In Memoriam
In Memoriam
On 19 Mar 1944 during the third CVE 21 USS Block Island combat cruise the following casualties occurred when a TBF took anti-aircraft fire from submarine U-1059 and crashed.
Lt. (jg) Norman T. Dowty, pilot, [Navy Cross]
Edgar W. Burton, ARM 1/c, radioman
When the CVE 21 USS Block Island was torpedoed six men were lost. The demise of these shipmates depressed everyone although each man was thankful that the casualties in so great a disaster were so few:
James O'Neil Franks, COX, USNR
James Peter Kibash, MM3c, USNR
Peter Tych, S1c, USN-1
Henry Alfred Meyer, EM2c, USNR
James Byrell Owen, AMM1C, USNR
John J. Schlinker, S1c, USNR
Six fighting planes were in the air at the time their carrier was destroyed. Having nowhere to land, they flew to the nearest islands. Only two of the planes made successful landings although when setting their planes down on Portugal possessions, they knew the reception would not be cordial. They were rescued as soon as possible by planes from Casablanca. To the four aviators of the “Fighting Block Island” who were lost, we make a final salute:
Lt. Robert P. Buell, USNR
Lt. (jg) Julian L. Pitts, USNR
Lt. (jg) Robert W. Wyatt, USNR
Ensign Robert E. Innis, USNR
Fifteen other men were injured and taken to the U.S. Naval Base Hospital at Casablanca, where they recovered and most of them returned to active duty.
The DE 576 USS Barr was damaged by a torpedo in the same action. As a result of this damage the following 17 crew members lost their lives:
James Adams
Carl Bennett
Meredeth Brady
Carl Burdett
Robert Cook
Thomas Ellis
Michael Gorchyca
Gordon Haynes
David Jenkins
Clyde Johnson
Phillips Marion
Leland McCabe
William Roddy
James Rouse
James Simmons, Jr.
Jessie Strong
Thomas Williams
Other CVE 21 deaths during World War II included:
LCDR Clyde Hopkins McCroskey - killed during a night carrier landing off of Norfolk, VA
During the Pacific Ocean air activities, flying from the deck of CVE 106, the following US Marine Corps pilots and aircrew personnel lost their lives:
VTMB-233:
Sgt. Joseph L Butehorn, USMCR
S/Sgt. Ben Davis Cannon, USMC
2nd Lt. Raymond DeLaughder, pilot, USMC
Sgt. Edward Gunning, USMCR
2nd Lt. Douglas Herrin ,pilot, USMCR
Sgt. Gunter Hunrichs, USMCR
2nd Lt. Jack Marconi ,pilot, USMCR
T/Sgt. James Miles, USMC
Sgt. Felix Pawlowski, USMCR
PFC Eugene Shute, USMCR
S/Sgt. Joe Survoy, USMC
Major Robert Vaupell ,pilot, USMC
VMF-511:
2nd Lt. Goldberg, pilot, USMCR
2nd Lt. Robert Haire ,pilot, USMC
Lt. Harold Harmer ,pilot, USMCR
2nd Lt. Charles Harris ,pilot, USMCR
2nd Lt. Albert Jones, pilot, USMCR
Major Robert Maze, pilot, USMC
CASD-1:
PFC Joseph Cordova, USMC
T/Sgt. John D. Sykes, Jr., USMC
Unfortunately, many of our shipmates have passed away since the end of WWII and Korea. At this time the Association wishes to list on the website only those shipmates who were lost while serving on the two carriers and the destroyer escorts. If you have any corrections or additions, please contact the Association.