|
|
| RM3c Otis Dennis was
killed in action February 1, 1942 when the plane
he was serving in, S-11, piloted by LT(jg) Carleton "Misty" Fogg was shot down
during the Scouting Six strike from the USS
Enterprise on Kwajalein Atoll in the Marshall
Islands . |
| From the 1941 USS Enterprise schedules
for training and operations, it appears that
Otis Dennis made his first flight in a SBD
Dauntless dive bomber with LT(jg) Vose on 17
April 1941 to "see if he could withstand the
rigors of dive bomber operations". He apparently
could because on that same date he started
training in aerial gunnery and as radioman. On
21 April 1941 he made his first flight with ENS
Carleton Fogg. He was rotated with several
pilots after that and ended up eventually as
full time gunner for ENS Fogg. They died
together on 1 February 1942 in the first
retaliation raids after Pearl Harbor, against
Japanese fortifications in the Marshall Islands,
Kwajalein Atoll.
jvh (click here for
1 Feb 1942,
last battle for Otis Dennis and Carleton Fogg;
and the 2007 search for the plane)
|
Invitation to the
Christening
(click on thumbnails to enlarge)
JOHN LEVI AND MATTIE PEARL NEWMAN
DENNIS HAD FOUR
CHILDREN. LEO (DON'S FATHER), LORRAINE
(Mrs. C. J. Andrews),
OTIS & ELIZABETH (Mrs. Elmer Hancock).
Christening the ship is Mattie Dennis. The two
ladies with
her are her daughters, Lorraine and Elizabeth (white hat).
|
Jeff Von Holten,
jeffvh@aol.com
Columbus, Ohio
kindly offered from his archives the
following documents and located the information in the
next rows. His father served on the
USS Dennis. See his letter at the bottom of the
page. We thank him for his very generous
contributions to the story of the
USS Dennis. |
|
jvh |
 jvh |
|
Morning Search
12/7/41 morning search assignments
placing Fogg
and DENNIS in plane
6-S-11
|
Action Report
Report of ENS C.T. Fogg of Fogg/Dennis
action
during Pearl Harbor Attack.
|
Action on 07 Dec 1941
Scouting squadron 6 planes
were
ordered from EWA to Hickam field
(6-S-11 couldn't follow due to action damage)
|
Photo of Scouting Six
Otis
Dennis, 2nd from the
right in the middle row.
|
SBD Dauntless
dive bomber
piloted
by
LT(jg) Carleton Fogg, with
Otis Dennis
as Radioman/Gunner. |
Scouting Six Insignia
|
|
Otis Lee Dennis 1939
|
Otis and his sisters,
Lorraine and
Elizabeth. 1922
Otis Dennis as a child.
Brothers: Leo and Otis Dennis
|
|
|
OTIS LEE
DENNIS
March 25, 1913 - February 1, 1942
Air Medal |
 |
|
RECOMMENDED FOR: DISTINGUISHED
FLYING CROSS (POST)
by ComSco Dtd 9 Mar 1942AWARDED:
AIR MEDAL by Bd Review D&M Dtd 7 Nov 1946 App:
Adm. HORNE
"For gallantry in action. As
aircraft gunners of Scouting Squadron Six, these
men participated in the initial attack on
Kwajalein Atoll, which was effected in the face
of enemy fighter opposition and intense anti
aircraft fire. Although the planes, pilots
and gunners were lost it is felt that these men
contributed greatly to the success of the attack
when they gallantly gave up their lives in the
service of their country and in the execution of
their mission." |
From the Fowler Tribune (should read:
Scouting Squadron 6)
|
Otis Lee
Dennis, born 26 March 1913 in Scottsville, KY.,
enlisted in the Navy from his hometown, Fowler,
Colorado, 26 October 1940. Radioman
Third Class Dennis was cited posthumously for
his heroic conduct as an aerial gunner in the
initial attack on Kwajalein, in which he was
killed in action on 1 February 1942. He
was survived by his ex-wife Lily Dell, a daughter Delores Ann, and
parents John and Mattie Dennis, two
sisters Lorraine and Elizabeth, and a
brother, Leo. |
1955 - Delores Ann,
Otis' daughter |
Fowler Tribune |
To
read: Capt. N. J. "Dusty" Kleiss, Ret., the last living
survivor to see Fogg and Dennis shot down, has
generously shared his story in a series of
letters to the Dennis family.
|
The SBD Gunners sat facing backwards in the open (left).
