Name: Arthur Riles HUNTER Jr.
Rank / Rating: QM1-Quartermaster First Class
Service #: 268 55 90
DOB: 1923
From: Oviedo, FL
Parents: Arthur Riles, Sr and Gwen Ellna Hunter
Went Aboard: Dec 06, 1944
Age When Ship Went Down: 22
Spouse:
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Patricia Stephens (Admin)
Date Posted:

The 1940 US census notes Arthur Riles Hunter, Jr., 17 years old, living in the home of his parents, Arthur R. Hunter, Sr., and Gwen Ellna Hunter, in Oviedo, Seminole Co., FL., in the Oak Ridge community. He had finished 3 years of high school, so was likely a senior in 1940. He was not employed. His siblings were one brother, William A. and sisters Minnie L., Martha A., and Elizabeth M. Hunter. Arthur, Jr. was the youngest. They were all born in Georgia. Arthur's year of birth is estimated from the census data.

Arthur enlisted in the USN on Oct 19, 1940 at Macon, GA. He was received on Oct 22, 1940, for basic training at Naval Training Station, NOB, Norfolk, VA as a AS (Apprentice Seaman), USN. He transferred from Norfolk on Dec 19, 1940 to USS Tuscaloosa CA-37, a New Orleans-class heavy cruiser. He was received aboard Dec 21, 1940 at Norfolk, VA, the day before she departed for Portugal in the European war zone to deliver Admiral William D. Leahy, the newly designated Ambassador to Vichy France, to Lisbon. She returned to Norfolk on Jan 11, 1941 and departed for her new base at Bermuda where she patrolled the shipping lanes in the North Atlantic. During this time, on Feb 19, 1941, Arthur was advanced to S2c (Seaman 2nd class). Tuscaloosa departed Bermuda for Argentia, Newfoundland in Aug, 1941. Arthur remained on board and on Sept 1, 1941 he advanced in rate to S1c (Seaman 1st class). Six months later, on Feb 1, 1942, he advanced to QM3c shortly before his ship returned to Boston navy yard for overhaul. Tuscaloosa was serving off Scapa Flow in the Orkney Islands and her service included escorting convoys to North Russia. It was during this time, on Nov 1, 1942, that Arthur was advanced to QM2c (Quartermaster 2nd class). He transferred off USS Tuscaloosa on Nov 26, 1942, to the receiving station at Boston, MA for duty on board USS Converse DD-509. It is unknown where Tuscaloosa was located when he was transferred. Arthur was received aboard Converse on Nov 27, 1942, one week after her commissioning, while the ship was at the Boston Navy Yard, Charlestown, MA. Newly commissioned ships needed experienced crewmembers like Arthur to train and work with the crewmembers straight from bootcamp. Arthur was on board Conversefor training at Guantanamo Bay and Pearl Harbor before departing for Noumea, New Caledonia, Southwest Pacific theatre. From May 17, 1943 through the summer she covered convoys carrying men and supplies to New Georgia, then escorted ships moving between Espiritu Santo and Guadalcanal. Arriving at Port Purvis Sept 16, 1943, she joined Destroyer Squadron 23, with whom she won a Presidential Unit Citation for operations in the northern Solomons between 31 Oct 1943 and 4 Feb 1944.[DANFS] In Feb, Arthur was ordered back to the US. He departed Noumea and arrived at the USNTC, San Diego, CA on Feb 19, 1944. On Feb 26, 1944, he transferred to the USN V-12 officer training program at Millsaps College in Jackson, MS, where he began his training on Mar 1, 1944. At admission, Arthur was noted as a QM1c. However, on Mar 2, 1944 his rate was changed "From QM1c, USN, to AS, USN." Everyone who enrolled in the V-12 program was considered a new enlistment in the USN and their rate reverted to AS (Apprentice Seaman). After eight months, Arthur graduated on Nov 6, 1944 and his rate was advanced to QM1c, USN. The same day, he was transferred from Millsaps to the Personnel Training Command, Naval Repair Base, New Orleans, LA., "for general assignment." Normally, graduates of the V-12 college program would attend additional training for up to four months. Arthur went straight from Millsaps to his next duty station. It is likely the Navy determined he did not need additional training based upon his prior service. However, this is speculation. As a Quartermaster 1c, Arthur had expertise in ship navigation and his skills were considered essential to the navigation team. He would be present with the Navigator to assist when the ship entered and left port. He would be responsible for the steering and ensuring precise navigation by plotting courses, developing and maintaining charts. He would enter daily navigational positions into the ship's log. Much of his time would be spent standing watch on the bridge with the Office of the Deck, assisting as needed with ship control and taking the ship's bearings to assure she remained on course. On Nov 22, 1944, he transferred from New Orleans to the receiving barracks, Shoemaker, CA, where he was received on Nov 26, 1944. He had a little time to catch his breath before, what would become, his final assignment. Arthur walked the gangway and was granted permission to come aboard USS Indianapolis CA-35 on Dec 6, 1944. He was right at home on a heavy cruiser and he would welcome the change from service on a destroyer which about half the size of