USS SIGSBEE DD-502

(Port View: Painting courtesy Wayne Scarpaci, artbywayne.com 2009. Commissioned, accepted and purchased by Billy Roberts)

(Starboard View: Painting courtesy Peter K Hsu, Naval Artist, 2002)

KAMIKAZE SURVIVORS

OF W.W.II

In Desron 25
1943  TO  1945

 USS Sigsbee Deck Log Excerpts after kamikaze hit April 14, 1945    decklogexcerpts

USS SIGSBEE Guest Book April 2000 to present

    Wikipedia: USS SIGSBEE DD-502

E-mail: uss.sigsbee.dd502@gmail.com

(New Guest Book postings by E-mail only)

[FOR ENHANCED VIEWING MAXIMIZE SCREEN & SLOWLY SCROLL TO UNDERLINED LINKS ]

  "CONTRIBUTORS" TO THIS WEB SITE:       contrib.html  

"The Lighthouse"

TO SEARCH THIS WEB SITE, 1. type "ctrl F",  2. in search window above, type a word ie; dunbar 3. click next 4. view the link

  NEWS

April 14, 1945 The WWII Destroyer, USS SIGSBEE DD502 was struck by a Kamikaze plane, aft of Gun #5, Fifty miles off Okinawa. Twenty two brave souls were lost or KIA, another died at Guam in May 1945. Many crewmen were injured. Following is a recent note from Myra and Jerry Schatz:

To our beloved SIGSBEE family. I am writing a few days early. To our shipmates past and present, and to the families who are still with us, we send our love and a reminder that WE WILL NEVER FORGET.

 Our love to you all, as always     Myra and Jerry Schatz 

USS SIGSBEE DD502  DECK LOG JAN 23 1943

Drawing by Mr. Peter Hsu, a great friend to the Sigsbee Family. For the first time since 1988 the ship did not have a reunion. Mr. Hsu none-the-less offered up this drawing in memory of Cmdr. Chung-Hoon, the USS SIGSBEE DD-502, and the ships bell which found it's way to the 2009 reunion. Thank You Peter from the Sigsbee sailors and family members.

(Text posting from John Mastin's web site. Drawing sent to me by Marvin Green December 12, 2011; Billy Roberts)  

REMEMBER PEARL HARBOR DECEMBER 7, 1941

    BOSTON GLOBE DECEMBER 7, 2010

     WORLD WAR TWO    

VICTORY IN THE PACIFIC

August 14, 2011 will mark 66 years and one day since WWII Victory in the Pacific

The term has been applied to both the day on which the initial announcement of Japan's surrender was made in the afternoon of August 15, 1945, in Japan, and because of time zone differences, to August 14, 1945, (when it was announced in the United States, Western Europe, the Americas, the Pacific Islands, and Australia/New Zealand), as well as to September 2, 1945, when the signing of the surrender document occurred on the USS MISSOURI. (wikipedia)

Webmaster's Note: I was on a troop ship built in 1912, from Honolulu, TH to Seattle, WA, August 7, 1945 to August 18, 1945. There were two hundred Japanese POW's in the living compartment aft of our's. I believe they were to be interred in Oregon, USA. One of my Sigsbee shipmates on that voyage was John Malinowski, CM2c. I didn't hear the war was over until we docked at Seattle. August 26, 1945 Malinowski and I were on an east bound train bound for Chicago and points east and south. My home town was Dunbar, WV. . . Billy Roberts

*    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *    *

    V-J DAY AT PEARL HARBOR - BY WILLIAM H SUTER

The Destroyer . . . . . . USS SIGSBEE DD-502 was commissioned at the Navy Yard at Brooklyn, New York January 23, 1943.  CDR B. V. Russell U.S.N. assumed command. The next eighteen days were spent preparing the ship for sea. Ammunition was taken aboard, the ship was depermed, compasses and range finders calibrated, speed runs held, backing tests held, supplies loaded as well as a host of other trials and adjustments that were necessary before a modern destroyer was ready to put to sea under wartime conditions. . . . .commissioning_crew_and_officers 

The ship then departed for Casco Bay, Maine for shakedown training. This exercise lasted ten days, during which time the ship and crew were put through gunnery practice, torpedo practice and the like to familiarize them with her capabilities.

February 26,1943 SIGSBEE arrived Guantanamo Bay, Cuba and underwent another period of training which lasted two weeks. March 12, 1943, the ship departed Guantanamo Bay for New York, arriving March 16, 1943. During passage she acted as shadow for a convoy traveling the east coast the night of March 12 - 13. Upon arrival New York she was moored at Navy Yard, Brooklyn, for a period of two weeks, post shakedown overhaul. . . . . . .

