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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.
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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 applicableCenotaph
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 ]
Last Name, First Name, M.I. Notes ~ ( If Available ) |
Rank |
of Service |
Status Survivor ? |
Memorial |
Memorial Click on " Yes " |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Augustus, Wayne Herbert![]() ![]() |
Mate 1st Class | " Killed In Action " |
Cemetery Waterville, KS |
Last Bell: November 1, 1944 |
Last Name, First Name, M.I. Notes ~ ( If Available ) |
Rank |
of Service |
Status Survivor ? |
Memorial |
Memorial Click on " Yes " |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Brewer, Robert Norries![]() ![]() on April 18, 1943, was wounded when the Abner Read struck a mine ! |
1st Class | " Missing In Action " |
American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph ) |
Last Bell: November 1, 1944 | |
Bright, Alvin Martin![]() ![]() |
1st Class | " Missing In Action " |
American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph ) |
Last Bell: November 1, 1944 | |
Brown, William Howard![]() ![]() |
1st Class | " Missing In Action " |
American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph ) |
Last Bell: November 1, 1944 |
Last Name, First Name, M.I. Notes ~ ( If Available ) |
Rank |
of Service |
Status Survivor ? |
Memorial |
Memorial Click on " Yes " |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Carr, John William, Jr.![]() " 7 Days Later " from his wounds ! |
1st Class | " Died Of Wounds " " Survivor " |
Park Cemetery Kansas City, MO |
Last Bell: November 8, 1944 | |
Chipman, Emmitt David, Jr.![]() |
Mate 3rd Class | " Wounded In Action " " Survivor " |
Oaks Cemetery Del Rio, TX |
Last Bell: April 19, 2005 |
Last Name, First Name, M.I. Notes ~ ( If Available ) |
Rank |
of Service |
Status Survivor ? |
Memorial |
Memorial Click on " Yes " |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Drapela, Frank Lambert![]() |
Controlman 3rd Class | " Wounded In Action " " Survivor " |
Cemetery Phoenix, AZ |
Last Bell: July 14, 2005 |
Last Name, First Name, M.I. Notes ~ ( If Available ) |
Rank |
of Service |
Status Survivor ? |
Memorial |
Memorial Click on " Yes " |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Gawlowicz, Walter![]() |
Mate 3rd Class | " Wounded In Action " " Survivor " |
Cemetery Wallingford, CT |
Last Bell: February 16, 2006 | |
Granby, Robert Lee![]() |
3rd Class | " Wounded In Action " " Survivor " |
National Cemetery Portland, OR |
Last Bell: June 27, 2012 | |
Griffin, Jimmy Cecil |
1st Class | " Wounded In Action " " Survivor " |
May 3, 1973 |
Last Name, First Name, M.I. Notes ~ ( If Available ) |
Rank |
of Service |
Status Survivor ? |
Memorial |
Memorial Click on " Yes " |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Hallman, John Henry![]() |
2nd Class | " Wounded In Action " " Survivor " |
Church Cemetery Spring City, PA |
Last Bell: November 24, 1973 | |
Hampshire, William Edward![]() |
1st Class | " Wounded In Action " " Survivor " |
Fremont, OH |
Last Bell: September 8, 2009 | |
Harmon, George Kenneth![]() |
Controlman 3rd Class | " Killed In Action " |
Perryville, KY |
Last Bell: November 1, 1944 |
Last Name, First Name, M.I. Notes ~ ( If Available ) |
Rank |
of Service |
Status Survivor ? |
Memorial |
Memorial Click on " Yes " |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Kephart, Anson Wade![]() |
1st Class | " Missing In Action " |
American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph ) |
Last Bell: November 1, 1944 | |
Kettle, Joseph Eugene![]() |
" Missing In Action " |
American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph ) |
Last Bell: November 1, 1944 |
Last Name, First Name, M.I. Notes ~ ( If Available ) |
Rank |
of Service |
Status Survivor ? |
Memorial |
Memorial Click on " Yes " |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Longosz, Raymond Frederick![]() |
1st Class | " Missing In Action " |
American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph ) |
Last Bell: November 1, 1944 |
Last Name, First Name, M.I. Notes ~ ( If Available ) |
Rank |
of Service |
