PT One Hundred Five

Dick Keresey's "PT 105" offers a firsthand account of naval combat in the Pacific Theater during World War II, drawn from the author's own experiences commanding a PT boat in the Solomon Islands campaign. As one of the relatively few memoirs written by PT boat commanders who served alongside John F. Kennedy in the South Pacific, this book provides valuable insight into a lesser-known aspect of the naval war against Japan.

The narrative centers on Keresey's service as commander of PT 105, operating in the dangerous waters around Guadalcanal and the New Georgia Sound, an area that became known as "The Slot" due to its strategic importance as a Japanese supply route. The book chronicles the challenging conditions faced by PT boat crews during 1943, when these small, fast vessels were tasked with intercepting Japanese naval forces attempting to reinforce and resupply their island garrisons under cover of darkness.

Keresey's writing style is straightforward and unpretentious, reflecting his background as a naval officer rather than a professional author. The account benefits from this direct approach, as it allows the extraordinary nature of the events to speak for themselves without unnecessary embellishment. The author describes the technical aspects of PT boat operations with clarity, helping readers understand both the capabilities and limitations of these plywood vessels armed with torpedoes and machine guns.

One of the book's strengths lies in its detailed portrayal of the camaraderie and coordination among PT boat squadrons operating in the Solomon Islands. Keresey served in the same motor torpedo boat squadron as the future President Kennedy, and the book includes references to the famous PT 109 incident, though these are presented matter-of-factly rather than sensationalized. The author's perspective as a fellow squadron member during that period adds authenticity to his observations about the challenges all PT boat crews faced in that theater of operations.

The combat sequences are rendered with attention to the confusion and uncertainty inherent in night naval engagements. Keresey describes the difficulty of identifying targets in darkness, the challenges of coordinating attacks among multiple boats, and the ever-present danger from Japanese destroyers and aircraft. These accounts convey the tension of operating small wooden boats against much larger warships, where speed and maneuverability were the primary defensive assets.

Beyond combat operations, the book also addresses the daily realities of life on a forward naval base in the South Pacific. Keresey discusses the improvised nature of PT boat maintenance, the impact of tropical diseases on crew effectiveness, and the psychological toll of sustained combat operations. These elements provide a more complete picture of the PT boat war than accounts that focus solely on dramatic engagements.

The narrative also touches on the evolution of PT boat tactics as the war progressed. Early in the campaign, doctrine and equipment were still being refined through hard experience, and Keresey documents how crews learned to adapt their methods based on operational results. This aspect of the book offers historical value for those interested in the development of small boat tactics during World War II.

The author's treatment of controversial aspects of PT boat operations, including debates about their effectiveness against larger warships, is notably balanced. Keresey acknowledges both successes and failures, providing a more nuanced picture than purely celebratory accounts. This honesty strengthens the book's credibility and historical value.

For readers seeking detailed technical specifications or comprehensive strategic analysis, this memoir may not fully satisfy those needs. The focus remains primarily on the operational level, describing what one PT boat commander experienced and observed during his time in the Solomon Islands. However, this personal perspective is precisely what gives the book its distinctive voice and historical significance.

"PT 105" serves as an important primary source for understanding the PT boat campaign in the South Pacific. Keresey's account complements official histories and other memoirs by providing ground-level details about the realities of this type of naval warfare. The book will appeal to readers interested in World War II naval history, personal military memoirs, and the Pacific Theater campaign. While the prose may lack literary flourish, the authenticity of the author's experiences and his straightforward presentation make this a valuable addition to the literature on PT boat operations during World War II.