Indianapolis. After two days in port, Indy entered dry-dock for 12 hours, then departed for San Francisco and anchored for two days while she calibrated her radio direction finder. She departed San Francisco for San Diego on Dec 13th. En route, gunnery practice with the 40 and 20MM guns was conducted using the ship's plane towing a sleeve. Indy arrived at San Diego Harbor on the 15th and reported to Task Group 14.1, San Diego Shakedown Group. Dec 16th was filled with drills and training exercises that included additional gunnery practice. During this time Indy developed a "serious defect in the control mechanism to the nozzle valves on all main engine high pressure turbines" which left the Captain, Charles B. McVay, with no choice but to return to port in San Diego for repair. She was finally back underway in the afternoon of Dec 19th for her assigned operating area. Drills and more drills and training exercises were conducted, including night surface target practice, until Christmas eve when she returned to San Diego Bay. Arthur would spend a quiet Christmas day in port. The next day the training resumed and included seven phases of shore bombardment exercises. Most every drill and exercise needed in combat was covered up until New Year's Eve. Indy returned to San Diego and, hopefully, Arthur was allowed time ashore. Having completed post-shakedown repairs and loading ammunition, Indy departed San Diego on Jan 3, 1945 steaming for Pearl Harbor. Drills and exercises continued daily. At about 7 p.m. on Jan 9th she moored in her berth and remained for two days. Adm. Raymond Spruance, Commander Fifth Fleet, came on board on Jan 13th and the next morning Indy steamed for Saipan Island. However, ten days later, Jan 23rd, Indy and her Task Group were ordered by Adm. Spruance to change course to Ulithi. The ship log records that the "visits" to Saipan and Guam had been canceled, but no reason was given. Indy was at anchorage in Ulithi Lagoon on Jan 25th. Feb 5, 1945, was a historic day for Arthur in more than one way. Adm. Chester Nimitz, Commander-in-Chief, US Pacific Fleet, came aboard and broke his flag. This was the first five-star flag ever flown in the ship. The following day about forty flag officers came aboard for a conference with Adm. Nimitz. He hauled down his flag and departed Indy the next day. Arthur likely had a birds-eye view from the bridge of Nimitz arriving and leaving the ship. It was a time he would never forget. Arthur would also never forget Feb 5th because it was the day his summary court-martial punishment was decided. Only two months after boarding, possibly from butting heads with another crew member, Arthur faced a summary court-martial. The offense is not shown in the available ship record, but these proceedings were for minor offenses or improper conduct of enlisted personnel. The offense may have involved fellow crew member Edward Austin Kane, S1c, who received a summary court-martial punishment on the same day. A single commissioned officer presided over the court and imposed the punishment. Arthur received a "reduction to the next inferior rating, but execution of sentence held in abeyance [suspension] upon successful completion of a probationary period of 6 mo., otherwise to be reduced in accordance with Section 476 NC&B's." (Naval Courts & Boards). Kane's punishment was a stent in "solitary confinement on bread and water for 20 days, with full ration every 3rd day & to lose $20 per mo. for 6 mo., TLP Amtg to $120.00." On Feb 8th, Indy was underway for Saipan. She anchored in the harbor on the evening of the 10th joining ships of Task Force 51. Rehearsal of the upcoming operations would be held Feb 11th-13th. On Feb 12th, Indy joined up with Task Force 58 - Vice Admiral M. A. Mitscher's fast carrier task force. The battle action for Arthur was about to begin and would continue for almost two months. Arthur saw action in the Iwo Jima Operation from Feb 15 to Mar 1, 1945. On Mar 17, 1945, Indy took part in the Okinawa Gunto Operation which ended Mar 25, 1945. He was present for the Assault and occupation of Okinawa Gunto from Mar 26 to Apr 5, 1945. During this engagement, a kamikaze plane damaged Indy killing nine crew members and injuring 20 others. Arthur escaped injury. Arthur was awarded two bronze stars devices attached to the Asiatic-Pacific ribbon representing the two battle stars Indy was awarded for these two engagements. As shown, Arthur was a combat veteran of the USN when he came aboard Indianapolis. He had served on board a heavy cruiser and a Presidential Unit Citation awarded destroyer. He was accepted to and graduated from the eight month V-12 college program that prepared officers for the USN. He had served his country for over 4 years when he was welcomed aboard Indianapolis. He served only eight months on board Indy when he gave all on July 30, 1945. Two torpedoes from Japanese submarine I-58 sent the ship to the bottom in less than 12 minutes. He was lost at sea. Well Done, faithful sailor. You are not forgotten. His name is inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Taguig, Philippines. He was awarded the Purple Heart, posthumously.