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First Name: Joseph

Last Name: Floyd

Birthplace: Crenshaw county, AL, US

Gender: Male



Branch: Navy (present)

Rating: Shipfitter 1st Class

Home of Record: AL
Middle Name: Pettus



Date of Birth: 02 September 1909

Date of Death: 25 November 1945 (Presumed)

MIA Date: 01 March 1942

Rank or Rate: Petty Officer First Class

Years Served: 1931-1845
JOSEPH PETTUS FLOYD
'Joe or Pettus'

   
Engagements:
•  World War II (1941 - 1945)

Biography:

Note: See poignant letter from his ex-fiancee at the end of this bio.

JOSEPH PETTUS FLOYD was born in Crenshaw County, Alabama (AL) on 02 Sept 1909 so says an affidavit found in his US Navy service record which was signed by Crenshaw County probate judge, W.A. Butler. Known to many as Pettus or Joe Floyd, he was youngest of 13 children born to John William "Willie" and Martha Ann Irene "Rena" (Jordan) Floyd. They married on 28 Oct 1888 in Crenshaw county, AL. Joseph's siblings were William Leon, Julia Irene, Beulah Mae, David Franklin "Frank", John Hartwell "Hart", Jackson Goodwin, Vachel Pruett, Sabra Alice, Mary Elizabeth, Lissie Ladora "Dora," "Dixie," Carter Young, and Lillie Bell Floyd. Joe graduated from Luverne high school at commencement exercises on Monday evening, 21 May 1928. To help his farm family with the ever present struggle with family economics, Joe enlisted in the Alabama National Guard's Battery D, 117 Field Artillery in Laverne, AL.

The year of 1930 began with twin tragedies with the death of the family's parents; Martha Floyd on 12 January and John on 22 January 1930. Martha had been ill for some time before she died.

In April 1930, Joe and his sister, Dora, moved in with their brother, John Hartwell Floyd. His wife, Sarah Irene (Baggett) Floyd, had died on 27 Nov 1928 presumably from complications from childbirth. She gave birth to her second child, Leah Joyce Floyd in Oct 1928. Sarah's death left John with two young daughters, Jeanette and Leah, to raise. Presumably, Joseph and Dora stayed with John to help with the young girls, and to find a home after the tragic deaths of their parents only a few months before.

Later that year, Joe decided to pursue a career in the US Navy. He filled out an application to enlist in the US Navy at the Navy Recruiting Station (NRS) in Birmingham, AL on 18 Sept 1930. He was asked on the application for his reason for enlistment. He wrote that he wanted to learn a trade. Over the next several months, Joe completed general aptitude examinations; submitted personal references, completed administrative paperwork, passed background checks and successfully passed physical and dental examinations. After he completed the requirements including obtaining an honorable discharge from the Alabama National Guard, Joe enlisted on 05 January 1931 at the NRS, Birmingham, AL, He enlisted as an Apprentice Seaman (AS) for a period of four years at the monthly pay of $21.00. His service number was 272-00-31. He listed his sister, Miss Dixie Floyd, as his next of kin.

AS Floyd transferred later that day to the Naval Training Station (NTS), Norfolk, VA for nine weeks of recruit training. He graduated on 06 Mar 1931. After completing recruit training, AS Floyd was granted 10 days of "Recruit Leave" before he returned to NTS Norfolk, VA to await orders to his first duty station. AS Floyd's first and only tour of duty during his first enlistment began on 12 May 1931 with an assignment to the light cruiser, USS Milwaukee (CL-5). Several weeks later, AS Floyd advanced in rate on 01 Jun 1931 to Seaman Second Class (S2c). On 10 Mar 1933, S2c Floyd received a commendation stating he served creditably with naval forces ashore in the earthquake area at Long Beach during the period 10-17 March 1933. The year of 1934 saw Floyd advance in rate to Seaman First Class (S1c) on 03 May 1934 and another advancement in rate to Shipfitter Third Class (SF3c) on 04 Nov 1934.

On 05 Jan 1935, Floyd transferred from Milwaukee to the US Naval Hospital (USNH), San Diego for treatment of an unspecified illness. His enlistment was to have ended on 04 Jan 1935, however, he was still ill, and could not be discharged while he was sick. That day came on 01 Feb 1935. Joe was honorably discharged from naval service by reason of expiration of his enlistment at the USNH, San Diego. He received the Good Conduct Medal and a travel allowance to Birmingham, AL (2085 miles) of $104.25. He was recommended for reenlistment.

