USS Patterson (DD392) Reunion Project
[UPDATE: Project finished with commentary and link to all the photos]
I really do not need any new projects. However, in my effort to preserve the history of the USS Patterson (DD392), I decided to scan and post photos of the ship’s reunions from the first one in 1979 through the early 1990s. All photos are from my Father-in-Law’s album: Erwin A. Schroder.
There were some reunions after the dates for which I have pictures, including a reunion held in Australia in honor of the 400+ survivors that the Patterson rescued from the sinking HMAS Canberra at the Battle of Savo Island during which 10 Patterson crew were killed. The Patterson crew and their families were included in Sydney’s ANZAC Day parade that year. The Pat is still revered in Australia for her rescue so many decades ago.
My hope is that by posting pictures and as many identifications of attendees as I can, others doing genealogical research might be assisted in finding nuggets of their family history.
Few photos exist from the first Patterson reunion in 1979 held in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Here is a group photo of the attendees and a picture of the cake made for the occasion (Erwin is third from the right in the group photo). Larger numbers of crewmen attended subsequent reunions when they became better publicized.
First USS Patterson (DD392) Crew reunion, 1979, Grand Rapids, Michigan
Cake for first USS Patterson Reunion
Also of note are some pictures from the 1986 reunion held in Philadelphia. Crewman and their families visited the newest version of the USS Patterson (FF1061).
Marie Schroder on the deck of the USS Patterson (FF1061) at 1986 Patterson (DD392) Reunion
1986 Patterson (DD392) Reunion – Visiting the USS Patterson (FF1061)
1986 Patterson (DD392) Reunion – Visiting the USS Patterson (FF1061)
1986 Patterson (DD392) Reunion – Visiting the USS Patterson (FF1061)
Did you know my Dad
William Brangan Jr
Greetings, Doug!
My father-in-law, Erwin Schroder, may have known your father. Erwin came aboard the Patterson a little over a year before you father arrived. From what I can tell, your father came aboard on 9/23/44 as a S2c. Muster rolls indicate that your father was on the Patterson until decommissioning in late ’45. During his time on the Pat, he had a change in rating to S1c. My father-in-law was an officer who finished up his time on the Patterson as its first lieutenant. If your father was on the deck crew, he would have likely known Erwin.
Dave
Eynon,
Many thanks for your reply
What you have told me is the sum total of what I know about my father except I have seen his name on the ship’s crew roster years ago, as well as a payroll list.
I really appreciate your reply
Sincerely,
Doug Brangan
Eynon,
Many thanks for your reply
What you have told me is the sum total of what I know about my father except I have seen his name on the ship’s crew roster years ago, as well as a payroll list.
I really appreciate your reply
Sincerely,
Doug Brangan
You are welcome, Doug! Do you have a copy of your father’s DD-214?
I did not find much more on my searches for your father’s records. He showed up on all the Patterson Muster Rolls from the time he came aboard until decommissioning. I sent Navsource a photo of the crew in NYC at the decommissioning party. If you have not seen it, here is a link. http://www.navsource.org/archives/05/pix2/0539231.jpg
Dave
Hi Dave
I have nothing at all
I checked the link you sent and was surprised at the resolution, I was able to blow the photo up and have checked every face with a magnifying glass. Nope, nothing familial. My father didn’t sound the type to attend a function.
OK… this was just another burst of many trying to come up with something.
Many thanks for your interest and kind assistance,
Sincerely
Doug B
As a next of kin of a deceased veteran, you can get a copy of your father’s DD-214 that will tell you information such as enlistment/release dates, ratings, and awards that he is entitled to. His awards would certainly include the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign medal and WWII Victory Medal and possibly others. He would likely have at least 4 campaign stars on the A-P ribbon because he was on board the Pat during the Western Caroline Operation, Leyte Operation, Luzon Operation, Iwo Jima Operation, Okinowa Operation, although that would have to be verified by the DD-214. eVets has a form to fill out to get the document. It requires proof of death of the veteran (copy of death certificate would work). See this LINK. Having his service number would be useful for the Archives. If you are interesting in pursuing this, I can provide that number.
Dave
Hi Dave
Many thanks for your latest link which I will pursue.
After that I think it’s time to close this search. I know there were battle ribbons but like photos and the stories he might have told it’s gone.
I am genuinely surprised at amount of interest you have shown which I appreciate so much.
