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 " 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 " Abner Read " , at 01.50 hours, 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 ( DD-526 ) "
on
" April 18, 1943 :

   

The
" U.S.S. Abner Read ( DD-526 ) "
was
Sunk by " 1 Bomb " on
" November 1, 1944 "

         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 ".   On the " Majority " of the online memorials you will see a small biography for each soldier which may include:

Parent's, Grandparent's & Sibling's Names,
where & when they were born,
where they grew up,
when & where they enlisted in the service,
the military unit they were part of,
" AND "
where and how they actually died during the war !

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 " Red " 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 ~ Middle Name Photos ~ Awards Notes ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	State Of Residence ~ ~ ~ Cause Of Passing	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online Memorial ~ ~ ~ Click Below
Augustus,  Wayne Herbert   ~  PH " Family Link Included "	Gunner's Mate 1st Class	U.S. Navy	Kansas ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action	Riverside Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Waterville, Kansas	~ ~ ~ Last Bell: ~ ~ ~ November 1, 1944

Last Name ~ First Name ~ Middle Name Photos ~ Awards Notes ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	State Of Residence ~ ~ ~ Cause Of Passing	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online Memorial ~ ~ ~ Click Below
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	~ ~ ~ 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	~ ~ ~ Last Bell: ~ ~ ~ November 1, 1944
Brown,  William Howard   ~  PH	Fireman 1st Class	U.S. Navy	Idaho ~ ~ ~ " Missing " In Action	Manilla American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Philippines ~ ~ ~ Cenotaph	~ ~ ~ Last Bell: ~ ~ ~ November 1, 1944

Last Name ~ First Name ~ Middle Name Photos ~ Awards Notes ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	State Of Residence ~ ~ ~ Cause Of Passing	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online Memorial ~ ~ ~ Click Below
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 " Of Attack	Memorial Park Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Kansas City, Missouri	~ ~ ~ Last Bell : ~ ~ ~ November 8, 1944
Chipman,  Emmitt David, Jr.   ~  PH " Family Link Included "	Torpedoman's Mate 3rd Class	U.S. Navy	Arizona ~ ~ ~ " Wounded " ~ ~ ~ " Survivor " Of Attack	Sunset Memorial Oaks Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Del Rio, Texas	~ ~ ~ Last Bell : ~ ~ ~ April 19, 2005

Last Name ~ First Name ~ Middle Name Photos ~ Awards Notes ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	State Of Residence ~ ~ ~ Cause Of Passing	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online Memorial ~ ~ ~ Click Below
Drapela,  Frank Lambert   ~  BS - PH " Family Link Included "	Fire Controlman 3rd Class	U.S. Navy	Arizona ~ ~ ~ " Wounded " ~ ~ ~ " Survivor " Of Attack	National Memorial Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Phoenix, Arizona	~ ~ ~ Last Bell : ~ ~ ~ July 14, 2005

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

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

Last Name ~ First Name ~ Middle Name Photos ~ Awards Notes ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	State Of Residence ~ ~ ~ Cause Of Passing	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online Memorial ~ ~ ~ Click Below
Hallman,  John Henry   ~  PH " Family Link Included "	Seaman 2nd Class	U.S. Navy	New Jersey ~ ~ ~ " Wounded " ~ ~ ~ " Survivor " Of Attack	Zion Lutheran Church Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Spring City, Pennsylvania	~ ~ ~ Last Bell: ~ ~ ~ November 24, 1973
Hampshire,  William Edward   ~  PH " Family Link Included "	Seaman 1st Class	U.S. Navy	Ohio ~ ~ ~ " Wounded " ~ ~ ~ " Survivor " Of Attack	Oakwood Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Fremont, Ohio	~ ~ ~ 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, Kentucky	~ ~ ~ Last Bell: ~ ~ ~ November 1, 1944

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

Last Name ~ First Name ~ Middle Name Photos ~ Awards Notes ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	State Of Residence ~ ~ ~ Cause Of Passing	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online Memorial ~ ~ ~ Click Below
Kephart,  Anson Wade   ~  PH	Seaman 1st Class	U.S. Navy	Pennsylvania ~ ~ ~ " Missing " In Action	Manilla American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Philippines ~ ~ ~ Cenotaph	~ ~ ~ Last Bell: ~ ~ ~ November 1, 1944
Kettle,  Joseph Eugene   ~  PH	Lieutenant	U.S. Navy	Illinois ~ ~ ~ " Missing " In Action	Manilla American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Philippines ~ ~ ~ Cenotaph	~ ~ ~ Last Bell: ~ ~ ~ November 1, 1944

Last Name ~ First Name ~ Middle Name Photos ~ Awards Notes ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	State Of Residence ~ ~ ~ Cause Of Passing	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online Memorial ~ ~ ~ Click Below
Longosz,  Raymond Frederick   ~  PH	Seaman 1st Class	U.S. Navy	Illinois ~ ~ ~ " Missing " In Action	Manilla American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Philippines ~ ~ ~ Cenotaph	~ ~ ~ Last Bell: ~ ~ ~ November 1, 1944

