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SEAMAN SECOND CLASS ANDREW
BLAIR JAKWAY, JR. was born November 15, 1924 in New Jersey to Andrew B.
and Elizabeth Jakway. His father was a bread salesman. Known to his friends as
Blair, he grew up at 416 Stratford Avenue in Westmont NJ, attending schools there and was a
student at Collingswood (NJ) High School through the middle of his
junior year. The family moved to
1125 Collings Road, Camden NJ in late 1941 or early 1942, and Blair
Jakway transferred to Camden High School. In February of 1942, he
dropped out of high school, and enlisted in the Navy on February 22,
1942. On August 23, 1942 just before dawn in New York, destroyers USS Barton, USS Meade, and USS Nicholas hove to nearby the battleship USS Washington. The big ship lit off all its boilers at 4 a.m., called away sea and anchor details, and shifted colors at 6:15. The battleship set course 179T at 20 knots, headed for the Panama Canal...and the Pacific Ocean. When the Barton reached the Pacific, she became part of DESTROYER SQUADRON 12. Seaman Second Class Andrew Blair Jakway Jr. was killed in action on November 13, 1942 during the night naval battle for Guadalcanal, when the USS Barton (DD-599); Lt. Commander Douglas H. Fox, CO; took 2 torpedoes admidship, broke in two and sank immediately, losing 90 percent of her officers and crew. He was survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Blair Jakway, Sr. of 1125 Collings Road, Camden NJ, and a sister, Florence, the wife of Lieutenant George Warren USN. She had worked as the borough clerk for Haddon Township NJ prior to the war. His death was reported in the February 3, 1943 edition of the Camden Courier-Post. |
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Photo #: NH 97868 |
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Photo #: NH 97869 |
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USS Barton DD599
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The first Barton (DD-599) was launched 31 January 1942 by Bethlehem Steel Co., Quincy, Mass.; sponsored by Miss Barbara Dean Barton, granddaughter of Admiral Barton; and commissioned 29 May 1942, Lieutenant Commander D. H. Fox in command. Barton departed the east coast 23 August 1942 and steamed to the Pacific, arriving at Tongatabu, Tonga Islands, 14 September 1942. During October she participated in the Buin-Faisi-Tonolai raid (5 October) and the Battle of Santa Cruz (26 October). On 29 October she successfully rescued 17 survivors of two downed air transports near Fabre Island. Against great odds on 13 November Barton, in company with Rear Admiral D. J. Callaghan's landing sup port group, took part in the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal. Barton commenced firing on the Japanese ships at approximately 0148. After launching four torpedoes she had to come to an emergency stop to avoid a collision. While she was practically dead in the water, two enemy torpedoes found their mark. The first torpedo struck her forward fireroom and, a few seconds later, a second torpedo struck her forward engine-room. Within seconds, Barton broke in two and sank, carrying with her an estimated 80 percent of her valiant crew. Forty-two survivors were rescued by Portland (CA-33) and Higgins boats from Guadalcanal. Barton received four battle stars for her service during October and November 1942. |
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