Servicemen were loading depth charges when the USS Serpens
exploded. The 250 men who died included 193 U.S. Coast Guard
sailors, 56 U.S. Army soldiers, and Dr. Harry M. Levin, a U.S.
Public Health Service surgeon. Of the 193 Coast Guardsmen, 17
were regular Coast Guard and 176 were reservists.
There were ten survivors. Lieutenant Commander Perry L. Stinson,
commanding officer of the USS Serpens, another officer
and six crewmen were ashore on administrative business. Two
crewmen who were onboard survived the explosion: SN 1st Class
Kelsie K. Kemp of Barron Springs, Virginia, and SN 1st Class
George S. Kennedy of San Marcos, Texas. Seaman Kemp and Seaman
Kennedy were awarded the Purple Heart by Rear Admiral L.T. Chalker,
the Assistant Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard.
In July 1947, the Coast Guard still thought an enemy attack
had caused the blast. However, by June 10, 1949, it was determined
not to have been the result of enemy action.
The 250 remains were originally buried at the Army, Navy and
Marine Cemetery in Guadalcanal with full military honors and
religious services. The remains were repatriated under the program
for the return of World War II dead in 1949.
The mass recommittal of the 250 unidentified dead took place
in section 34 at MacArthur Circle. The remains were placed in
52 caskets and buried in 28 graves near the intersection of
Jesup and Grant Drives. Two gravesites were reserved for the
memorial inscribed with their names.
About 1,500 people attended the reinterment service on Wednesday,
June 15, 1949 at 1:00 PM. Catholic, Jewish and Protestant chaplains
officiated. The U.S. Marine Corps Band played Pasternak's arrangement
of Taps. A bugler echoed Taps in the distance. The U.S. Navy
also participated. To conclude the service, a Gold Star Mother
escorted by an American Legionnaire placed a white carnation
on each casket.
A witness described it as "one of the most elaborate military
services accorded our fallen heroes... Words would have been
inadequate to express the deep gratitude and admiration...in
the hearts of [all] who witnessed the service."
The USS Serpens Monument was dedicated on Thursday,
November 16, 1950 at 2:00 PM. The octagonal monument occupies
two grave spaces in section 34. About 100 relatives and 200
others attended the dedication. Participating units included
a color guard from the U.S. Coast Guard Cutter DUANE, a color
guard from The Old Guard at Fort Myer, Catholic, Jewish and
Protestant chaplains, and The United States Army Band (Pershing's
Own). Vice Admiral Merlin O'Neill, Commandant, U.S. Coast Guard
gave a brief address. "We cannot undo the past,... but
we can insure... that these men shall be respected and honored
forever."