Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 1

Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 1 was the first motor torpedo boat squadron commissioned by the United States Navy during World War II. Activated in Newport, Rhode Island in 1940, the squadron played a pivotal early-war role in the Pacific War, most famously during the defense of the Philippines and the evacuation of General Douglas MacArthur. Composed initially of PT boats built by the Elco Naval Division, its daring operations against overwhelming Imperial Japanese Navy forces became legendary, setting the tactical precedent for subsequent PT boat squadrons throughout the conflict.

History

Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 1 was established on 12 December 1940 under the command of Lieutenant John D. Bulkeley at the Motor Torpedo Boat Squadrons Training Center in Newport, Rhode Island. The squadron's formation was part of the U.S. Navy's pre-war expansion and its first operational unit was deployed to the Philippines in September 1941, arriving at Manila Bay aboard the USS Henderson (AP-1). Following the attack on Pearl Harbor and the subsequent Japanese invasion of the Philippines, the squadron was immediately thrust into combat, operating from bases at Mariveles, Bataan and later Corregidor. After the fall of Bataan, the squadron's most famous mission was the perilous 560-mile evacuation of General Douglas MacArthur, his family, and key staff officers from Corregidor to Mindanao in March 1942, for which Bulkeley was awarded the Medal of Honor.

Operations

The squadron's operations were characterized by aggressive night-time attacks on Japanese naval forces and merchant shipping throughout the Philippines Campaign (1941–1942). Key engagements included attacks on Japanese landing craft during the invasion of Lingayen Gulf and repeated forays against enemy warships in Manila Bay. Following the evacuation of MacArthur, the remaining boats and personnel continued harassing operations until the final surrender of Corregidor in May 1942. Surviving personnel were captured or escaped, while the squadron was officially decommissioned, though its legacy led to the formation of new squadrons. Elements and veterans of the original unit later served in other theaters, including the Solomon Islands campaign, applying hard-won lessons in PT boat tactics.

Vessels

The squadron was initially equipped with PT boats of the PT-20 class, specifically PT-20 through PT-44, built by the Elco Naval Division. These 77-foot boats were powered by three Packard marine engines and armed with four torpedoes, depth charges, and machine guns. Individual boats gained fame, such as PT-41, which carried General MacArthur during his evacuation, and PT-34, the first U.S. PT boat to sink an enemy warship, destroying the Japanese auxiliary Kiji Maru in December 1941. Most of the squadron's original vessels were lost in action, scuttled to prevent capture, or destroyed by air attack during the defense of the Philippines.

Commanding officers

The squadron's founding and most celebrated commanding officer was Lieutenant (later Vice Admiral) John D. Bulkeley, who commanded from its inception through the climactic battles in the Philippines until April 1942. Following Bulkeley's departure after the MacArthur mission, command devolved to other officers during the final days on Corregidor, including Lieutenant Robert B. Kelly. Bulkeley's leadership and aggressive tactics became the model for subsequent PT boat commanders throughout the war, and he remained a central figure in the unit's history, later serving with distinction in the Normandy landings and the Korean War.

Legacy

Motor Torpedo Boat Squadron 1's legacy is profound, establishing the combat reputation of the U.S. PT boat service. Its early, desperate fights against long odds were widely publicized, providing a significant morale boost to the American public. The squadron's tactics and experiences directly informed the training and deployment of later squadrons, such as those that fought in the Solomon Islands under the command of figures like Lieutenant John F. Kennedy of PT-109. The unit's history is commemorated in numerous accounts, including Bulkeley's memoir and the 1945 film *They Were Expendable*, directed by John Ford and starring John Wayne and Robert Montgomery.

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