The pilot is to the right.
|
USS DENNIS
|
| Laid down: |
1943 |
| Launched: |
4 December
1943 |
| Commissioned: |
20 March
1944 |
| Decommissioned: |
31 May
1946 |
| Fate: |
Scrapped |
| Displacement: |
l,350 tons |
| Length: |
306 ft ( m) |
| Beam: |
36 ft 8 in (11 m) |
| Draft: |
9 ft 5 in (3 m) |
| Speed: |
24 knots (44 km/h) |
| Armament: |
2 x 5 in/38 (2x1)
4 x 40mm (2x2)
10 x 20mm (10x1)
3 x 21 in (533mm)
torpedo tubes (1x3)
8 x
depth charge projectors
1 x depth charge projector
(hedgehog)
2 x depth charge tracks |
USS Dennis (DE-405)
USS Dennis
(DD-405) was a
World War II
John C. Butler-class
destroyer escort in the service of the
United States Navy, named after Radioman
Third Class
Otis Lee Dennis.
The USS
Dennis
was launched on
4 December
1943 by
Brown Shipbuilding Company, in
Houston, Texas; sponsored by Mrs. J. L.
Dennis, mother of the late Radioman Third
Class Dennis; and commissioned on
20 March
1944, with
Lieutenant Commander S. Hansen,
USNR, in command.
The USS Dennis
arrived at
Pearl Harbor on
19 June
1944 to escort a
convoy to
Eniwetok and
Kwajalein. She returned to Eniwetok on
29 July screening
Belleau Wood (CVL-24). Joining
the
5th Fleet, she escorted
Carrier Division 22 to
Manus for exercises, then sortied with
Task Force 77 on
10 September to supply air support for
the landings on Morotai Island
15 through
27 September.
From
12 October the USS Dennis screened the
escort carriers supplying the air cover
for the invasion of
Leyte. On
25 October she joined her carriers in
making history as they fought a gallant
action with the
Japanese counter-attacking force in the
Battle off Samar phase of the
Battle of Leyte Gulf.
The USS Dennis
rescued 434 survivors from the bombed
St. Lo (CVE-63). For this action
she shared in the
Presidential Unit Citation awarded to TU
77.4.3, "Taffy 3". Arriving at
Kossol Roads,
Palaus, on
28 October, she sailed 3 days later for
the west coast, arriving at
San Francisco, California on
26 November for an overhaul.
Returning to the
forward area the USS Dennis departed
Guam on
16 February
1945 for the invasion of
Iwo Jima, patrolling off the island
until
8 March when she sailed to escort a
convoy to
Ulithi. On
21 March she proceeded to join a carrier
group launching air strikes in preparation
for the invasion of
Okinawa. She remained with the carriers
as they gave close support to the invasion
forces ashore. Again she performed rescue
services, on
4 May, saving 88 of the crew of
Sangamon (CVE-26), a
kamikaze victim. She served on
radar picket duty at Ulithi from
9 May to
3 June, then returned to Okinawa to join
the
Third Fleet for strikes against the
Japanese mainland until
26 June.
From
30 June 1945 until the end of the war, the
USS Dennis escorted convoys among Ulithi,
Okinawa, the Philippines, and
New Guinea. After the war she escorted
landing craft to Okinawa, then departed
Leyte Gulf on
14 October for the west coast, arriving
at
San Diego, California, on
6 November. She was placed out of
commission in reserve there
31 May
1946.
In addition to her
Presidential Unit Citation, the USS Dennis
received four
battle stars for World War II service.
USS Dennis (DE-405)
Class: John
C. Butler Type: WGT (geared-turbine drive, 5" guns)
Displacement: 1,350/1745 tons Dimensions: 306' (oa) x 36'
10" x 13'4" (max)
Armament: 2-5"/38, 4 (2x2) 40mmAA, 10-20mm AA, 3-21" TT, 1
Hedgehog, 8 DCT's, 2 DC tracks
Machinery: 2 boilers, 2 geared turbine engines, 12,000 shp,
2 screws
Speed: 24 knots Range: 6000 nm@12 knots Crew: 14 / 201
Operational and Building Data
Laid down by Brown Shipbuilding, Houston TX on 15 September
1943
Launched 4 December 1943, Commissioned 20 March 1944
Decommissioned 31 May 1946, Stricken 1 December 1972
Fate: sold for
scrapping 12 September 1973
|
|
The Tribune-Sun,
San Diego, CA
November 6, 1945
from Family Archives
Click to enlarge and read |
(Click to Enlarge)
|
Celebrating the victory of
the Battle off Samar, Battle of Leyte Gulf
One of the USS Dennis cooks, name
unknown, paints the bridge indicating ship
credit for sinking a Japanese cruiser.
Note the painting over his left shoulder
indicating credit for downing a Japanese
aircraft prior to the Battle of Leyte Gulf.
Photo submitted by Charlie W. Touzell, Mam
3/c, USNR.
