Ponape Island Surrender

[USS Missouri ] [Mille Atoll Surrender] [Jaluit Atoll Surrender] [Wake Island Surrender]
[Kusaie Island Surrender] [Northern Palau Islands Surrender] [Ponape Island Surrender]
[Woleai Atoll Surrender]

Destroyer Escort Sailors Association - DESA

Ponape Island is located in the East Caroline Islands. It is 337 nautical miles southwest of Eniwetok Atoll and is roughly 12 miles by 14 miles in size. Ponape is surrounded by a coral barrier reef that contains 25 inlets and serves to protect the island, allowing for mangrove swamps on the shore line.

During WWII, occupied and fortified by the Japanese with numerous coastal defense and anti-aircraft weapons of all types, its defenses proved to be a formidable challenge to attacking forces. Also located on the island were Japanese airstrips at Nan Pohn Mal and Palikir and a seaplane base at one of the barrier islands with a ramp facing the calm water side of the reef. It remained occupied by the Japanese until it was surrendered on September 11, 1945. ⁽¹⁾

After receiving the Japanese surrender on Kusaie Island on 8 September, USS HYMAN DD 732 set course for Ponape in the company of USS FARQUHAR DE 139.

Aboard HYMAN, Lt. General Masao Watanabe surrendered control of Ponape and Captain Momm, division commander on HYMAN, assumed duties as military governor of Ponape the next day.

USS FARQUHAR remained at Ponape as station ship, assisting in the occupation and repatriation until late December.

DESA member and USS FARQUHAR DE 139 Plankowner Jim Klepper preserved photos from this historic event and they are presented here. His photos preserve an important part of history for you will find only a rare mention of this event written in the history books.

Additional photos were taken by a U.S. Marine Corps photographer and are posted here, as well as special photos from the 50th anniversary celebration ceremony on Ponape.

View The Photo Gallery

Notice: Please read

Date: Monday August 13, 2007

Dear Sir,

My name is Takuya Nagaoka, PhD Candidate at Department of Anthropology, Unviersity of Auckland, New Zealand. Recently, I conducted an archaeological survey on Lenger (Langar) Island, a small offshore island of Ponape, which was fortified by Japanese Navy (e.g., seaplane base), in collaboration with the Pohnpei State Historic Preservation, Federated States of Micronesia.

I have been looking for old photos of Ponape and wonder if crews of USS HYMAN DD 732 and USS FARQUHAR, which visited Ponape during Japanese surrender in 1945, might have photos of Ponape, especially Lenger. Any assistance is greatly appreciated.

Sincerely,
Takuya Nagaoka
PhD Candidate
Department of Anthropology
University of Auckland
New Zealand

Please contact the webmaster if you can offer assistance

⁽¹⁾Information courtesy of http://www.vmb-613.com/maps/ponape_map.html