA2 Fast advanced to Hospital Apprentice First Class (HA1c). In March, 1941, FA1c Fast received orders to report to Commander In Chief, Asiatic Fleet (CINCAF) in Manila, Philippines for duty. He detached from USNH, PSNY on 17 Mar 1941 and embarked as a passenger on the ammunition ship, USS Pyro (AE-1) in Bremerton for further transfer (FFT) to CINCAF. Pyro steamed out of Bremerton on 18 Mar bound for Mare Island, CA where she arrived on 24 Mar. Later that day, HA1c Fast reported to the Receiving Ship, San Francisco (R/S, SF) to await his next ride to Manila, Philippines. On 09 Apr, Fast detached from R/S, SF and continued his transit to CINCAF via the transport ship, USS Henderson (AP-1) reporting as a passenger later that day.
Henderson got underway on 10 Apr from San Francisco and steamed to Manila via a stop in San Pedro, CA. She arrived in Manila on 15 May 1941 where Fast disembarked and report to Commander, Sixteenth Naval District (COMSIXTEEN) for assignment. He was temporarily assigned to the US Naval Hospital (USNH) Canacao, Philippines. He detached from that hospital on 26 May and reported for duty to the fleet oiler, USS Pecos (AO-6) later that day. Several months later on 08 Aug 1941, HA1c Fast advanced in rate to Pharmacist's Mate Third Class (PhM3).
Prelude to WAR!
During 1941, ships of the Asiatic Fleet operated mainly in the Philippine operating area as international tensions between the Japanese and the United States inexorably moved toward open conflict. Admiral Hart determined then it was time to send all of the families of his sailors home. There was push-back from the resentful spouses who initially declined to leave their husbands. It was only a threat to indefinitely restrict their spouses to their ships without leave that finally convinced the families; it was time to comply with orders and return to the continental United States (CONUS). Admiral Hart's directive probably saved many family members from internment by the Japanese or worse. For many of the married sailors, it was the last time they would ever see their families.
Then, in July 1941, as Japanese aggression intensified with their move south into lower Indo-China, Admiral Hart warned his officers that he had no doubt that war would come although he didn't know how or when it would start. Hart trained his destroyer/cruiser crews hard keeping them on a war-footing for extended periods and away from Cavite naval base as much as possible exercising his "defensive deployment."
War Begins.
In late Nov 1941, Adm Hart dispersed his forces as a precaution given the imminence of war. In the predawn hours of 8 Dec 1941 (7 Dec east of the International Date Line) word was received that Japan had launched simultaneous attacks against Pearl Harbor, Philippines and Malaya and that hostilities against Japan had commenced. Later that day, Japanese attack aircraft struck the US Army Air Field at Clark Field, Philippines.
However, much of Admiral Hart's naval force had left and were at sea enroute to Surabaya, Java. Only US Army Air Forces under the command of General Douglas MacArthur were caught completely by surprise and were destroyed on the ground. The USS Langley was anchored in Manila Bay, off Cavite, when Japanese bombers attacked Clark Field. That evening Langley led two tankers, USS Pecos (AO-6) and USS Trinity (AO-13) out of Manila Bay, past Corregidor, steaming south toward the Netherlands East Indies. During their voyage south, Langley tended PBYs of Patrol Wing Ten, and Pecos fueled ships of the withdrawing Asiatic fleet.
The heavy cruiser USS Houston (CA-30) got underway from her anchorage on 8 Dec to meet groups of auxiliary vessels that had been ordered south from Manila Bay soon after the outbreak of hostilities. On 10 Dec, Japanese bombers attack the naval base at Cavite. On 11 Dec, Houston sighted the first of two convoys she was to escort. The convoy ships had been dispatched from Manila soon after the war began. That group comprised the seaplane tender, Langley (AV-3), and the oilers Pecos (AO-6) and Trinity (AO-13) screened by the destroyers John D. Ford (DD-228) and Pope (DD-225). Late the next day (12 Dec), Houston sighted the second convoy, comprising submarine tenders Holland (AS-3) and Otus (AS-20) and Isabel (PY-10) escorted by the same two destroyers. The vital auxiliaries reached Balikpapan, Borneo, late on 14 December. Several days later, the auxiliaries steamed to Makassar, Celebes. On 21 Dec, Pecos, Otus, Trinity and later USS Gold Star (AG-12), steaming to Darwin, rendezvoused with their escorts led by Houston several days later. They arrived in Darwin on 28 Dec 1941.
During January 1942, Pecos steamed to various locations around the Java sea refueling Allied warships. Beginning on 6 Feb 42, she was moored in Tjilatjap receiving fuel oil and pumping it into Dutch, British and American warships. Her commanding officer, Cdr Abernethy had attempted on multiple occasions to gain permission to get underway and head for the open sea as enemy Japanese forces moved rapidly south. The situation for a safe escape for Pecos became more improbable as each day came and went. Cdr Abernethy knew his chances of escaping the Japanese carrier force prowling the Indian Ocean were slim. On 25 Feb, he refused to accept any wounded passengers who were not ambulatory and who could not take care of themselves.1 He also had the foresight to bring aboard large numbers of Bamboo poles then lash them to the upper decks for flotation for swimmers if the ship was sunk. Finally, on 27 Feb, Pecos received orders to leave port in the morning to make room for the USS Langley that was expected to dock later in the morning.
