Commanding Officer – Lt. Harry L. Curtis
Left Port Hueneme – 16 September 1943
Locations: Port Hueneme, CA – Noumea, New Caledonia – Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands – Ameliorate, Falalop Island, Ulithi Atoll
Campaigns: Operation Stalemate II
Known Officers:
Curtis, Harry L. Lt (detached as CO 18 December 1944)
Sitterley, Eugene F. Lt
Cole, A.J. Lt (Acting CO 18 December 1944 until detached 18 April 1945)
Long, J..J. Lt
Kregelius, G.P. Lt
Robertson, T.M. Lt (Officer-In-Charge 18 April 1945 to decommissioning 19 June 1945)
Zulak, Ralph R. Lt
Known Enlisted: Upon Commissioning
Ahillen, Gerard W S2c – Anderson, Theodore S2c – Beasley, Hobart E S2c – Bennett, William A CPhM(AA) – Billings, Richard L S2c – Bolland, Gordon L S2c – Boraz, Martin L S2c – Bower, Kenneth E S2c – Bowman, Kent C RM3c – Brady, John S II S1c – Bryant, Doris N S2c – Campana, Joseph S2c – Caprioli, Frank GM3c – Carlson, August T Jr S2c – Carter, Wilburn R S2c – Casey, Charles R Jr S2c – Cassidy, Francis R ART2c – Chancellor, Delbert C S2c – Chipman, Carl L S2c – Clark, Edwin C S2c – Clark, James L S2c – Click, Robert E S2c – Coleman, Legrand Ck3c – Conley, Claud W S2c – Coventon, Raymond E S1c – Cox, Jack S S2c – Cronin, Joseph M S2c – Crossen, Kenneth L S1c – Cummings, Robert W S2c – Curry, Alfred D S2c – Davio, Louis M S2c – Dodge, Jack C RM3c – Dors, Philip T S2c Dozier, Charles R S2c – Durfee, Everett W EM1c – Edwards, Donald R S2c – Eliseian, Alexander D S2c – Eskildsen, Raymond N S2c – Fessler, Joseph M S2c – Fleming, Joseph H S2c – Frank, John S2c – Gannon, John H SC3c – Garrett, Albert L S2c – Gaston, Stanley L RT2c – George, John Z F1c – George, Zigmond ART2c – Grayson, Alton W S2c – Greathouse, Harry B ARM3c – Guimont, Richard E S2c Harsh, Robert D S2c – Hahn, Francis P S2c – Hayes, Lawrence T CRM(PA) – Hendricks, Robert B S2c – Hennum, Robert L S2c – Henoch, Dean U S2c – Herman, Robert J S2c – Hickenbottom, Robert B S2c – Holden, Alva G S2c – Hussey, Walter C S2c – Ingram, Edwin E F1c – Inman, Harold F Cox – Iverson, Arthur E S2c – Jones, Austin M ART2c – Jones, Clarence C S2c – Keller, Upton E S2c – Killigrew, William J PhM1c – Koller, Frank R RM3c – Kotrba, Joseph V S2c – Lathrop, Paul D S2c – Lee, Albert G S2c – Lee, John G S2c – Lovell, William W S2c – Lucas, Hascall H S2c – McCann, Frank F ART2c – McConner, Edward R S1c – McEuwee, Oren L S2c – Mahder, Thomas H F1c – Mart, Denzel W S2c – Martin, Robert C Y3c – Mazotti, Arnold F S2c – Morrow, George D Jr RT2c – Mead, Harold L S2c – Mueller, Richard J S2c – Murto, Wesley V S2c – Nelson, Carl C Bkr3c – Niles, Lloyd R S2c – Ogden, Thomas L S2c – Olson, Arnold R S2c – Palughi, John F Jr RT2c – Parker, Tom E F1c – Paul, George W PhM2c – Pettis, Jesse J StM2c – Rea, Max A S2c- Redden, Carl R S2c – Reed, Richard H RM3c – Richmond, Howard D S2c – Robinson, Charles W StM2c – Schlecht, Frederick J ARM3c – Schmidt Donald J S2c – Shaw, John L StM2c – Taylor, Phineas A S2c – Thomas, William R S2c – Thompson, Richard A S2c – Tinson, Henry StM2c – Toft, William L Jr Y3c – Welch, Norman F PhM2c – Wieland, Robert M S2c – Williamson, Thomas J F1c – Wynn, Hardy O StM2c – Young, Dallis J S2c – Thompson, William SK3c
The following men were transferred from Argus Unit #5 to Argus Unit #14 on 24 February 1944:
Profitt, F.H. S2c – Ramirez, R. DeLat S2c – Ramsted, C.O. S2c – Cash, H.R. RT1c – Coforth, T.M. RT1c – Martell, A.N. RM2c – Kelsey, O.E. RM3c – Russell, W. S1c – Abernathy, G.R. MoMM2c – Carkhuff, T.G. MoMM2c – Winkler, R.E. MoMM2c – Mullins, E.H. SK3c – Reiker, P.J. RdM3c – Velasquez, R.C. RdM3c – Wilcox, D.W. RdM3c – Baker, J.W. RdM3c – Aplin, G.H. RdM3c – Carter, D.D. RdM2c – Caudle, W.R. RdM3c – Cronin, J.E. RdM2c – Erickson, R.h. RdM3c – Gollaher, M.G. RdM2c – Kelter, J.H. RdM2c – Kuehline, W.H. RdM3c – Patterson, L.F. RdM3c – Pidd, J.K. RdM3c
Additional Enlisted Personnel Date Assigned to Unit 14
Rating/Rank as of date assigned
Bruns, Frederick J S2c 13 Dec 43
Cartwright, Charles E RT2c 16 Dec 43
Daniels, Gordon A S2c 13 Dec 43
Daniels, Victor J S2c 13 Dec 43
Drexler, Merle L S2c 13 Dec 43
DuPran, Jack F S2c 13 Dec 43
Hammes, Herbert N S2c 13 Dec 43
Hutchcroft, Robert L S2c 13 Dec 43
Kauzlarich, Walter S2c 13 Dec 43
McBride, France MoMM2c 13 Dec 43
Merchant, Pearl J StM2c 12 Dec 43
Pilaszewski, John S S2c 13 Dec 43
Rohn, Fred C S2c 13 Dec 43
Sabers, Edwin A S2c 13 Dec 43
Wisniewski, Irwin C S2c 13 Dec 43
Browning, Richard R S2c 6 Jan 44
Burford, George D S2c 6 Jan 44
Hayden, Francis L S2c 6 Jan 44
Abernathy, Gilbert R Jr MoMM2c 24 Feb 44
Aalpin, Gerald H RdM3c 24 Feb 44
Baker, John W RdM3c 24 Feb 44
Boon, Clarence A RdM2c 25 Feb 44
Brigs, Henry M SC2c 25 Feb 44
Carkhuff, Thomas G MoMM2c 24 Feb 44
Carter, David D RdM2c 24 Feb 44
Cash, Harry R RT1c 24 Feb 44
Caudle, William R RdM3c 24 Feb 44
Coyle, Edwin B S2c 25 Feb 44
Cronin, John E RdM2c 24 Feb 44
Erickson, Ralph H RdM3c 24 Feb 44
Goforth, Thomas M RT1c 24 Feb 44
Gollaher, Max G RdM2c 24 Feb 44
Hartman, Gilbert M F2c 25 Feb 44
Huddleston, Robert H.L. RM2c 25 Feb 44
Kalpakoff, John W S2c 25 Feb 44
Kelsky, Orville E RM3c 24 Feb44
Kelter, John H RdM2c 24 Feb 44
Kuehling, William H RdM3c 24 Feb 44
Lewis, William T S1c 25 Feb 44
Martell, Alfred M RM2c 24 Feb 44
Mullins, Ernest H SK3c 24 Feb 44
Patterson, Loren F RdM3c 24 Feb 44
Patterson, William G RdM2c 25 Feb 44
Pennock, Thomas K Jr RdM2c 25 Feb 44
Pidd, Joseph K RdM3c 24 Feb 44
Platt, William H RM2c 25 Feb 44
Profitt, Frank H S2c 24 Feb 44
Pugh, Donald R RdM3c 27 Feb 44