Joe reenlisted at the Birmingham NRS on 26 Feb 1935 to serve four years. His pay was $66.00 per month, and he retained his rating as Shipfitter Third Class. He requested and was granted a delay in reporting until 27 Mar 1935. The delay to count as reenlistment leave. Floyd reported to the Receiving Station at the Naval Operating Base (NOB) Norfolk, VA on 26 Mar 1935 for general detailing.

Floyd began his second shipboard tour of duty aboard the new heavy cruiser, USS Minneapolis (CA-36) on 5 April 1935. She was just completing a yard period in the Philadelphia Navy Yard at the time. She departed on 5 April steaming for the Panama Canal and her new homeport of San Pedro, CA. She arrived on 18 Apr and joined Cruiser Division 7 (CruDiv 7), Scouting Force operating primarily along the west coast. The following year, Minneapolis crossed the equator bound southward from Panama, C., Z., to Callao, Peru. Petty Officer Floyd was duly initiated as a trusty Shellback on 25 May 1936. Floyd advanced in rating to Shipfitter Second Class (SF2c) on 16 Nov 1936.

On 20 Jun 1938, Floyd detached from Minneapolis with orders to report to the destroyer tender, USS Rigel (AD-13), based in San Diego for duty in connection with a course of instruction at the 8 week Welders School. He requested and received a delay in reporting until 0800, 26 Jun 1938. The delay to count as leave. His leave address was 738 Ohio Ave., Long Beach, CA. Floyd graduated from Rigel's Welders School with a final mark of 3.9/4.0. He qualified for electric welding all types of welds in medium steel. Pressure vessel and alloys excepted. He returned to his duties on Minneapolis the following day.

Several months after he finished school, Floyd received an honorable discharge in San Pedro, CA on 25 Nov 1938 three (3) months prior to the expiration of his enlistment for the convenience of the government. He was recommended for reenlistment, and he received another Good Conduct Medal. On 26 Nov 1938, SF2c Floyd reenlisted for four (4) years on board Minneapolis at San Pedro, CA. His pay was $79.20 per month.

In April 1939, Minneapolis steamed from San Pedro on a Caribbean cruise. It was while Minneapolis was in-port Pensacola, FL that SF2c Floyd received orders to report to Asiatic Station for duty. He transferred from Minneapolis on 12 Apr 1939 to await the transport ship, USS Henderson (AP-1). She was to be his ride across the Pacific to Manila, Philippines.

Minneapolis got underway from Pcola on 19 April sailing for Guantanamo Bay (Gitmo), Cuba. Henderson arrived at Gitmo on 22 Apr for a brief stop. Floyd, not in the correct port, missed Henderson and had to make his way to San Francisco (SF) where he caught up with her. He embarked on 16 May. She steamed from SF on 29 May arriving in Honolulu on 5 Jun. She steamed westerly from Hawaii for Manila on 07 Jun arriving at her destination and disembarking her passengers on 26 Jun. Floyd transferred to the destroyer tender, USS Black Hawk (AD-9) on 07 July 1939 for further transfer to the destroyer, USS Bulmer (DD-222).

On 18 Dec 1939, Floyd transferred from Bulmer to the USNH, Canacao, P.I. for medical treatment. It wasn't until 23 Feb 1940 that Floyd was discharged from the hospital; Lost time 67 days. Later that day, he transferred for duty to the destroyer, USS Edsall (DD-219). Six months later, SF2c Floyd qualified for advancement to Shipfitter First Class (SF1c) on 08 July 1940. However, quotas for SF1 were full. He was placed on the Commander-In-Chief, Asiatic Fleet, six month waiting list. That list would expire on 31 Dec 1940. On 16 Nov 1940, Floyd advanced in rate to SF1c.

On 19 Feb 1941, Floyd transferred from Edsall to the naval station dispensary in Olongapo, P.I., for medical treatment (Not misconduct.). On 05 Mar 1941, Floyd was discharged from the Dispensary and returned to duty on Edsall.

Prelude to War and the Disappearance of the USS Edsall (DD-219)

The threat of hostilities between the United States and Japan grew closer to the boiling point as the year 1941 began. Asiatic Fleet CINC, Admiral Thomas C. Hart, determined that it was time to send all of the families of his sailors home. There was push-back from the resentful spouses who initially declined to leave their husbands. It was only a threat to indefinitely restrict their spouses to their ships without leave that finally convinced the families; it was time to comply with orders and return to the continental United States (CONUS). Admiral Hart's directive probably saved many family members from internment by the Japanese or worse. For many of the sailors, it was the last time they would ever see their families.