Three hours out of Tjilatjap, Pecos radiomen intercepted some of Langley's last radio transmission giving the tender's position and condition (she was under attack by enemy aircraft). Within half an hour Pecos received word that Langley's survivors were being picked up the destroyers, USS Edsall and USS Whipple. An hour later, Pecos received orders to proceed to Christmas Island, about 250 nm southwest of Tjilatjap to meet Edsall and Whipple to take on board survivors. Edsall rescued 177 survivors and Whipple rescued 308. Pecos was then to proceed to Exmouth Gulf off Australia's west coast. Pecos already had survivors on board from USS Houston, Stewart and Marblehead taken on board in Tjilatjap. The added number of survivors would bring her on board count to over 700 personnel when Pecos' normal complement was approximately 317 officers and enlisted crew.
On 28 February, the two destroyers rendezvoused with the Pecos off Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island. A sudden attack by land based Japanese bombers forced Pecos and the other ships to head for the open sea. They headed directly south into the Indian Ocean for the rest of 28 February in high winds and heavy seas. Early in the pre-dawn hours of 1 March, Whipple and Edsall transferred all the Langley survivors to Pecos. Whipple then set off for Cocos Islands as protection for the tanker Belita sent to meet her there. The Pecos, carrying a large number of survivors set course to Australia. On board were three doctors.
Edsall had retained 32 USAAF personnel from Langley needed to assemble and fly an additional 27 P-40E fighters shipped to Tjilatjap aboard the transport Sea Witch. Edsall was instructed to return these "fighter crews" to Tjilatjap. At 0830, she reversed course and headed back to the northeast for Java.
At noon that day, planes from Japanese aircraft carrier Soryu attacked Pecos and struck again an hour later. Finally, in mid-afternoon, third and fourth strikes from aircraft carriers Hiryu and Akagi fatally wounded the Pecos. She did not go down without a fight, however. While under attack, Pecos radioed for help. After Pecos sank, Whipple returned to the scene intentionally arriving after dark. She eventually rescued 233 survivors. Many other survivors, although visible to crewmembers on board Whipple, had to be abandoned at sea because Whipple made sonar contact with what was believed to be several Japanese submarines. It was just too dangerous for her to remain in the area. She steamed to Australia where she safely arrived in Fremantle, Australia on 04 Mar 1942.
PhM3 Fast was listed as missing in action on 01 Mar 1942. His remains were unrecoverable. He was presumed dead on 15 Dec 1945.
According to BUPERS Information Bulletin (Currently called All Hands Magazine) #306 Sept 1942 (p.21), John Arthur Fast, Pharmacist's Mate 3d Class, U.S.N. was one of 28 men who received a letter of commendation from Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox for heroism and for outstanding performance of duty when the USS Pecos was sunk by the Japanese in waters south of Java. PhM3 Fast was commended for "coolly, calmly, and bravely performing all duties in an outstanding manner throughout the action."
Fast was also (posthumously) awarded the Purple Heart, American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with Fleet Clasp (one bronze star in lieu of fleet clasp) and second bronze star, Philippine Defense Medal with Fleet Clasp, and the World War II Victory Medal. He may have been eligible for the Combat Action Ribbon.
------------------------
A commemoration in honor of PhM3 Fast's service from President Harry S. Truman reads:
In Grateful Memory of John Arthur Fast, Who Died In The Service Of His Country at Sea, Asiatic Area, attached U.S.S. Pecos, 15 December 1945 (presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives – in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.
Signed,
Harry Truman
President of the United States of America
--------------------------
Partial list of sources:
1)Messimer, Dwight R. Pawns of War: the Loss of the USS Langley and the USS Pecos. Annapolis, Maryland: Naval Institute Press. 1983.
2) Kehn, Donald M., Jr. A Blue Sea of Blood. Minneapolis: Zenith Press, 2008.
3) Kehn, Donald M., Jr. In the Highest Degree Tragic: The Sacrifice of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in the East Indies during World War II. Potomac Books, University of Nebraska Press. 2017.
4) Various Navy Muster and Change reports, Ancestry.com and Fold3.com
5) Various newspaper articles
6) USS Pecos and USS Whipple Wiki pages on-line.
------------------------
[Bio ##339 composed by Gerry Lawton (GML470/G47)]
Military Hall of Honor ID#135920
~
Entered the service from Kansas.
~
NARA War Department records list his Next of Kin's Home of Record as Father: Mr. Edmond O. Fast, 331 Ellis Avenue; Wichita, Kansas...Perished when the USS PECOS (AO-6) was sunk by Japanese planes on March 1st, 1942...Declared dead on December 15, 1945.