Ramirez, Ramiro de la Torre S2c 24 Feb 44
Reiker, Paul J RdM3c 24 Feb 44
Russell, Wade CM3c 24 Feb 44
Shea, Francis E RdM2c 25 Feb 44
Velasquez, Raymond C RdM3c 24 Feb 44
Webster, William L MoMM3c 25 Feb 44
Wilcox, Donald W RdM3c 24 Feb 44
Wimpee, Mark S F2c 25 Feb 44
Winkler, Ralph E MoMM2c 24 Feb 44
Wood, Vance W S1c 25 Feb 44
Perszyk, Valentine R Jr S2c 17 Mar 44
Salberg, Emmett D S2c 17 Mar 44
Schneider, Thomas G S2c 17 Mar 44
Chipman, Carl L S2c 2 Apr 44
Hatden, Francis L S2c 2 Apr 44
Platt, William E. B. RM2c 2 Apr 44
Ashton, Grover N PhM2c 5 May 44
Barber, Ernest L S2c 27 May 44
Benge, Curtis D S2c 27 May 44
Brenner, Jacob J S2c 27 May 44
Calhan, Edward W RT2c 27 May 44
Doran, John P S2c 27 May 44
Fein, Henry S1c 27 May 44
Gensburg, Otto S2c 27 May 44
Gillaspie, George H Jr S1c 27 May 44
Hernandez, Manual L S1c 27 May 44
Huber, Leonard W S2c 27 May 44
James, Harry F S1c 27 May 44
Koher, Howard C S1c 27 May 44
Linn, Ernest C S1c 27 May 44
Przanowski, Stanley W S1c 27 May 44
Radoza, John E S2c 27 May 44
Seboldt, Carl F RT2c 27 May 44
Smith, Billy M S2c 27 May 44
Thrasher, Clarence W S1c 27 May 44
White, Kenneth E MoMM1c 27 May 44
Woolard, Rudolph G S2c 27 May 44
Flack, Foy W S1c 24 Jun 44
Mullen, Robert A PhM2c 4 Jun 44
Peel, Doyle J S2c 24 Jun 44
Thompson, William SK2c 20 Jun 44
Wynn, Hardy O St3c 1 Jun 44
Gbur, Michael F1c 5 Jul 44
Savoie, Hector F F2c 5 Jul 44
Shapiro, Richard K S1c 7 Jul 44
Adams, Arthur E ARM2c 2 Aug 44
Augustyn, Stanley D ARM2c 2 Aug 44
Bolland, Gordon L RdM3c 29 Aug 44
Buckley, Dennis MoMM1c 22 Aug 44
Burnett, Robert E RdM2c 22 Aug 44
Duncan, Hugh K S1c 2 Aug 44
Early, Hugh Jr S1c 2 Aug 44
Granger, George W RdM2c 22 Aug 44
Griffith, Wilbur L PhM2c 5 Aug 44
Hamlin, Joseph G S1c 2 Aug 44
Handley, William C S1c 2 Aug 44
Harlow, Elmer L S1c 2 Aug 44
Harpster, Melvin L S1c 2 Aug 44
Harwood, Eddie L S1c 2 Aug 44
Hastings, George W S1c 2 Aug 44
Hearn, Ralph E S1c 2 Aug 44
Heath, Wilmot C S1c 2 Aug 44
Heaton, Samuel R S1c 2 Aug 44
Ingram, Charles G MoMM2c 22 Aug 44
Inman, Harold F BM2c 5 Aug 44
Kamisar, Leo RdM2c 22 Aug 44
Karbowski,Benjamin A ARM2c 2 Aug 44
Kauzlarich, Walter RdM3c 24 Aug 44
Langlie, Joseph T ARM3c 2 Aug 44
Martin, W C SC3c 22 Aug 44
Miller Allen E ARM2c 2 Aug 44
Moldovan, Ramus J RdM3c 22 Aug 44
Murto, Wesley V RdM3c 6 Aug 44
Summers, Floyd W S1c 2 Aug 44
White, Kennetth E MoMM1c 16 Aug 44
Lee, John G O RdM3c 17 Nov 44
Carter, Wilbur R Bkr3c 27 Dec 44
Gannon, John H SC1c 27 Dec 44
Thompson, Richard A EM2c 27 Dec 44
Tinson, Henry Ck3c 27 Dec 44
Narrative:
Argus Unit 14 was commissioned 10 September 1943
Argus Unit 14 was decommissioned 19 June 1945
Unit Muster Rolls dated 31 May 1945 show all enlisted personnel transferred to other locations for duty as of 16 May 1945.