In July 1941, as Japanese aggression intensified with their move south into lower Indo-China, Admiral Hart warned his officers that he had no doubt that war would come although he didn't know how or when it would start. Hart trained his destroyer crews hard keeping them on a war-footing for extended periods and away from Cavite naval base as much as possible exercising his "defensive deployment."

Ordered to comply with Adm. Hart's "defensive deployment" well south of Manila, units of the Asiatic Fleet, including destroyer tender USS Black hawk (AD-9), USS Edsall (DD-219) and other ships of Destroyer Division (DesDiv) 57, got underway on 25 Nov 1941, and arrived on the morning of 29 Nov 1941 in Balikpapan, a major oil port on the eastern coast of Borneo.

On 8 Dec 1941, Edsall, an element of Destroyer Division 57 (DESDIV), was enroute to Batavia (Djakarta) when word of the attacks on Pearl Harbor was received. The division altered course to Singapore to act as ASW screen for Force Z. From Singapore, Edsall was sent to search for survivors of HMS Prince of Wales and HMS Repulse, sunk off Malaya on 10 Dec. No survivors were found. It was learned later that other ships had retrieved the survivors.

For the next month, Edsall and other units of DESDIV 57 were used to escort shipping to and from Australia. It was on one of these escort trips that Edsall participated in the sinking of IJN submarine (I-124) off Darwin. Several days later, Edsall was damaged during another attack on a suspected submarine. One of Edsall's depth charges exploded prematurely in shallow water damaging one of her propeller shafts. This damage would play an important role in her eventual sinking.

On 3 February, Edsall and other American units of the American-British-Dutch-Australian Force (ABDA) moved up to Tjilatjap, Java in order to be closer to the combat theater and refueling facilities. She continued her service as a patrol vessel off southern Java. On 26 February, she steamed from Tjilatjap with her sister ship USS Whipple (DD-217) to rendezvous with the converted seaplane tender USS Langley (AV-3) carrying P-40E fighters and crews for the defense of Java. On 27 February, the Langley, along with Edsall and Whipple, came under attack by sixteen (16) Mitsubishi G4M "Betty" bombers of the Japanese 21st and 23rd Naval Air Flotillas and escorted by fifteen (15) A6M Reisen fighters. The attack fatally damaged Langley. She had to be abandoned and later scuttled by Whipple. Edsall rescued 177 survivors; Whipple, 308.

On 28 February, the two destroyers rendezvoused with the fuel replenishment ship USS Pecos (AO-6) off Flying Fish Cove, Christmas Island some 250 miles southwest of Tjilatjap. A sudden attack by land based Japanese bombers forced Edsall and the other ships to head for the open sea. They headed directly south into the Indian Ocean for the rest of 28 February in high winds and heavy seas.

Early in the pre-dawn hours of 1 March, Whipple and Edsall transferred all the Langley survivors to Pecos. There were now close to 700 personnel on board the ship. Whipple then set off for Cocos Islands as protection for the tanker Belita sent to meet her there. The Pecos, carrying a large number of survivors was ordered to Australia. Edsall had retained 32 USAAF personnel from Langley needed to assemble and fly an additional 27 P-40E fighters shipped to Tjilatjap aboard the transport Sea Witch. Edsall was instructed to return these "fighter crews" to Tjilatjap. At 0830, she reversed course and headed back to the northeast for Java.

At noon that day, planes from Japanese aircraft carrier Soryu attacked Pecos and struck again an hour later. Finally, in mid-afternoon, third and fourth strikes from aircraft carriers Hiryu and Akagi fatally wounded the Pecos. While under attack, Pecos radioed for help. After Pecos sank, Whipple returned to the scene intentionally arriving after dark. She eventually rescued 232 survivors.

Many other survivors, although visible to crewmembers on board Whipple, had to be abandoned at sea because Whipple made sonar contact with what was believed to be several Japanese submarines. It was just too dangerous for her to remain in the area. Edsall may have heard Pecos's call for help or she may have been complying with orders to reverse course and steam toward Australia. However, Edsall just vanished. She was not heard from again.