Many Thanks,
Doug B
My dads best friends dad served abord the USS Patterson DD-392 his name was Leroy Edwards Had 6 Bronz stars 1 Purple heart. From what i know is something happened to ship been many years ago when he told story but boiler room was on fire engines were out several guys rushed in to get men out some got out then him and another sailor got rest out while Leroy got engines back on line burning the bottom of his feet badly also passed out and was rescued.Also told a story when the patterson and their sister ship guarded the Ben franklin and it was kamikazied one managed to hit the ship the other flew over leroy was on 20mm he said the only jap he ever had respect for pilot of the plane flipped them the bird as he flew over and hit the water. Wish he was still here thanks
I did a little research on Mr. Edwards. He came aboard the Patterson on Christmas Eve, 1943 as a Fireman3c. He quickly had a rate change to F2c on 1/1/44. He must have been very close to promotion when he came aboard. By July, 1945 he was a Machinest Mate 3c on the Patterson. He rode the Patterson back home for decommissioning and was transferred off of her on November 8, 1945. He then spent a very short time on the USS Kingsbury (APA 177) in 1946 and then the USS Eastland (APA 153) as a MM2c. The Patterson was indeed involved in the action that led to the Franklin being hit by Kamikaze planes. The Belleau Wood was also hit and the Patterson picked up 12 of her survivors from the sea. Some were badly burned and at least one died. According to the Patterson’s War Diary, her position kept her from taking the planes under fire, but there was plenty of metal being thrown up by the very large Task Group 38.4.
Dave
Dave this is Aaron Heitzler I thank you for looking this up Im astonished .Sadly his son my fathers best friend died IN dec 2020 never saw this till now he was in veitnam in marines helicoptor unit hmm-162 ch 46 squadron dec 67 to dec 68 died only family member still alive is leroy sister daisy i will share this with her jack looking at this hes always here with me and dad also their up their with leroy he was my hero thanks Sincerely Aaron Scott Heitzler
Dave this is Aaron Heitzler I thank you for looking this up Im astonished .Sadly his son my fathers best friend died IN dec 2020 never saw this till now he was in veitnam in marines helicoptor unit hmm-162 ch 46 squadron dec 67 to dec 68 died only family member still alive is leroy sister daisy i will share this with her jack looking at this hes always here with me and dad also their up their with leroy he was my hero thanks Sincerely Aaron Scott Heitzler
he did mention the belleau wood was hit and he was on of the men helping get men up a net thrown off side of ship and crew were positioned on net handing the men up abord ship. One of men he handed up to another sailor to get abord ship burned badly and his muscle on arm came off in leroy hand and he put muscle in shirt pocket helped out till all on bord climed up net ran to medic cause he saw the man that he had lost muscle in leroy hand and medic said its bad it wont matter hs diying as we speak due to being burnt so bad it messed with leroy bad jack said their were alot of stories like unscrewing detonator on tropedo and getting grain alchol out of it to get drunk that ended when the navy caught on and put some type of oil in with grain alchol crots oil maby but those men were a breed of their own miss him alot thanks sincerely Aaron scott heitzler
Greetings, Aaron! I am sorry for your loss. I am currently spending time immersed in the stories of WWII sailors’ experiences onboard their ships. Their stories range from terrifying to hilarious. It’s difficult to imagine their experiences, but they all did their duty and very few spoke much about it after the war. We owe them a huge debt.
Dave
HI Dave happy thanksgiving to you and your family another thing i remember the Purple heart Leroy turned Down to stay abord the Patterson .Remember like it was yesterday this was in 86 and we were at my dads friend house Leroy was their and my dad bought me the time life collection of the airplane books one was the carrier wars .Victory at sea was on every friday evening dad had told me to bring that book to show Leroy and that where in book saw the benfranklin being Kamikizied Leroy always said hed wanted to walk down the streets of tokyo cause they said their never be a tin can sailor walk down streets of tokyo he hated the japs with a passion.Like you say very few spoke about it was blessed that had a priceless relation ship with Leroy and his son Jack both heros we owe them a huge debt than we could ever imagin all of them you take care thank you again for the info sincerely Aaron Heitzler
Dear Dave,
Do you have any information on my father, Russell V. Olson? He was a Chief Gunner’s Mate on the Patterson during the Battle of Savo Island.
He had been on the West Virginia at Pearl Harbor.
Blessings, Russ.
Greetings, Russ!
A quick search found your father sailing as a passenger from San Pedro to Pearl Harbor in July of 1940 as a gunner’s mate 1c. I see many references to his service on West Virginia. I could detail that a bit more with some time. His transfer to Patterson was official as of 12/9/41. Do you have copies of the “Shipmates and Memories” book that was compiled by Leroy Bergstrom? He offered copies to Patterson crew at reunions. I had my father-in-law’s copies hard bound and donated them to the US Navy Library in Washington, but before doing that, I had them digitized. I would be happy to make a copy available if you do not have it. I found in one volume a reference to your father regarding him being worthy of commendation as a result of his actions at Savo Island. It reads as follows:
Do you have a copy of his discharge papers (DD 214)? They would indicate whether he eventually received an “official” award for his actions.
Anyway, that’s just a few things I found in a quick search. Let me know if I can be of further assistance.
Dave