The " U.S.S. Abner Read ( DD-526 ) " was a Fletcher-class destroyer of the United States Navy named for " Lt. Commander Abner Read " who served in the American Civil War.

         The " U.S.S. Abner Read " was laid down on October 30, 1941 in San Francisco, California, by Bethlehem Steel and launched on August 18, 1942, sponsored by Mrs. John W. Gates.   The " Abner Read " was commissioned on February 5, 1943.

         On April 18, 1943 the " U.S.S. Abner Read " , at 01.50 hours on August 18, 1943, while patroling off Kiska Island in the Aluetian Islands struck a Japanese mine with the stern of the ship.   This set off the ship's smoke screen generator, which began to pour toxic smoke over the stern.   Men sleeping in the aft compartments suffered from smoke inhalation.   In the darkness, a few men fell through holes in the deck into fuel oil tanks below.

         The stern broke away and sank and about 90 men either went down with the stern or ended up in the water, which was covered with fuel oil.   About 20 men were pulled from the water, as was the body of a dead crewman.   The destroyer lost 2 crewman who were " Killed In Action ", 69 crewmen were " Missing In Action " and 47 of the crew were " wounded ".

To see those lost on the

" U.S.S. Abner Read "

on April 18, 1943 :

   

The " U.S.S. Abner Read ( DD-526 ) "

Sunk by " 1 Bomb "

         The " U.S.S. Abner Read ( DD-526 ) " under the command of " T/Cdr. Arthur Montgomery Purdy ", while patrolling with Naval Task Group 77.1 in the lower Leyte Gulf, were attacked by a Japanese launched air attack.   At around 13:41, an Aichi D3A " Val " Japanese dive bomber approached the " Abner Read ".   The destroyer's antiaircraft guns blew a wing off the aircraft however it's bomb dropped down one of the " Abner Read's " stacks and exploded in her aft engine room.

         The aircraft crashed across the main deck, hitting the 40mm fire director, aft torpedo tubes, and then swept the port 20mm Oerlikons over the side and set fire to the aft section.   The ship lost water pressure making firefighting impossible and at 13:52, a large internal explosion caused her to list about 10 degrees to the starboard and soon the destroyer started to sink by the stern.

         At 14:15 the " Abner Read " rolled over on her starboard side and sank.   Other Destroyers quickly came to her aid and started to rescue survivors.

However
" 24 members "
of her crew were lost !

         The following below listing was created in the memory of those that Served On " and " those who " GAVE THEIR ALL " on the " U.S.S. Abner Read ( DD-526 ) ".   There are personal "online memorials" for each of these honored men that were created for them by using the "Find A Grave" website.   You will see a blue " Yes " behind their names and by clicking on the " Yes " you will see a personal memorial that has been created for them by myself or someone else.

BS
   Awarded the " Bronze Star " ~ ( 4th highest award for bravery, heroism or meritorious service )
BS+
   Awarded multiple " Bronze Stars " ~ ( Noted as an Oak Leaf Cluster attached to the " First " Bronze Star )
DSC
   Awarded the " Distinguished Service Cross " ~ ( 2nd highest award for extreme gallantry and risk of life )
DSM
   Awarded the " Distinguished Service Medal " ~ ( Awarded for Exceptionally meritorious service to the Government of the United States )
MOH
   Awarded the " Medal Of Honor " ~ ( Highest military honor, awarded for personal acts of valor above and beyond the call of duty )
NC
   Awarded the " Navy Cross " ~ ( 2nd highest military decoration for valor that may be awarded to a member of the Navy, Marines, or Coast Guard )
NMM
   Awarded the " Navy / Marine Medal " ~ ( Awarded for distinguishing oneself by heroism not involving actual conflict )
NSM
   Awarded the " Specially Meritorious Service Medal " ~ ( Awarded for non-combat meritorious service for Navy Sailors )
PH
   Awarded the " Purple Heart " ~ ( Awarded for being wounded or killed in action )
PH+
   Awarded " Multiple Purple Hearts " ~ ( Noted as an Oak Leaf Clusters attached to the " First " Purple Heart. )
POW
   Awarded the " Prisoner Of War Medal " ~ ( Awarded for serving as a Prisoner of the enemy. )
PUC
   Awarded a " Presidential Unit Citation " ~ ( Awarded to a unit and/or ship for heroism or extraordinary achievement. )
SS
   Awarded the " Silver Star " ~ ( 3rd highest award ~ awarded for gallantry in action )
SS+
   Awarded multiple " Silver Stars " ~ ( Noted as an Oak Leaf Clusters attached to the " First " Silver Star. )

Other Medals
      Such as Good Conduct, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign, American Defense Service Medals, etc. " Are Not " included in this listing.