Carter Young Floyd, known as Young Floyd, who was Joe's brother, was named as his next of kin. He received a telegram on 19 March 1942 from Rear Admiral Randall Jacobs, chief of the Bureau of Navigation of the US Navy. It read: "The Navy Department regrets to inform you that the ship to which your brother, Joseph P. Floyd of the US Navy was attached, has been lost in action. Information received indicates there may be some survivors, but no positive information regarding your brother has been received."

For the next three years in March the Navy sent a letter to Mr Young Floyd to update the status of SF1 Floyd. In early Dec 1945, the final letter came explaining why SF1 Floyd was being declared "presumed" dead. The official date of his "presumed" death was 25 Nov 1945. The final muster report for Edsall on 01 Mar 1942 (written several years later) shows that SF1 Joseph Pettus Floyd was missing in action on 01 Mar 1942 and presumed dead on 25 Nov 1945. His remains were unrecoverable.

-------------------------

UPDATE; November 2024

Just recently, news stories have reported that the sunken remains of USS Edsall have been located deep under the sea in the Indian Ocean

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Truth Finally Told

For whatever the reason, Edsall reversed course and was never heard from again. The US Navy Department simply said Edsall was lost due to enemy action. The US Navy Department declared all Edsall crewmembers "presumed" dead on 25 Nov 1945. This finding of presumptive death date was fixed in order to take care of settlements and claims. At that point no one suspected that survivors from Edsall were among many victims of war crimes on Celebes.

Because no known survivors lived to tell the story, the details surrounding the sinking of Edsall remained largely a mystery for more than a half century. Finally, after historians compiled bits and pieces of information from various allied sources over the years, Japanese records and eyewitnesses on the Chikuma recently became available. The new information points to a short but epic battle involving the aging Edsall and one of the world's strongest naval forces of its day.

After Edsall reversed her course on 01 Mar 1942 and steamed away from Java, she stumbled upon Admiral Nagumo's battle force, Kido Butai, that had been prowling the Indian Ocean in search of enemy shipping. Unfortunately, Edsall was spotted first. She was misidentified as a light cruiser of the Marblehead class. IJN battleships Hiei and Kirishima and heavy cruisers Tone and Chikuma were detached from the battle force to attack Edsall with surface gunfire.

The old four-stacker began evasive maneuvers frustrating the Japanese for the next hour and half. However, because of the damage done previously to one of her propeller shafts, Edsall was unable to make top speed or maneuver fully. At one point Edsall turned and launched her torpedoes narrowly missing Chikuma. The Japanese fired some 1400 rounds resulting in only one or two direct hits. The frustrated Admiral Nagumo called upon his carriers to finish off the Edsall. She was attacked by dive-bombers from two Japanese carriers (Kaga, Soryu,) and possibly a third (Hiryu) before succumbing to this devastating attack. The Edsall went down at 1900 hours, 01 Mar 1942, 430 miles south of Java.

Japanese eyewitnesses confirm that at least eight Edsall crewman from a large number of survivors were fished out of the water and brought on board the Chikuma. The rest of the survivors were left to their fate in the water. Chikuma and the rest of the battle force arrived at Staring Bay anchorage, Celebes on 11 Mar 1942. Three dozen POWs, 8 or more from the Edsall and the remainder from a Dutch ship, were turned over to the Japanese Special Naval Landing Forces based at Kendari where they were executed on 24 Mar 1942 near Kendari II airfield.

After WWII ended, an Allied War Crimes Tribunal was convened in Java. During the course of the Tribunal's investigations, an eyewitness to Japanese executions was discovered and interviewed. He testified that he witnessed the execution by the Japanese of a number of POWs in 1942. He led investigators to the Japanese Execution Grounds mass grave, Kendari II, Celebes, N.E.I. Five sets of remains in a group of about 10 were later identified from ID tags as USS Edsall crewmen. The other five were unknown but were possibly US Army Air force personnel on board Edsall from the Langley. A sixth set of remains were found in another burying ground on Celebes. They were identified by an ID tag as those of Fireman Second Class (F2) Loren Stanford Myers, a crewman from the Edsall.

All of these remains were disinterred and reburied in the US Military Cemetery, Barrackpore, India on 12 Nov 1946. After three years, their remains were disinterred again and reburied in a mass grave at the National cemetery at Jefferson Barracks, St. Louis, MO on 20 Dec 1949. The remains of F2 Myers were reinterred according to immediate family wishes in the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific in Honolulu, HI on 31 Mar 1950. With the discovery of these remains, their presumed date of death was amended to 02 Mar 1942.