Unit Chronology:
- Unit Commissioned 10 September 1943
- Departed for Overseas Duty 2 October 1943
- Arrived New Caledonia 20 October 1943
- Ordered to Guadalcanal 5 March 1944
- Embarked for Ulithi 26 September 1944
- Relieved from Duty 15 May 1945
- Decommissioned 19 June 1945
Photos and Documents:
Aerial photo of Falalop Island – November 1944
ARGUS 14 Area indicated by red pointer
Photos courtesy of Susan Durfee Andrews
No one identified – note 527 antenna in right background
Left to right – William A. Bennett, Everett W. Durfee, ? Steele, ? Bartlett, Charles E. Cartwright
Photos and documents courtesy of Emmett Salberg Jr.
Emmett D. Salberg
SCR-270 Installation
Unit 14 was located on Guadalcanal from 5 Mar 1944 to 26 Sep 1944 – personnel not identified
Location unknown – Left to Right 1st Row Kelter, John – Goforth, Thomas – Mc Bride, France – Cash, Harry – Inman, Harold – George, ? – Seabolt, Carl – Gollaher, Max – Cronin, ? 2nd Row Erickson, Ralph – Salberg, Emmett – Hendricks, Robert – Hickenbottom, Robert – Williamson, ? – Schneider, Thomas – Perzsyk, Valentine – Patterson, ? – Abernathy, Gilbert 3rd Row Derman, Robert – Peel, Doyle – Campana, Joseph – Thomas, William – Taylor, Phineas – Daniels, ? – Pidd, Joseph – Wilcox, Donald – Kuehling, William – Reiker, Paul 4th Row Woolard,Rudolph – Harpster, Melvin – Hussey, Walter – ?unanaug, ???? – Kotrba, Joseph
Paul J. Reiker
TBF Avenger – Tail markings (horseshoe) indicate the aircraft from VT-7, Torpedo Squadron 7, from the USS Hancock
Training Sketch
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- Argus Unit 14 – Photo Courtesy of Nan Avants
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- Argus Unit 14 – Photo Courtesy of Nan Avants
Joint Communications Center – Ulithi
Under construction and completed by SeaBees (Construction Battalion) – date unknown
photos courtesy of John Ratomski
United States Navy Argus Unit Historical Group 
I have my father’s personnel records for his service in the Navy. Has anyone else ever tried to reconstruct a timeline on their father to see just where he may have been? I am trying to find out what battles my father may have been in – more specifically the location. He was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific campaign medal along with 2 others. When I look up the Asiatic-Pacific campaign medal, I get several different battles. Though I have his records, there has to be more papers. Perhaps they were “secret” years ago, but are the papers still today? I sent his records to a gentlemen that served in the Argus Units like my father and it was he who pointed out that my father was eventually part of the ComAirPac. Interesting as my father had always told me that he had flown during the war – which never made sense to me as I thought he was aboard ship – and didn’t care to fly again after the war. Any ideas would be appreciated.
Nan,
If you have your Father’s records you have everything you need to establish the where and when of his service. Take a look at the Argus 22 page for an example of the records for Charles P. Church. Are your documents similar to these? If so, one of the last pages is a “Summary Of Service” which shows the vessel or station the person was assigned to , the dates, and rate for each assignment. The record will also have pages for awards authorized such as the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign ribbon and notations for star attachments authorized for “battles”.
ComAirPac was short for Commander Air Forces Pacific which was a larger command overseeing many subordinate units. Not all were on flight status.