= Photo of person shown on online memorial

= Photo of tombstone or listing shown on online memorial

n/a ~ ( in awards field ) = not applicable
n/a ~ ( in photo field ) = not applicable
n/a ~ ( in notes field ) = not applicable

Cenotaph
   A memorial stone only ~ ( remains not recovered, interred somewhere else, or possibly interred somewhere unknown )

( Those letters shown in " Maroon " below " currently " have no sailors listed on this ship ! )

[  A  ]  -  [  B  ]  -  [  C  ]  -  [  D  ]  -  [  E  ]  -  [  F  ]  -  [  G  ]

[  H  ]  -  [  I  ]  -  [  J  ]  -  [  K  ]  -  [  L  ]  -  [  M  ]  -  [  N  ]

[  O  ]  -  [  P  ]  -  [  Q  ]  -  [  R  ]  -  [  S  ]  -  [  T  ]  -  [  U  ]

[  V  ]  -  [  W  ]  -  [  X  ]  -  [  Y  ]  -  [  Z  ]

Last Name, First Name, M.I. Awards ~ Photos Notes ~ ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	Home State Status Survivor ?	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "
Augustus, Wayne Herbert   ~  PH " Family Link Included "	Gunner's Mate 1st Class	U.S. Navy	Kansas " Killed In Action "	Riverside Cemetery Waterville, KS	" Yes " Last Bell: November 1, 1944

Last Name, First Name, M.I. Awards ~ Photos Notes ~ ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	Home State Status Survivor ?	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "
Brewer, Robert Norries   ~  PH+ Robert, on April 18, 1943, was wounded when the Abner Read struck a mine !	Fireman 1st Class	U.S. Navy	Colorado " Missing In Action "	Manilla American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph )	" Yes " Last Bell: November 1, 1944
Bright, Alvin Martin   ~  PH " Family Link Included "	Fireman 1st Class	U.S. Navy	Oregon " Missing In Action "	Manilla American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph )	" Yes " Last Bell: November 1, 1944
Brown, William Howard   ~  PH	Fireman 1st Class	U.S. Navy	Idaho " Missing In Action "	Manilla American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph )	" Yes " Last Bell: November 1, 1944

Last Name, First Name, M.I. Awards ~ Photos Notes ~ ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	Home State Status Survivor ?	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "
Carr, John William, Jr.   ~  PH John died " 7 Days Later " from his wounds ! " Family Link Included "	Seaman 1st Class	U.S. Navy	Missouri " Died Of Wounds " " Survivor "	Memorial Park Cemetery Kansas City, MO	" Yes " Last Bell: November 8, 1944
Chipman, Emmitt David, Jr.   ~  PH " Family Link Included "	Torpedoman's Mate 3rd Class	U.S. Navy	Arizona " Wounded In Action " " Survivor "	Sunset Memorial Oaks Cemetery Del Rio, TX	" Yes " Last Bell: April 19, 2005

Last Name, First Name, M.I. Awards ~ Photos Notes ~ ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	Home State Status Survivor ?	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "
Drapela, Frank Lambert   ~  BS - PH " Family Link Included "	Fire Controlman 3rd Class	U.S. Navy	Arizona " Wounded In Action " " Survivor "	National Memorial Cemetery Phoenix, AZ	" Yes " Last Bell: July 14, 2005

Last Names starting with " E " ~ " None Reported ! "

Last Names starting with " F " ~ " None Reported ! "

