World War II Database

Amagiri, a 1750-ton Fubuki-class destroyer, is probably best remembered as the Japanese vessel that rammed John F. Kennedy's PT-109 the night of 2 August 1943, splitting the wooden PT boat in two.

Amagiri ("Heavenly Mist") was the fifteenth of twenty-four Fubuki-class destroyers and was the fifth in an improved series with modified turrets that could elevate her main battery 25-35 degrees higher than earlier guns, thus creating a dual-use battery that could also be used against aircraft. She was built at Ishikawajima Shipyards in Tokyo, Japan, completed November 1930, and spent the next decade taking part in combat exercises. During the later 1930s, Amagiri participated in operations connected with the Sino-Japanese War. When the Pacific War began on 8 December 1941, Amagiri covered landings on the coast of Thailand. Later involved with the campaign to conquer Malaya and Singapore, she engaged two British destroyers off the Malay coast on the night of 27 January 1942. She also supported the invasion of western Java in February and served with Admiral Yamamoto's force in the Battle of Midway.

In Fall 1942, Amagiri participated in the 14-15 October and 14 November bombardment missions during the Guadalcanal Campaign. She helped escort the last major Japanese convoy to that island on 15 November. Employed as a high-speed transport during the Central Solomons Campaign, she participated in the Battle of Kula Gulf on the night of 5-6 July 1943. While on another reinforcement run to Vila on 2 August, Amagiri engaged other PT boats in Blackett Strait, south of Kolombangara. That night she rammed and sank the U.S. motor torpedo boat PT-109. Lt. Cmdr. Kohei Hanami, who commanded Amagiri at that time, attended President Kennedy's inauguration in 1961.

Later in 1943, Amagiri was at Rabaul during the U.S. carrier air raids on 5 & 8 November and carried troops to Bougainville on 6-7 November. Another reinforcement mission to Bougainville, on 24-25 November 1943 resulted in the Battle of Cape Saint George, in which Amagiri escaped pursuing U.S. destroyers led by Captain Arleigh Burke.

On 23 April, after departing Singapore with Aoba and Oi bound for Davao, Amagiri struck a naval mine in Makassar Strait 55 nautical miles (102 km) south of Balikpapan. As she took over two hours to sink, there were few casualties.

Amagiri was struck from the navy list on June 10, 1944.

Amagiri Operational Timeline

Photographs

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