Sunken WWII destroyer USS Edsall discovered 82 years after Japanese battle

"Captain Joshua Nix and his crew fought valiantly, evading 1,400 shells from Japanese battleships and cruisers before being attacked by 26 carrier dive bombers, taking one fatal hit. There were no survivors," U.S. Ambassador to Australia Caroline Kennedy said in a statement Monday as she commemorated the servicemen.

Nix's evasive actions to try to save the ship also were commended by the Japanese who said the Edsall performed like a "Japanese dancing mouse," an animal known for its erratic movements.

The Edsall, which was commissioned in 1919, was traveling alone south of Java in 1942, when it encountered the Japanese battleships. The Edsall had been escorting convoys between Australia and Indonesia.

While most of the ship's crew were lost in the sinking, it was revealed during war crimes trials that several survivors were picked up by the Japanese fleet and later executed.

"On behalf of the U.S. Navy, I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the Royal Australian Navy for locating the final resting place of the destroyer USS Edsall, lost in a valiant battle against the Imperial Japanese Navy in the early days of World War II," Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti wrote in a statement.

"The commanding officer of Edsall lived up to the U.S. Navy tenet, 'Don't give up the ship,' even when faced with overwhelming odds," Franchetti added.

"The wreck of this ship is a hallowed site, serving as a marker for the 185 U.S. Navy personnel and 31 U.S. Army Air Force pilots aboard at the time, almost all of whom were lost when Edsall succumbed to her battle damage."

While the Australian Navy discovered the wreckage in 2023, there had been no confirmation that it was the USS Edsall. Its staff used "advanced robotic and autonomous systems normally used for hydrographic survey capabilities to locate the USS Edsall on the seabed," according to Chief of Navy, Vice Adm. Mark Hammond.

"This Remembrance Day I am honored to acknowledge the role of the Royal Australian Navy in the discovery of the wreck of USS Edsall, a warship that holds a special place in our naval history," Hammond said.

"As we reflect on the legacy of the USS Edsall, we honor the sailors who faced tremendous challenges with bravery and determination. Their stories are an integral part of our shared maritime history and commitment to service," Hammond added.

"We honor their families and hope this discovery will be a reminder of the enduring respect and appreciation we have for their loved ones."