Last Name, First Name, M.I. Awards ~ Photos Notes ~ ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	Home State Status Survivor ?	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "
Gawlowicz, Walter   ~  PH " Family Link Included "	Torpedoman's Mate 3rd Class	U.S. Navy	Connecticut " Wounded In Action " " Survivor "	In Memoriam Cemetery Wallingford, CT	" Yes " Last Bell: February 16, 2006
Granby, Robert Lee   ~  PH " Family Link Included "	Ship's Cook 3rd Class	U.S. Navy	Oregon " Wounded In Action " " Survivor "	Willamette National Cemetery Portland, OR	" Yes " Last Bell: June 27, 2012
Griffin, Jimmy Cecil N/A  ~  PH	Seaman 1st Class	U.S. Navy	California " Wounded In Action " " Survivor "	" Not Found "	Last Bell: May 3, 1973

Last Name, First Name, M.I. Awards ~ Photos Notes ~ ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	Home State Status Survivor ?	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "
Hallman, John Henry   ~  PH " Family Link Included "	Seaman 2nd Class	U.S. Navy	New Jersey " Wounded In Action " " Survivor "	Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery Spring City, PA	" Yes " Last Bell: November 24, 1973
Hampshire, William Edward   ~  PH " Family Link Included "	Seaman 1st Class	U.S. Navy	Ohio " Wounded In Action " " Survivor "	Oakwood Cemetery Fremont, OH	" Yes " Last Bell: September 8, 2009
Harmon, George Kenneth   ~  PH " Family Link Included "	Fire Controlman 3rd Class	U.S. Navy	Kentucky " Killed In Action "	Perryville Cemetery Perryville, KY	" Yes " Last Bell: November 1, 1944

Last Names starting with " I " ~ " None Reported ! "

Last Names starting with " J " ~ " None Reported ! "

Last Name, First Name, M.I. Awards ~ Photos Notes ~ ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	Home State Status Survivor ?	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "
Kephart, Anson Wade   ~  PH	Seaman 1st Class	U.S. Navy	Pennsylvania " Missing In Action "	Manilla American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph )	" Yes " Last Bell: November 1, 1944
Kettle, Joseph Eugene   ~  PH	Lieutenant	U.S. Navy	Illinois " Missing In Action "	Manilla American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph )	" Yes " Last Bell: November 1, 1944

Last Name, First Name, M.I. Awards ~ Photos Notes ~ ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	Home State Status Survivor ?	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "
Longosz, Raymond Frederick   ~  PH	Seaman 1st Class	U.S. Navy	Illinois " Missing In Action "	Manilla American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph )	" Yes " Last Bell: November 1, 1944

Last Name, First Name, M.I. Awards ~ Photos Notes ~ ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	Home State Status Survivor ?	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "
McCluen, William Albert   ~  SS - PH	Boatswain's Mate 1st Class	U.S. Navy	California " Missing In Action "	Manilla American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph )	" Yes " Last Bell: November 1, 1944
McQueen, Paul Samuel, Jr. N/A  ~  PH	Gunner's Mate 3rd Class	U.S. Navy	Pennsylvania " Wounded In Action " " Survivor "	" Not Found "	Last Bell: August 1, 2011
Meyers, Charles Ralph   ~  BS - PH	Machinist's Mate 2nd Class	U.S. Navy	Oregon " Missing In Action "	Manilla American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph )	" Yes " Last Bell: November 1, 1944
Moore, George Austin N/A  ~  PH	Machinist's Mate 1st Class	U.S. Navy	Oregon? " Wounded In Action " " Survivor "	" Not Found "	Last Bell: Surviving?

