Southeast Pacific Area facts for kids

USS Trenton in the Gulf of Panama in May 1943.

The Southeast Pacific Area was a special command zone created during World War II in the Pacific Ocean. It was set up by the Combined Chiefs of Staff, a group of top military leaders from the Allied nations. This area was overseen by the Joint Chiefs of Staff in the United States, especially by Admiral Ernest King, who was the Commander-in-Chief of the U.S. Navy. Rear Admiral Abel T. Bidwell was the first commander of this important area.

What Was the Southeast Pacific Area?

On March 24, 1942, British and Allied military leaders decided that the Pacific region would be a main area of responsibility for the United States during the war. A few days later, on March 30, the Joint Chiefs of Staff divided the huge Pacific theater into three main parts:

• The Pacific Ocean Areas (POA)
• The Southwest Pacific Area (SWPA)
• The Southeast Pacific Area

This division helped organize the military efforts and assign specific tasks to different forces.

The Southeast Pacific Force

The main naval group in the Southeast Pacific Area was called the Southeast Pacific Force, or SoEastPac. It was a smaller group of warships, including cruisers and destroyers. Their home base was in Balboa, Panama, which was a key location near the Panama Canal.

This force was created on August 28, 1941, even before the U.S. officially entered World War II. Its main job was to protect American ships from enemy attacks. They were specifically tasked with finding and stopping enemy ships that were raiding or threatening U.S. merchant ships.

Some of the ships that served in the Southeast Pacific Force included:

• The light cruisers USS Concord
• USS Trenton
• USS Detroit
• The destroyers USS Warrington
• USS McDougal

These ships played a vital role in keeping shipping lanes safe in that part of the Pacific.

Who Led the Southeast Pacific Area?

The Southeast Pacific Area was officially established on December 8, 1941. Several admirals and captains commanded this area throughout World War II. Here is a list of the commanders and their time in charge:

• Rear Admiral Abel T. Bidwell: December 8, 1941 – January 6, 1942
• Rear Admiral John F. Shafroth Jr.: January 6, 1942 – December 25, 1942
• Rear Admiral Francis E. M. Whiting: December 25, 1942 – October 12, 1943
• Rear Admiral Harold C. Train: October 12, 1943 – June 8, 1944
• Captain Ellis S. Stone (Acting): June 8, 1944 – November 3, 1944
• Rear Admiral Howard F. Kingman: November 3, 1944 – July 9, 1945
• Captain Schuyler Mills (Acting): July 9, 1945 – August 23, 1945
• Rear Admiral John R. Beardall: August 23, 1945 – September 2, 1945

See also

• Panama during World War II