--------------------------

U.S. National Cemetery Interment Control Forms, 1928-1962 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2012, MM2 J.R. Cameron, USN, died 2 Mar 1942 overseas. Remains returned from overseas WWII. Group burial with MM1 Horace W. Andrus, F1c Sydney Griffith Amory, MM3c Larry Vandiver, and F1c Donald F. Watters at Jefferson Barracks. MO on 20 Dec 1949.

-----------------------------

Citation of Units of Both Military and Naval Forces of the United States and Philippine Governments.

--489--

As authorized by Executive Order No. 9075 (sec. II, Bull. 11, W.D., 1942), a citation in the name of the President of the United States, as public evidence of deserved honor and distinction, is awarded to all units of both military and naval forces of the United States and Philippine Governments engaged in the defense of the Philippines since December 7, 1941. (Later, it was called the Army Presidential Unit Citation).

By order of the Secretary of War:

G. C. MARSHALL,

Chief of Staff.

------------------------------

Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation

Establishing Authority:

The Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation was established by Headquarters, Philippine National Defense Forces, General Order Number 532 of September 14, 1946, as amended.

Acceptance by the United States:

For service during World War II, acceptance is sanctioned by Public Law 80-314, which authorized the acceptance and wear of foreign decoration, medals, and awards in connection with services in World War II between the inclusive dates of December 7, 1941 and July 24, 1948.

Effective Dates:

The Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation has been in effect since September 14, 1946.

Criteria:

The Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation is awarded for extraordinarily meritorious service. The Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation has been awarded to United States military personnel who participated in the following:

• World War II

Service in the defense of the Philippines from December 7, 1941 to May 10, 1942.

Service in the liberation of the Philippines from October 17, 1944 to July 4, 1945.

All U.S. military units and naval vessels that earned any of the Philippine engagement stars are entitled to the Philippine Republic Presidential Unit Citation.

Certain submarines which maintained physical contact with guerrilla forces during the Japanese occupation of the Philippine Islands.

Online: https://rollofhonor.org/public/htmldetails.aspx?Cat=foreignaward&EntID=352

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The following information was posted in Floyd's navy service record:

While serving aboard the USS Edsall (DD-219), participated in the following operation for which engagement stars are authorized on the Asiatic-Pacific Area Service Ribbon:

08 Dec 41 to 01 Mar 42: Philippine Islands Operation (Including other concurrent Asiatic Fleet Operations.)

20 Jan 42: Antisubmarine assessments

------------------------

Medals and Ribbons.

SF1c Joseph Pettus Floyd was awarded three Good Conduct Medals (one medal and two bronze stars) during his navy career. He was posthumously awarded (or should have been) the Purple Heart Medal, China Service Medal, American Defense Service Medal with Fleet Clasp, Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two bronze stars, US Navy Combat Action Ribbon, Philippine Defense Medal with clasp, US Army Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Philippines Presidential Unit Citation and WWII Victory Medal.

-------------------------------

A commemoration from President Harry S. Truman in honor of SF1c Floyd's service reads:

In Grateful Memory of Joseph Pettus Floyd, Who Died In The Service Of His Country At Sea, Asiatic Area, attached U.S.S. Edsall, 25 November 1945 (presumed). He stands in the unbroken line of patriots who have dared to die that freedom might live, and grow, and increase its blessings. Freedom lives, and through it, he lives – in a way that humbles the undertakings of most men.

Signed,

Harry Truman

President of the United States of America

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Letter for Joseph P. Floyd from his ex-fiancee, Gertrude Bouchey

August 9, 1942

1463 Angelus, Ave.,

Los Angeles, Calif.

Dear Joseph;

I just recently learned that you are on the U.S.S. EDSALL. I wrote to you months ago but received no answer, but I haven't given up hope yet. I only pray that you are safe somewhere in this whole wide world, that you will get this letter of mine and find time to answer it.

I was down in Long Beach at home over the week-end and when I was talking to my sister HELEN she reminded me that you were on the Edsall when last heard from and that it has since been sunk. You can image how I felt when I heard that and realized that you may still have been on the same ship when it was torpedoed.

J.P., it has been years since we have written to each other, but I am sure you remember me after all the years of our acquaintance and engagement. Of coarse (sic) things didn't turn out as we had planned, but I hope I still have your friendship?