Your Father’s rate in May 1945 was Radarman – 3rd Class. He may have operated radar systems onboard aircraft after his Argus 14 assignment. The records will clarify his assignments.
If you can scan the records, please send a copy directly to my e-mail address and I will be glad to assist in your research.
Larry
Nan,
Since I haven’t heard from you, here is information regarding your Father’s service found in other sources.
Service Number 890 25 25
Enlisted 10 May 1943 at Seattle, WA
No information found on where he attended Recruit Training
Assigned to Argus Unit 14 from Receiving Barracks, USNABD Port Hueneme, CA 10 Sep 1943 – Rate Seaman 2nd Class
Promoted from Seaman 2nd Class to Seaman 1st Class 1 Jan 1944
Promoted from Seaman 1st Class to Radarman 3rd Class 16 May 1944
Promoted from Radarman 3rd Class to Radarman 2nd Class 16 Apr 1945
Transferred from Argus Unit 14 to ComAirPacific for further assignment 23 Apr 1945
Shown as a passenger onboard the USS Henrico (APA-45) 24 April 1945 and transferred to ComAirPacific for further assignment as of 4 May 1945 – note: rate shown on these entries as Radarman 3rd Class
Source documents – USN Muster Rolls
Argus Unit 14 went from Port Hueneme 16 Sep 1943 to Noumea, New Caledonia for additional training
Unit 14 was ordered from New Caledonia to Koli Point, Guadalcanal as soon as possible after 15 Feb 1944
Unit 14 and Unit 20 were scheduled to participate in Operation Stalemate (Palau Island Operations ) as of 3 Jul 1944
Unit 14 was reassigned by orders dated 12 Jul 1944 to Ulithi Island, Caroline Islands operations, specifically Falalop Island, Ulithi Atoll, Yap Islands
Source documents – operational documents Argus Unit 14
Argus 14 would have been credited with combat operations (battles) associated with Operation Stalemate involving Ulithi
No other information was found regarding his assignments after 4 May 1945. His records will show those activities.
Larry
Did I ever thank you for this? If not, thank you! I do believe that the small island that my father talked to his kid sister about is Falalop Island that is listed above. His group photos that are posted on this site certainly looks like the same scenery. I have been in contact with George many times and he continues to help me look for more Argus 14 members or family.
Nan
I am checking into my dad’s actions in WWII. He was born in 1922. I don’t know his enlistment date. I also don’t know what he did. I remember him saying he was in the South Pacific. How much time would have spent on ship. I so have a photo of him, dressed very casually; i.e. shorts and white t-shirt, on a island, but other than that I am looking for any information I find out about his military service. Thank you, Sandy Harrison
Sandy,
Thank you for your contact. I will contact you shortly via e-mail with some additional information about your father’s service in World War 2. The Historical Group has been fortunate in that our research has help build a good set of references for people who were once in Argus units.
Larry
I have been chatting with George from one of the other Argus units. We were talking about why there have not been many children of Argus Unit members found. As I pointed out to him, they may not know that their father was in an Argus Unit. I would have never known had it not been for the group photo that I found in my father’s belongings when he passed away. If the group had not had a sign identifying themselves as an Argus unit, I would have never known. Like many of his generation, my father never talked much about his time in the Navy.
Hello – I believe my father, John (Jack) Daniell Maurice, was assigned to Argus 14 for a period of time during WW11. He was from Charleston, West Virginia, at the time of his enlistment. He was a newspaperman having graduated from Marshall University in Huntington, WV. All I really have is that info, but know he was a Lieutenant in the USN. I think I recognize his face among the officers in the two photos on the Argus 14 page. Anyone with any ideas on who, what, where, why & when I could get any information on his service? And, thanks in advance if you can help! Sincerely, Eve Maurice Young – daughter
Ms. Young,
Thank you for your contact. I have checked my references for your father’s name and did not find him mentioned. Unfortunately, my resources for officers are not as complete as for enlisted personnel.
You can get a copy of your father’s service record from the National Archives. It will contain detailed information about his time in the Navy. Here is a link for requesting those records –
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/
Service and response times will vary depending on several factors including the affects of ‘sequestration’.