Last Names starting with " N " ~ " None Reported ! "

Last Name, First Name, M.I. Awards ~ Photos Notes ~ ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	Home State Status Survivor ?	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "
O'Neill, William John, Jr.   ~  PH " Family Link Included "	Ensign	U.S. Navy	New York " Missing In Action "	Manilla American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph )	" Yes " Last Bell: November 1, 1944
Ortiz, David Landin   ~  PH David died " 11 Days Later " from his wounds !	Seaman 1st Class	U.S. Navy	California " Died Of Wounds " " Survivor "	Holy Cross Cemetery Culver City, CA	" Yes " Last Bell: November 12, 1944

Last Names starting with " P " ~ " None Reported ! "

Last Names starting with " Q " ~ " None Reported ! "

Last Name, First Name, M.I. Awards ~ Photos Notes ~ ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	Home State Status Survivor ?	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "
Reynolds, Clarence, Sr.   ~  PH	Seaman 1st Class	U.S. Navy	Georgia " Missing In Action "	Manilla American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph )	" Yes " Last Bell: November 1, 1944
Robson, Walstans Steel   ~  PH Son of Mr. & Mrs. William Coburn Robson of Long Beach, CA	Ensign	U.S. Navy	California " Missing In Action "	Manilla American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph )	" Yes " Last Bell: November 1, 1944
Rohland, Robert Lloyd   ~  PH Robert died " 7 Days Later " from his wounds ! " Family Link Included "	Seaman 2nd Class	U.S. Navy	Washington " Died Of Wounds " " Survivor "	Acacia Memorial Park Lake Forest Park, WA	" Yes " Last Bell: November 8, 1944
Rooker, William Henry   ~  PH " Family Link Included "	Seaman 2nd Class	U.S. Navy	Ohio " Missing In Action "	Manilla American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph )	" Yes " Last Bell: November 1, 1944
Rossi, Emil Nick   ~  PH	Boatswain's Mate 1st Class	U.S. Navy	Ohio " Killed In Action " " Survivor "	Calvary Cemetery Youngstown, OH	" Yes " Last Bell: November 1, 1944
Rudder, Lyles B.   ~  PH Lyles died " 10 Days Later " from his wounds ! " Family Link Included "	Seaman 2nd Class	U.S. Navy	Alabama " Died Of Wounds " " Survivor "	Cedar Hill Cemetery Scottsboro, AL	" Yes " Last Bell: November 11, 1944

Last Name, First Name, M.I. Awards ~ Photos Notes ~ ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	Home State Status Survivor ?	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "
Simmons, Timothy   ~  BS - PH	Steward 3rd Class	U.S. Navy	Florida " Missing In Action "	Manilla American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph )	" Yes " Last Bell: November 1, 1944

Last Name, First Name, M.I. Awards ~ Photos Notes ~ ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	Home State Status Survivor ?	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "
Tirabassi, Ernest   ~  PH " Family Link Included "	Seaman 2nd Class	U.S. Navy	Ohio " Killed In Action "	Calvary Cemetery Cleveland, OH ( cenotaph )	" Yes " Last Bell: November 1, 1944
Trosper, Frank   ~  PH	Machinist's Mate 3rd Class	U.S. Navy	Iowa " Missing In Action "	Manilla American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph )	" Yes " Last Bell: November 1, 1944

Last Names starting with " U " ~ " None Reported ! "

Last Names starting with " V " ~ " None Reported ! "

Last Name, First Name, M.I. Awards ~ Photos Notes ~ ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	Home State Status Survivor ?	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "
Warner, Lawrence Elmer   ~  PH+ Lawrence, on April 18, 1943, was wounded when the Abner Read struck a mine !	Seaman 1st Class	U.S. Navy	Texas " Missing In Action "	Manilla American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph )	" Yes " Last Bell: November 1, 1944
Weathers, Daryl Lester N/A  ~  PH	Seaman 1st Class	U.S. Navy	California " Wounded In Action " " Survivor "	" Not Found "	Last Bell: Surviving?

Last Names starting with " X " ~ " None Reported ! "

Last Names starting with " Y " ~ " None Reported ! "

Last Name, First Name, M.I. Awards ~ Photos Notes ~ ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	Home State Status Survivor ?	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online  Memorial Click on " Yes "
Zingg, Ernest, Jr.   ~  PH Ernest died " 4 Days Later " from his wounds !	Torpedoman's Mate 3rd Class	U.S. Navy	Ohio " Died Of Wounds " " Survivor "	Manilla American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph )	" Yes " Last Bell: November 5, 1944 ( Buried At Sea )

Email any questions or comments to:

Russ Pickett  ~  ( russpickde@comcast.net )