40 mm Gun Crew
This is an excellent photo of the ship's
Quad 40mm gun. DE's of the John C.
Butler
class had several different armament
arrangements. DE 405 was one of a few
of this class to be equipped with a Quad
40mm.
Photo submitted by Charlie W. Touzell, Mam
3/c, USNR. |
|
The Five who gave their all, killed in
action at Leyte Gulf
from the USS Dennis DE 405
submitted by Charlie W. Touzell Mam 3/c USNR USS Dennis DE 405
|
Curtis |
William |
A. |
FC 3c |
USN |
|
Davis |
Charles |
B. |
F 1c |
USN |
|
Emery |
Maynard |
W. |
F 1c |
USN |
|
Grater |
George |
W. |
Sea 1c |
USN |
|
Sambo |
John |
A. |
F 1c |
USN |
From USS Dennis Deck Log, Thursday 26, October, 1944, "Colors at
half mast. Conducted burial at sea for (the above five men) of
this ship's company and Greaves, William B., from the USS St. Lo (CVE
63); Latitude 09 degrees, 30' N, Longitude 129 degrees, 20' E;
1040
completed burial ceremony."
|
As Charlie Touzell (USS Dennis) was driving to meet with
Percell Worley (USS Dennis) and Jeff Von Holten
(his father served on the USS Dennis), a piece of
debris hit his windshield, breaking it and
spraying him with glass. Thankfully, he is ok. He has generously
given us permission to publish his photos and
his story from the USS Dennis. Ann D
7-13-07
Ann: Thanks for your concern about the incident I had enroute to
Percell Worley's house. I am fine, just got
shook up a little. I am glad that Jeff Von
Holten is helping you with your researching the
USS Dennis DE 405. The Dennis DE 405 was a great
ship. You should be proud she bore your uncle's
name. She had a great crew who were dedicated to
making the Navy proud also. That sailor drawing
a Jap cruiser on the bridge was one of our
ship's cooks. I was one of the eight men who
came aboard as the nucleus crew after the ship
was launched, and have a part of the commission
flag. If I can be of any further help let
me know.
Shipmate: Charlie W. Touzell Mam 3/c USNR
USS Dennis DE 405 |
| June 02, 2007
Hi Ann and Don:
I spent some time today viewing your wonderful website, particularly
the USS Dennis section.
My father served on the USS Dennis and I believe he was present at
the christening ceremony on December 4, 1943. I have electronic
copies of three more documents I can share that you may wish to see and
maybe put on your website.
1st is a letter from and signed by Mrs. John L. Dennis, dated October
24, 1943, to Mr. Knox of the US Navy, accepting the designation of
sponsor for the USS Dennis.
2nd is a letter from Brown Shipbuilding to Naval Personnel, among
several things extending launching invitations to Mr. John Levy Dennis,
Mrs. C. J. Andrews of Pueblo, Colorado, and Mrs. Elmer C. Hancock Jr.
also of Pueblo, Colorado.
Another document I'll send you is the Presidential Unit Citation that
the USS Dennis earned as part of Taffy 3 in the Battle for Leyte Gulf.
My father is deceased (1975) however I honor him and his Dennis
community by having Ohio license plate DE 405 on my car.
When the Dennis shipmates had their 50th anniversary reunion for the
1944 Leyte Gulf Battle, in 1994 in Pensacola, Florida, I attended.
Again, thank you for sharing the tremendous website.
Jeff von Holten
Columbus, Ohio
ad: Thank you so very much for those precious
documents that we would never have known about otherwise. Jeff has, since
this letter, become a researcher for this site, and many of the archives
are credited to him (jvh). We are deeply in his debt for
sharing his expertise.
My Father Maynard Warren Emery fireman
first-class served and was killed on October 25, 1944 aboard the
Dennis. He was from Greenville Maine.
Charles Emery 3/25/09 |
|
| The Blackburn-Dennis Community Center in
Otis Dennis' hometown of Fowler, Colorado,
started out as the Blackburn American Legion
Club. After Otis Dennis was killed, his name
was added. In 2005 it became a Community
Center. Blackburn was the first Fowler
casualty in WWI and Dennis was the first Fowler
casualty in WWII.
Allan C. Blackburn served
during WWI at Camp Kearny in San Diego, in G
Company, on the Mexican Border. He was shipped
overseas in June 1918 and joined the 28th
Division fighting in France at the Vesle River
under Pershing. They fought for 26 days.
270,000 Americans were involved and there were
11,500 American casualties. The 28th Division
was one of 8 A.E.F. Divisions in this
battle. Allan C. Blackburn was killed in
early August 1918. |
|
Both from the Fowler Tribune |
see: Hullnumber
DE-405 |
|