Last Name ~ First Name ~ Middle Name Photos ~ Awards Notes ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	State Of Residence ~ ~ ~ Cause Of Passing	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online Memorial ~ ~ ~ Click Below
McCluen,  William Albert   ~  SS - PH	Boatswain's Mate 1st Class	U.S. Navy	California ~ ~ ~ " Missing " In Action	Manilla American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Philippines ~ ~ ~ Cenotaph	~ ~ ~ Last Bell: ~ ~ ~ November 1, 1944
McQueen,  Paul Samuel, Jr. N/A  ~  PH	Gunner's Mate 3rd Class	U.S. Navy	Pennsylvania ~ ~ ~ " Wounded " ~ ~ ~ " Survivor " Of Attack	" 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	~ ~ ~ Last Bell: ~ ~ ~ November 1, 1944
Moore,  George Austin N/A  ~  PH	Machinist's Mate 1st Class	U.S. Navy	Oregon ? ~ ~ ~ " Wounded " ~ ~ ~ " Survivor " Of Attack	" Not Found "	Still Surviving ?

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

Last Name ~ First Name ~ Middle Name Photos ~ Awards Notes ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	State Of Residence ~ ~ ~ Cause Of Passing	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online Memorial ~ ~ ~ Click Below
O'Neill,  William John, Jr.   ~  PH " Family Link Included "	Ensign	U.S. Navy	New York ~ ~ ~ " Missing " In Action	Manilla American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Philippines ~ ~ ~ Cenotaph	~ ~ ~ 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 " Of Attack	Holy Cross Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Culver City, California	~ ~ ~ Last Bell: ~ ~ ~ November 12, 1944

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

Last Name ~ First Name ~ Middle Name Photos ~ Awards Notes ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	State Of Residence ~ ~ ~ Cause Of Passing	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online Memorial ~ ~ ~ Click Below
Reynolds,  Clarence, Sr.   ~  PH	Seaman 1st Class	U.S. Navy	Georgia ~ ~ ~ " Missing " In Action	Manilla American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Philippines ~ ~ ~ Cenotaph	~ ~ ~ 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	~ ~ ~ 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 " Of Attack	Acacia Memorial Park ~ ~ ~ Lake Forest Park, Washington	~ ~ ~ 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	~ ~ ~ Last Bell: ~ ~ ~ November 1, 1944
Rossi,  Emil Nick   ~  PH	Boatswain's Mate 1st Class	U.S. Navy	Ohio ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action ~ ~ ~ " Survivor " Of Attack	Calvary Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Youngstown, Ohio	~ ~ ~ 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 " Of Attack	Cedar Hill Cemetery Scottsboro, AL	~ ~ ~ Last Bell: ~ ~ ~ November 11, 1944

Last Name ~ First Name ~ Middle Name Photos ~ Awards Notes ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	State Of Residence ~ ~ ~ Cause Of Passing	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online Memorial ~ ~ ~ Click Below
Simmons,  Timothy   ~  BS - PH	Steward 3rd Class	U.S. Navy	Florida ~ ~ ~ " Missing " In Action	Manilla American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Philippines ~ ~ ~ Cenotaph	~ ~ ~ Last Bell: ~ ~ ~ November 1, 1944

Last Name ~ First Name ~ Middle Name Photos ~ Awards Notes ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	State Of Residence ~ ~ ~ Cause Of Passing	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online Memorial ~ ~ ~ Click Below
Tirabassi,  Ernest   ~  PH " Family Link Included "	Seaman 2nd Class	U.S. Navy	Ohio ~ ~ ~ " Killed " In Action	Calvary Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Cleveland, Ohio	~ ~ ~ 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	~ ~ ~ Last Bell: ~ ~ ~ November 1, 1944

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

Last Name ~ First Name ~ Middle Name Photos ~ Awards Notes ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	State Of Residence ~ ~ ~ Cause Of Passing	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online Memorial ~ ~ ~ Click Below
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	~ ~ ~ Last Bell: ~ ~ ~ November 1, 1944
Weathers,  Daryl Lester N/A  ~  PH	Seaman 1st Class	U.S. Navy	California ~ ~ ~ " Wounded " ~ ~ ~ " Survivor " Of Attack	" Not Found "	Still Surviving?

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

Last Name ~ First Name ~ Middle Name Photos ~ Awards Notes ( If Available )	Military Rank	Branch of Service	State Of Residence ~ ~ ~ Cause Of Passing	Cemetery / Memorial	For Online Memorial ~ ~ ~ Click Below
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 " Of Attack	Manilla American Cemetery ~ ~ ~ Philippines ~ ~ ~ Cenotaph ~ ~ ~ Buried At Sea	~ ~ ~ Last Bell: ~ ~ ~ November 5, 1944

Email any questions or comments to:

Russ Pickett  ~  ( russpickde@comcast.net )