If you are wll (sic) and safe, which I pray to God is the case, please do me the kindness to answer this letter and let me know. The family all send you their very best regards, and hopes for your safe return. I too wish only the best for you and have the greatest hope of hearing from you soon.

As Ever, Yours;

Lovingly,

//signed//

Gertrude

''''''''''''''''''''

The envelope, unsealed, was addressed to Mr Joseph Petus Floyd % Bureau of Naval Personel (sic), Washington D.C. It was post marked Oct 21 1942 in Los Angeles, CA. The return address was Miss Gertrude Bouchey, 1463 Angelus Ave., Los Angeles, CA. The Navy Bureau mail-room marked the envelope, "Return to Sender." When the letter went back to Los Angeles the Postmaster there returned the letter to the Chief Mail Room, Navy Department, Washington, D.C. He requested on behalf of the mailer that she be informed as to the reason for failure of the letter to be delivered. "Will you please endeavor to obtain this information and advise" he wrote. Signed V.C. Burke, Postmaster. Inside this envelope was a note from Miss Bouchey dated 20 Nov 1942 that asks the navy department to forward the letter to Mr. Floyd if possible. "Also answer by returning this card to me if he can still be reached by mail," she wrote. "Letter which I have left unsealed explains itself. Thank you in advance, and hoping for the best. I am, sincerely yours. Miss G. Bouchey (signed)" The letter finally reached the right people in the Bureau of Naval Personnel in Washington, D.C. who wrote to Gertrude in a letter dated 16 Dec 1942. It said,

Miss Gertrude Bouchey,

1463 Angelus Avenue, Los Angeles, Calif.

"Subject: FLOYD, Joseph Pettus, Shipfitter first class, USN."

"My dear Miss Bouchey:

This Bureau is in receipt of a communication from the United States Post Office, Washington, D.C. It is requested that you be furnished the reason for the return of your letter addressed to Joseph Pettus Floyd, Shipfitter, first class, United States Navy.

It is with deepest regret that the Bureau must inform you that FLOYD has been reported "missing' as a result of his ship, the U.S.S. EDSALL being lost by enemy action on March 1st, 1942.

Your anxiety is deeply appreciated and any further information received concerning the fate of FLOYD will be promptly communicated to his brother, Young Floyd, Route #2, Troy, Alabama.

Sincerely yours,

Not signed

Randall Jacobs

Rear Admiral, U.S. Navy

Chief of Naval Personnel"

by direction

'''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''''

Primary Sources:

1) Floyd, Joseph Pettus, Shipfitter First Class, US Navy Service Record, The National Personnel Records Center, Military Personnel Records (NPRC-MPR), St Louis, MO. 11 Nov 2024. (122 pages)

2) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., In the Highest Degree Tragic, The Sacrifice of the U.S. Asiatic Fleet in the East Indies During World War II, Potomac Books, 2017.

3) Cox, Jeffery R., Rising Sun, Falling Skies, Osprey Publishing, UK, 2015.

4) Wikipedia page, USS Edsall (DD-219), Retrieved 12 November 2021.

5) Kehn, Donald M. Jr., A Blue Sea of Blood: deciphering the mysterious fate of the USS EDSALL, Zenith Press, 2008.

6) Fold3 by Ancestry, Navy Muster and Change reports

7) Ancestry.com Navy WWII muster and Change reports

8) Winslow, W.G. The Fleet the Gods Forgot: The United States Asiatic Fleet in World War II, Naval Institute Press, 1982.

9) Ancestry.com Navy WWII Quarterly Muster Reports.

10) Courtesy Dave McComb, Destroyer History Foundation, USS Edsall DD 219, https://destroyerhistory.org/flushdeck/ussedsall/index.asp?r=210&pid=21900

11) Courtesy Dave McComb, Destroyer History Foundation, USS Edsall DD 219, https://destroyerhistory.org/flushdeck/ussedsall/index.asp?r=210&pid=21900.

12) Newspapers.com, Multiple Newspaper Articles

13) Ancestry.com Family Trees

14) American Battle Monuments Commission - abmc.gov Burials and Memorials

--------------------------------

Bio #319 originally compiled on 16 July 2021 and updated on 21 Nov 2024 by Gerry Lawton, (G47)

Military Hall of Honor#136608

Find A Grave memorial page#56775610



Honoree ID: 136608   Created by: MHOH

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