Elco Naval Division

Elco Naval Division. The Elco Naval Division was a specialized United States Navy unit formed to operate and maintain the fleet of PT boats manufactured by the Electric Boat Company (Elco) during World War II. It played a crucial role in the Pacific War, conducting daring torpedo attacks, barge hunts, and reconnaissance missions against Imperial Japanese Navy forces. The division's exploits, particularly in the Solomon Islands campaign, cemented the PT boat's legendary status in American naval lore.

History

The division was established in 1940 following the United States Navy's acquisition of the initial PT-20-class boats from Electric Boat Company. Its creation was a direct response to the success of similar fast attack craft, like the British Motor Torpedo Boat, observed in the early stages of World War II. Key early figures in its development included naval planners influenced by the Battle of the Atlantic and the need for coastal defense. The unit's first base of operations was at the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron Training Center in Melville, Rhode Island, under the command of the United States Atlantic Fleet.

Operations and vessels

The division's primary mission set included nocturnal torpedo attacks on enemy warships, interdiction of Tokyo Express supply convoys, and rescue operations for downed Allied airmen. Its core vessel was the iconic 80-foot Elco PT boat, such as those made famous by PT-109 commanded by future President John F. Kennedy. These wooden-hulled craft were armed with four Mark 8 torpedo tubes, 20 mm Oerlikon cannons, and .50 caliber M2 Browning machine guns. Operations were characterized by high-speed, close-range engagements in the confined waters of the South Pacific Ocean.

World War II service

The division saw its most intense combat during the Guadalcanal campaign and subsequent allied advances through the Solomon Islands. It engaged in numerous actions against Japanese destroyers and cruisers attempting to reinforce positions like Munda Point and Bougainville Island. A significant tactical evolution was the "barge busting" campaign, where PT boats relentlessly attacked Japanese troop-carrying barges during the New Guinea campaign. The division also participated in the Philippines campaign (1944–1945), supporting landings at Leyte and operating in the Surigao Strait.

Postwar activities and legacy

Following the surrender of Japan, the division was swiftly deactivated, and most of its remaining PT boats were scrapped or sold. The enduring legacy of its service was powerfully shaped by the dramatic story of PT-109 and the postwar political career of John F. Kennedy. This narrative was immortalized in films like PT 109 (film) and cemented the boat's place in popular culture. The division's veterans were instrumental in forming the PT Boaters, Inc. organization, which preserves the history of these craft at museums like the PT Boat Museum in Fall River, Massachusetts.

Technical specifications and innovations

The 80-foot Elco PT boat was a technological marvel of its time, constructed of double-planked mahogany over white oak frames. It was powered by three supercharged Packard V12 engines, enabling speeds over 40 knots. Key innovations included the development of effective radar and radio suites for night operations and the adaptation of weaponry, such as launching racks for Mark 13 torpedoes. Its design proved superior in seakeeping to competitors like the Higgins Industries PT boat, making it the most numerous and celebrated type in the United States Navy fleet.

Category:United States Navy in World War II Category:PT boat squadrons of the United States Navy Category:Military units and formations established in 1940