Status Survivor ? |
Memorial |
Memorial Click on " Yes " |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
McCluen, William Albert![]() |
Mate 1st Class | " Missing In Action " |
American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph ) |
Last Bell: November 1, 1944 | |
McQueen, Paul Samuel, Jr. |
Mate 3rd Class | " Wounded In Action " " Survivor " |
August 1, 2011 | ||
Meyers, Charles Ralph![]() ![]() |
Mate 2nd Class | " Missing In Action " |
American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph ) |
Last Bell: November 1, 1944 | |
Moore, George Austin |
Mate 1st Class | " Wounded In Action " " Survivor " |
Surviving? |
Last Name, First Name, M.I. Notes ~ ( If Available ) |
Rank |
of Service |
Status Survivor ? |
Memorial |
Memorial Click on " Yes " |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
O'Neill, William John, Jr.![]() |
" Missing In Action " |
American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph ) |
Last Bell: November 1, 1944 | ||
Ortiz, David Landin![]() " 11 Days Later " from his wounds ! |
1st Class | " Died Of Wounds " " Survivor " |
Cemetery Culver City, CA |
Last Bell: November 12, 1944 |
Last Name, First Name, M.I. Notes ~ ( If Available ) |
Rank |
of Service |
Status Survivor ? |
Memorial |
Memorial Click on " Yes " |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Reynolds, Clarence, Sr.![]() |
1st Class | " Missing In Action " |
American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph ) |
Last Bell: November 1, 1944 | |
Robson, Walstans Steel![]() Mr. & Mrs. William Coburn Robson of Long Beach, CA |
" Missing In Action " |
American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph ) |
Last Bell: November 1, 1944 | ||
Rohland, Robert Lloyd![]() " 7 Days Later " from his wounds ! |
2nd Class | " Died Of Wounds " " Survivor " |
Memorial Park Lake Forest Park, WA |
Last Bell: November 8, 1944 | |
Rooker, William Henry![]() |
2nd Class | " Missing In Action " |
American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph ) |
Last Bell: November 1, 1944 | |
Rossi, Emil Nick![]() |
Mate 1st Class | " Killed In Action " " Survivor " |
Youngstown, OH |
Last Bell: November 1, 1944 | |
Rudder, Lyles B.![]() ![]() " 10 Days Later " from his wounds ! |
2nd Class | " Died Of Wounds " " Survivor " |
Cemetery Scottsboro, AL |
Last Bell: November 11, 1944 |
Last Name, First Name, M.I. Notes ~ ( If Available ) |
Rank |
of Service |
Status Survivor ? |
Memorial |
Memorial Click on " Yes " |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Simmons, Timothy![]() |
3rd Class | " Missing In Action " |
American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph ) |
Last Bell: November 1, 1944 |
Last Name, First Name, M.I. Notes ~ ( If Available ) |
Rank |
of Service |
Status Survivor ? |
Memorial |
Memorial Click on " Yes " |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Tirabassi, Ernest![]() |
2nd Class | " Killed In Action " |
Cemetery Cleveland, OH ( cenotaph ) |
Last Bell: November 1, 1944 | |
Trosper, Frank![]() ![]() |
Mate 3rd Class | " Missing In Action " |
American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph ) |
Last Bell: November 1, 1944 |
Last Name, First Name, M.I. Notes ~ ( If Available ) |
Rank |
of Service |
Status Survivor ? |
Memorial |
Memorial Click on " Yes " |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Warner, Lawrence Elmer![]() ![]() on April 18, 1943, was wounded when the Abner Read struck a mine ! |
1st Class | " Missing In Action " |
American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph ) |
Last Bell: November 1, 1944 | |
Weathers, Daryl Lester |
1st Class | " Wounded In Action " " Survivor " |
Surviving? |
Last Name, First Name, M.I. Notes ~ ( If Available ) |
Rank |
of Service |
Status Survivor ? |
Memorial |
Memorial Click on " Yes " |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Zingg, Ernest, Jr.![]() ![]() " 4 Days Later " from his wounds ! |
Mate 3rd Class | " Died Of Wounds " " Survivor " |
American Cemetery Philippines ( cenotaph ) |
Last Bell: November 5, 1944 ( Buried At Sea ) |
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Email any questions or comments to:
Russ Pickett ~ ( russpickde@comcast.net )
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