Machinist's Mate Arthur Lynn RUSH of Mount Ayr, Iowa, served during World War II with the U.S. Navy. Machinist's Mate RUSH was K.I.A. during the Battle of Tassafaronga, Guadalcanal, November 30, 1942. The ship "USS Pensacola" (CA-24) was torpedoed by the Japanese destroyer "Oyashio" on November 30, 1942, the explosion spread flaming oil throughout the interior and across the main deck of the ship, killing 125 of the ship's crew. Machinist's Mate RUSH was survived by his wife, Mrs. Vivian Viola RUSH of Springfield, Missouri.

"USS PENSACOLA"
Lead ship of the Pensacola class heavy cruisers

The Battle of Tassafaronga began 40 minutes before midnight on November 30, 1942, when three American destroyers made a surprise torpedo attack on the Japanese. All American ships then opened fire, which the startled enemy did not return for 7 minutes. Two of the American cruisers took torpedo hits within the space of a minute, and 10 minutes later, another was hit, all being forced to retire from the action. "USS Northampton" and "USS Honolulu", "USS Pensacola" with 6 destroyers, continued the fierce action.

At 23:39, Pensacola took a torpedo, fired from Oyashio, abreast the mainmast. The explosion spread flaming oil throughout the interior and across the main deck of the ship, killing 125 of the ship's crew. The hit ripped away the port outer driveshaft, and the ship took a 13-degree list and lost power, communications, and steering. The oil-fed flames engulfed Pensacola's main deck aft where ammunition exploded. Only supreme effort and skillful damage control by her men saved the ship.

SOURCES:
https://navylog.navymemorial.org/rush-arthur-0
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Pensacola_(CA-24)

Complilation by Sharon R. Becker, April 2013
Corrected by Tony Mercer December 2024