Witness to Neptune's Inferno: The Pacific War Diary of Lieutenant Commander Lloyd M. Mustin, USS Atlanta (Cl 51)

In 1942, the United States faced significant challenges in the Pacific following the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and setbacks in the Southwest Pacific. The light cruiser USS Atlanta, commissioned as the first ship after America's entry into World War II, played a crucial role in the Pacific fight, participating in the Battle of Midway and the Guadalcanal campaign. Lieutenant Commander Lloyd M. Mustin, an astute observer on board, faithfully recorded his thoughts on the conflict in a standard canvas-covered logbook, which is a rare day-to-day accounting of the Pacific from a mid-grade officer. The diary covers the ship's workups, deployment to the Pacific, engagements with enemy aircraft, and battles such as the Battle of Santa Cruz and the Battle of Guadalcanal. This valuable document provides a better understanding of the Pacific War during that critical year.

Format: Hardback
Length: 288 pages
Publication date: 15 January 2024
Publisher: Casemate Publishers

The year 1942 holds immense significance for the United States in the Pacific, particularly in the aftermath of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and a series of setbacks in the Southwest Pacific from late 1941 to early 1942. As the first ship commissioned following America's entry into World War II, the light cruiser USS Atlanta was thrust into the Pacific fight, joining the fleet in time for the pivotal battle of Midway and continuing on to the Guadalcanal campaign in the Southwest Pacific.

Embarked on this remarkable journey was an exceptionally astute observer, Lieutenant Commander Lloyd M. Mustin, who faithfully recorded his thoughts on the conflict in a standard canvas-covered logbook. Diaries were not supposed to be kept by those serving in the U.S. Navy during World War II, as they could potentially reveal that the Japanese code had been broken prior to the battle of Midway, which was a closely guarded secret. Thus, Mustin's diary stands as a rare and valuable day-to-day accounting of the Pacific from a mid-grade officer with a distinct perspective.

The narrative begins with the commissioning of the Atlanta at the Brooklyn Navy Yard on Christmas Eve 1941. Mustin meticulously covers the ship's workups and her deployment to the Pacific, ensuring that she was ready for the challenges that lay ahead. His account takes us through the Battle of Midway, where the Atlanta played a crucial role in the decisive victory against the Japanese fleet.

From there, the ship ventures into the Southwest Pacific, where it first engages enemy aircraft at the battle of the Eastern Solomons in late August 1942. Mustin's entries provide a vivid account of the intense aerial combat and the bravery of the sailors on board. His final entry covers the battle of Santa Cruz in late October 1942, which marked a significant turning point in the Pacific War.

The story is complemented by an account of the battle of Guadalcanal and beyond, drawing upon Mustin's oral history. This additional material provides a deeper understanding of the challenges and hardships faced by the sailors during this critical period of the war.

In conclusion, the year 1942 holds immense significance for the United States in the Pacific, and Mustin's diary provides a unique and valuable perspective on the events of that critical year. This fully interpreted document is a valuable resource for anyone seeking to better understand the Pacific War during that pivotal period.

Weight: 516g
Dimension: 160 x 235 x 29 (mm)
ISBN-13: 9781636244075