George E. Conlon, August 24, 1942, strafing during Battle of the Eastern Solomons
September 15, 1942, torpedo hit, bow port side
Albert Speers Geary (washed overboard)
Oscar Callaway Stone
Ingwald Nels Nelson
William Osborne Skelton
Leonard Edward Pone
The torpedo attack victims were buried in the Army Cemetery on the island of Tongatabu.
Kingfisher recovery accident, April 6, 1945: Eldon Emmet Means
Friendly Fire, April 6, 1945, hit on director #5, port side.
Edward Emil Brenn
John Malcolm Watson
Carl Elmer Karam Jr.
They were buried at sea.
Crew Who Died in the Line of Duty
Robert Alexander Nelson, June 5, 1943, Noumea, accidental firing of aircraft machine gun
Thurman Thompson, March 7, 1942. Died of a skull fracture when struck by a shell handling tong which carried away while being hoisted up the track of aft #3 barbette, knocking him from the 2nd deck to the 2nd platform.
Other Deaths
Millard Rae Nieman, February 15, 1944. Died from septicemia and buried at sea.
Frank Merck, died in an accident onshore (Noted in Tarheel 3/7/42)
Henry Julian Kobierski, September 27, 1943. Found dead in his bunk. Coronary artery disease
Norman Gilliam, March 19, 1944. Drowned while on a recreation party.
Earl Julian Winthrop, January 22, 1945. Transfer from the Ticonderoga and he was buried at sea.
Chaplains Redman and Klass conducted burial at sea services for the men killed in the friendly fire. Redman prayed “Heavenly Father. Today we committed to the deep three of our shipmates who gave their lives so that others may live. We are particularly mindful at this time of their loved ones at home. Sustain them in their sorrow. Help them to understand that those they love gave their lives for their protection and care. Be with all the officers & men in this ship. Give all of us heart and mind to serve thee & country willingly and faithfully. We pray in Christ’s name who died for us and all mankind. Amen.”
Men also died by accident and sickness while serving on the Battleship. In March 1944, Norman Gilliam, StM2c, died by drowning while on a recreation outing. Chaplain Wuebbens wrote Gilliam’s Father, as ship’s chaplain it was my task to give him a Christian burial with full military honors in a United States Cemetery, U.S. Navy 3234. Norman was laid to rest in grave no. 19, which will be marked with a white cross and a bronze marker bearing his name. This cemetery was established only recently, but even now it gives promise of becoming a dignified and peaceful resting place for officers and enlisted men alike who have lost their lives while in the service of our country.