If you find your father was assigned to any Argus unit, please let me know and I will add his name to that unit page.
Best of luck with your research.
Larry
Larry,
Not sure if you knew, but a contact that I made through this site and the veteran’s site, passed away last year. George Costanich, who served in a different Argus Unit than my father, became a good friend. I even made the trip over to Auburn, CA to visit with him (I took a photo with him) and chat with him. He proudly showed me his photos from his time in the Navy. We had many phone conversations over the year or so that I knew him. What a great guy he was. My father has been gone for years, so it was a bit like having a Dad again. He wanted to reconnect with other Argus Unit men or even their family, but I was never able to do that for him. I came close though. I had put flyers up at the veterans home in Yountville, CA – which is not too far from me – and did get a response from a prior Argus Unit member. George made contact with him, but unfortunately Alzheimers was quickly taking the memories of this previous soldier. George tried several times, but each time, the gentleman was unable to recall his long ago memories.
Anyway, my quest to find out more about my own father’s movements in the Navy continues.
Hope all is well with you.
Nan
Nan,
Thank you for sharing this information with me. I am saddened to hear of George’s death. Unfortunately, the number of remaining World War 2 veterans decreases daily.
I am sure George enjoyed your visits and was thrilled to find someone interested in his service. Thank you for being a friend to George and helping try to put him in contact with other Argus vets.
My quest for Argus Unit information continues. Should I find anything new related to Unit 14 or your father’s service, you will get copies ASAP.
Again, thanks for your commitment to George and the ARGUS story.
Larry
What a great surprise to log into this site after some time to find some new photos! The group photo with the antenna in the background is great. The man on the back left, 4th in could be my father Walter Hussey. I can’t be 100% sure, but the features do look like him.
I was wondering if anymore secret documents have been released regarding unit 14? If so, I’d love to see them.
Thanks again,
Nan
Nan,
Welcome again. There have been a few additions thanks to ARGUS unit family members.
I have not found any additional documentation on Unit 14’s activities. Should anything show up, I’ll send you copies.
Larry
Greetings to anyone who served with Argus 14, and a thanks for whoever put this site together and is maintaining it.
I am a retired Naval officer (1979-2003) whose wife’s uncle, Kenneth Crossen served with Argus 14. He passed away at age 81 in 2009. He never spoke about his service but my father in law always believed that it might have been some challenging duty.
On behalf of my wife’s family, any information regarding this unit or any information about Ken would be greatly appreciated.
All the best;
Kevin
Kevin,
Thank you for your comments. I will be contacting you via e-mail with additional information related to your request.
Larry
My father, Walter Hussey SR, also served with Argus Unit 14. I’m so happy to see a post from another family member regarding unit 14. Like your relative, my father also never spoke about his time in the Argus Units. As his kid sister told me, their work was secretive, so they probably kept that vow to secrecy and never talked of it. My aunt told me that my father was a changed man when he returned from the war. I would surmise that they had seen horrible things. I had contact with an elderly man, whom I met through a veteran’s site, who was a member of another Argus unit. He passed a few years ago, but I was able to meet him in person and had many phone conversations with him. He told me that the Argus Units stormed the beaches with the Marines and saw some fierce bloody battles. I have found an old edition of Popular Mechanics that has an article on the Argus Units. It is dated March 1946. I found my copy on Ebay. If you have any photos from your relatives service time, it would be great to share them on this site. I have posted the 2 photos that I have of my father’s. I found the pictures after he passed.
Looking forward to hearing from you.
Nan
Thank you Emmett Salberg Jr for the group photo of Argus 14. My father Walter Hussey is in that picture!
Nan
My Father Ralph Zulak was in Argus 14. He was a LT , USNR. I recognized his picture in the group photo and have his discharge papers . Thanks for putting this site together, Barbara.
My father William T. Lewis was in Argus 14. He was a Bkr. 3rd class. How can I get more information on what Islands he was on. Larry
I will send you an e-mail shortly.
lm
I’d love to see any pictures you may have of Argus 14. The 2 that I have are posted on this site.