(Excerpt from Lyle Buss’ “A HISTORY OF THE USS SIGSBEE DD-502”)

COMM GUEST

 LAUNCHING AND COMMISSIONING OF USS SIGSBEE DD-502

F(From John Mastin Web Site)

 THE DD 502 WORLD WAR II HONOR ROLL

(FROM AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION SITE)

  Remembering those who were lost on the USS SIGSBEE DD-502

(From John Mastin Web Site)

 USS NORMAN SCOTT DD-690 MEMORIAL  

JOHN MASTIN'S SALUTE TO LT. HARRY J. ISETT AS OLDEST SURVIVING USS SIGSBEE DD-502 OFFICER. (LT. Isett passed away March 4, 2009)

SALUTE TO LT ISETT

 CHANGE OF COMMAND ON USS CHUNG-HOON DDG 93 OCTOBER 15, 2008.

   USS SIGSBEE VETERANS MEET NEW COMMANDING OFFICER, CDR MICHAEL A MCCARTNEY

More DD-502 photos from USS Miami April 14. 1945 (Linked from John Mastin Web Site)   

DD502photos

      ONE MANS VIEW -  A TRIBUTE TO LT THOMAS R WESCHLER 

USS Chung-Hoon honors the USS Sigsbee's KIA's with a Memorial Service and Wreath Laying Ceremony.

(Courtesy John Mastin's web site)

L

USS SIGSBEE ACTION REPORTS W.W.II

(Linked from John Mastin's Web Site)

 USS SIGSBEE model built by Lt. Gene Myer, DD-500 veteran

(Linked from John Mastin's Web Site)

USS SIGSBEE SAILORS ON EMPIRE STATE BUILDING SPRING OF 1943  

Looking for relatives of Lost Sailors on USS Sigsbee DD502

(Killed in action or Lost at sea)

April 1943 Photo of USS Sigsbee officers at Trinidad, BWI.

Donated by Mr. Andrew Bitner grandson of  Lt.Clyde Ferguson March 28th, 2004

(Courtesy John Mastin).

 LARGEST ASSEMBLAGE OF NAVAL POWER TG 58.1 WWII

Largestfleet.jpg

Noon Position: 25 - 56 N   127 - 50 E   March 24, 1945

ALL HANDS  REMEMBER

DECEMBER 7, 1941,  

APRIL 14, 1945

And SEPTEMBER 11, 2001

GOD BLESS AMERICA

LEAD US NOT INTO TEMPTATION

BUT DELIVER US FROM EVIL

USS SIGSBEE DD-502                      OUR  MEMORIAL TO THOSE LOST  IN THE LINE OF DUTY          DURING THE APRIL 14, 1945 KAMIKAZE ATTACKS OFF OKINAWA

 THE DD 502 WORLD WAR II HONOR ROLL

(FROM AMERICAN BATTLE MONUMENTS COMMISSION SITE)

They gave their lives APRIL 14, 1945 aboard the USS Sigsbee in defense of our Nation.

Burton J. Adams S1/c ***** Guy V. Amburgey MM2/c ***** Clayton R. Bryant SF1/c

Robert L. Cheety Cox *****Carleton C. Cox Jr. F1/c ***** Joseph W. Freeman Jr. BM2/c

Callis C. Gwynn S2/c ***** Joe Hagston S1/c ***** Lt. jg George G. Hart

Joseph L. Heflin S1/c ***** Edwin C. Hoover F1/c ***** William O. Hudson S2/c

Gerard P. Keller S2/c ***** Sterling J. LeBlanc SC3/c ***** Ensign Dick M. Lykes

Edwin F. McGraw MM3/c ***** Earnest P. Mellum M3/c ***** Sherman L. Millirans F1/c

Lawrence E. Mueller EM2/c ***** Clair E. Musser S2/c ***** Anthony D. Sox S1/c

Robert F. Wright S2/c ***** Rogers B. Young F1/c

*****

Meyer H. Shapiro F1/c ***** was lost at sea July 25, 1943 as the USS Sigsbee and

three other war ships sailed from Norfolk Virginia to the Panama Canal.

"Mark the perfect man, and behold the upright: for the end of that man is peace"

USS SIGSBEE SHIPMATES OBITUARY ARCHIVES

USS SIGSBEE DD-502 PURPLE HEART AWARDS BY CO, JUNE 6,1945

MY 30 MONTHS ON THE USS SIGSBEE DD-502

DESRON 25 - DESDIV 50

BY: WILLIAM K ROBERTS II

My Story

Battle Action  Reports  I, II and III

COMMENDATIONS AWARDED TO OFFICERS AND CREW OF USS SIGSBEE

CAMPAIGN RIBBONS & BATTLE STARS EARNED BY USS SIGSBEE

 PHOTO ALBUMS      

                      SIGSBEE502 PHOTOS

   SIGSBEEJM PHOTOS

Desron 25 Louisville KY 2005 Photos

  VINCENT PALMIERI PHOTOS

Photos courtesy John Mastin, Billy Roberts, Jack Brennen & others

Desron 25 photos by John Chiquoine, Dave Schroeder, Richard Weston & others

            USS SIGSBEE CREW FROM ADMINISTRATIVE LOG AND MUSTER ROLLS      

COMMISSIONING CREW JANUARY 1943	comcrewJanuary1943
AFTER COMMISSIONING 1943 CREW	43CrewafterCommissioning
1944-45 OFFICERS & CREW	4445CrewMembers
COMMISSIONER & DECOMMISSONER	EdwardRHorrigan

