History Unplugged Podcast

How a Mess Cook Saved Dozens of Sailors from Shark Infested Waters Off the Coast of Guadalcanal


Listen Later

On the night of September 5, 1942, the USS Gregory (APD-3), a converted destroyer turned high-speed transport, was caught in a deadly ambush near Guadalcanal. The ship had been supporting U.S. Marine forces, ferrying troops and supplies, when it was mistaken for a larger threat by a group of Japanese destroyers. Outgunned and unable to escape, Gregory was hammered by shellfire, set ablaze, and ultimately sank in Ironbottom Sound.

Lieutenant Commander Harry F. Bauer, refusing to abandon his men, fought to the end and was posthumously awarded the Navy Cross. As the surviving crew struggled in the water, Mess Attendant Charles J. French emerged as an unlikely hero, tying a rope around his waist and towing wounded shipmates for hours through shark-infested waters to safety. Against overwhelming odds, he kept them together until they were finally rescued. Join us as we uncover this harrowing tale of sacrifice, heroism, and the unbreakable spirit of the USS Gregory’s crew.

To discuss this story is today’s guest Carole Avriett, author of “Midnight in Ironbottom Sound: The Harrowing WWII Story of Heroism in the Shark-Infested Waters of Guadalcanal.”

See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

...more
View all episodesView all episodes
Download on the App Store

History Unplugged PodcastBy History Unplugged

  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2
  • 4.2

4.2

3,717 ratings


More shows like History Unplugged Podcast

View all
The History of WWII Podcast by Ray Harris Jr

The History of WWII Podcast

3,960 Listeners

Ben Franklin's World by Liz Covart

Ben Franklin's World

1,548 Listeners

1001 Heroes, Legends, Histories & Mysteries Podcast by Jon Hagadorn  Podcast Host

1001 Heroes, Legends, Histories & Mysteries Podcast

1,666 Listeners

Dan Snow's History Hit by History Hit

Dan Snow's History Hit

4,588 Listeners

This American President by This American President

This American President

728 Listeners

Tides of History by Wondery /  Patrick Wyman

Tides of History

6,270 Listeners

History That Doesn't Suck by Prof. Greg Jackson

History That Doesn't Suck

5,589 Listeners

American History Tellers by Wondery

American History Tellers

18,981 Listeners

Presidential Fight Club by Presidential Fight Club

Presidential Fight Club

76 Listeners

American Revolution Podcast by Michael Troy

American Revolution Podcast

947 Listeners

Key Battles of the Civil War by Key Battles of the Civil War

Key Battles of the Civil War

687 Listeners

Last Night on the Titanic by Last Night on the Titanic

Last Night on the Titanic

132 Listeners

Ottoman Lives by Ottoman Lives

Ottoman Lives

89 Listeners

HISTORY This Week by The HISTORY® Channel | Back Pocket Studios

HISTORY This Week

4,095 Listeners

Key Battles of the Revolutionary War by Key Battles of the Revolutionary War

Key Battles of the Revolutionary War

339 Listeners

The Ancients by History Hit

The Ancients

2,856 Listeners

Key Battles of World War One by Key Battles of World War One

Key Battles of World War One

256 Listeners

Key Battles of American History by Key Battles of American History

Key Battles of American History

892 Listeners

Gone Medieval by History Hit

Gone Medieval

1,685 Listeners

History Daily by Airship | Noiser | Wondery

History Daily

1,988 Listeners

Eyewitness History by Eyewitness History

Eyewitness History

61 Listeners

American History Hit by History Hit

American History Hit

1,345 Listeners

Historical Jesus by Historical Jesus

Historical Jesus

51 Listeners