GUEST BOOK

IF YOU ARE SEARCHING FOR INFORMATION ABOUT A RELATIVE OR FRIEND WHO SERVED ABOARD THE USS SIGSBEE DURING WWII LIST HIS NAME IN THE GUEST BOOK ABOVE FOR ANSWERS:

YOU MAY ALSO POST SIGSBEE VETERAN'S HEALTH & WELFARE INFORMATION

IN THE GUEST BOOK:

USS CHUNG-HOON DDG-93U

                               ../billykrsigsbee502  USS Chung-Hoon Keel Laying and Christening

This new, Aegis Guided Missile Destroyer built in Pascagoula, MS was named in Honor of Gordon P. Chung-Hoon  Commanding Officer of the W.W.II Destroyer USS Sigsbee DD-502.  The USS Chung-Hoon DDG 93 Keel was Laid January 14, 2002.  The ship was Christened January 11, 2003 at Pascagoula, MS and Commissioned September 18, 2004 at Pearl Harbor, HI.

USS Chung-HOON Commissioning (Linked to John Mastin Site)

Perry White Family Brunch

   PARTIAL LIST OF US DESTROYERS SUNK OR  

DAMAGED BY KAMIKAZE AIRCRAFT

NEAR OKINAWA IN 1945:

LIST

DICTIONARY OF AMERICAN NAVAL FIGHTING SHIPS

(The History of every Fighting ship of the US Navy)

DANFS

For detailed information on ALL Naval loses in the Western Pacific Area see "US Naval Chronology of WW II (1945)," listed under General Interest on the Navsource link below:

                                              NavSource Main Page

Places visited by the USS Sigsbee DD 502 during my Cruise aboard:

            places.html

USS MIAMI CL 89 

USS MUNSEE AT-107 (OWNER ALAN MOORE, NAFTS)

0640 HOURS APRIL 15, 1945

KAMIKAZE DAMAGED USS SIGSBEE  

IN FLOATING DRYDOCK AT GUAM APRIL 1945

CREWMEN ON MAIN DECK  (at gun #5  carriage) LEFT TO RIGHT: CECIL LEAKE,

CHIEF GUNNERS MATE TOMLINSON, GERALD MCDERMOTT.

LOWER DECK LEFT TO RIGHT: ROBERT HOPPLE (hand on hip),

WILLIAM ROBERTS (head protruding from ammo hold),

GEORGE DONES,  LT jg DORN (white shirt), HARRY SCOVILLE (facing right)

(ROBERTS WAS IN 20MM AMMUNITION HOLD PASSING CASES OF 20MM AMMO UP TO

GUNNERS MATES HOPPLE AND DONES)

OTHER LINKS TO DESTROYER SITES & WEB PAGES

HOW TO IDENTIFY USS SIGSBEE DD-502 SHIP PHOTOS BY DATE

1. FANTAIL 40 MM GUN REPLACED WITH 3 - 20 MMs FEB 1943
2. AMERICAN FLAG WAS DISPLAYED ON NO. 2 STACK FROM JAN 1943 TO JUNE 1945
3. THE NUMBER 2 ON NO. 1 STACK WAS PLACED THERE AFTER JUNE 1945
4. TWIN 40 MM GUNS 43 AND 44 WERE MODIFIED TO QUAD MOUNTS IN JUNE, JULY 1945 AT PEARL HARBOR

USS SIGSBEE DD-502 IN MOTHBALL FLEET (1950s)

USS SIGSBEE IN MOTHBALL FLEET

(Photos courtesy William E Hidler, S1c )

  ***** REUNIONS *****

 USS SIGSBEE'S early reunions 1988', 89', 90', 92' and 1994..........view names of those in attendance.

   USS SIGSBEE DD-502

 WEST COAST 2005

   DESRON 25  "BULL SESSION"   

LOUISVILLE, KY

July 26 - 28, 2005

A huge success! Click anchor for John Mastin's Review

Desron 25 Review

PHOTOS OF SIGSBEE502,  HARRISON573

& DESRON25 VETERANS

       JUNE 2003 REUNION AT RENO, NV

reno.htm 

NEWSLETTER & PHOTO OF SIGSBEE502

       LAS VEGAS JUNE 2002 REUNION

              LV2002.htm

Sigsbee Veterans at The Sacramento 2001 Reunion

 PHOTO

Standing: R. Dewey, L. Fessler, G. Marchand, B. Roberts, H. Elizagaray

Sitting: ( *Aubrey Harris "dubbed in")  W. Burke, P. Huber, D. Mac Phearson

*Aubry Harris was unable to attend so ..... Billy Roberts, John Mastin & their wives

visited Aubrey at his  near-by home in Sacramento at the conclusion of the reunion

OTHER CREW LINKS + HAM RADIO CALL SIGNS

OLD TIME FIDDLERS

PERSONAL LINKS

THIS USS SIGSBEE DD-502 SITE IS MAINTAINED

BY WEBMASTERS

BILLY & EDY ROBERTS

SINCE OCTOBER 26, 1998