The ship’s last known survivor is turning 97 on November 9. He’s hoping to get 97 birthday cards. You can send him one at
Adred Lenoir
1750 County Road 461
Clanton, AL 35046
Name |
State |
Rating on Ship |
Jackson D. Bishop |
Wisconsin |
Electricians Mate Second Class |
Anthony J. Blaszczyk |
Connecticut |
Chief Yeoman |
Sam Blue |
Florida |
Seaman First Class |
William Branham |
Florida |
Seaman First Class |
George Bray |
Alabama |
Seaman Second Class |
Robert R. Brennan |
Pennsylvania |
Radioman Third Class |
Orban “Ray” Chambless |
Oklahoma |
Signalman First Class |
James F. “Bud” Comet |
Washington |
Seaman First Class |
Peter Cooley |
Michigan |
Sonarman Second Class |
Oliver E. Coyle |
South Carolina |
Seaman First Class |
Herbert E. Eskins |
Illinois |
Seaman First Class |
Elbert Gentry |
North Carolina |
Quartermaster Third Class |
Vincent N. Goodrich |
Pennsylvania |
Sonarman Third Class |
Louis A. Gould |
Virginia |
Sonarman Third Class |
James S. Graves |
Alabama |
Seaman First Class |
James W. Griggs |
California |
Sonarman Third Class |
Robert M. “Mel” Harden |
Maryland |
Seaman Second Class |
John E. “Red” Harrington |
Maryland |
Boatswains Mate First Class |
Adolph Herrera |
Arizona |
Seaman First Class |
E. Glenn Huffman |
Arkansas |
Seaman First Class |
William Katsur |
Pennsylvania |
Fireman First Class |
Adred C. Lenoir |
Alabama |
Fireman Second Class |
S.C. “Sam” McAdams, Jr. |
Texas |
Radarman Third Class |
Harold R. McCarl |
Pennsylvania |
Radarman Third Class |
J. Dudley Moylan |
Minnesota |
Ensign |
James E. Myers |
North Carolina |
Seaman Second Class |
Thomas V. O’Hara |
California |
Seaman First Class |
Robert E. Olson |
Maine |
Boilermaker First Class |
James E. Patterson |
Georgia |
Watertender Third Class |
James M. Roberson |
North Carolina |
Seaman First Class |
Everett “Bob” Roberts, Jr. |
New Jersey |
Lieutenant |
Richard K. Rohde |
Florida |
Radioman Third Class |
Albert Rosner |
Maryland |
Seaman First Class |
Thomas J. Stevenson, Jr. |
Pennsylvania |
Lieutenant Junior Grade |
Doyle E. Tase |
Tennessee |
Seaman First Class |
Everett L. Tomlinson |
Indiana |
Seaman Second Class |
Harold G. Weiners |
New Jersey |
Gunners Mate Third Class |
Edward J. Wheaton |
Ohio |
Radio Technician Second Class |
William H. “Bill” Wilson |
Michigan |
Seaman First Class |
Donald Young |
California |
Seaman Second Class |
Jack Yusen |
Washington |
Seaman First Class |
We have learned of the passing of Anthony Blaszczyk, on Sunday Dec. 4, 2011.
Here is the link to the obituary of Anthony Blaszczyk. Thank you for your service. May you rest in peace. Our condolences to his family and friends.
To the Association’s knowledge, nine living Survivors remain.
Available for reading. Thank you, Walshes, for putting it out.
USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE 413) Survivor Association Newsletter October 2011
Lieutenant Commander Robert W. Copeland, USNR. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Courtesy of Mrs. Harriet N. Copeland, 1980.
May 1, 1999: New building at Naval Reserve Center in Tacoma, Washington named after Capt. Copeland.
Robert Witcher Copeland was born at Tacoma, Washington, on 9 September 1910. Enlisted in the Naval Reserve in 1929, he was commissioned as a Naval Reserve officer in 1935. Copeland practiced law from 1935 until 1940, when he was ordered to active duty during the Navy’s pre-World War II expansion. During the War, he commanded USS Pawtucket (YT-7), USS Black Douglas (PYc-45), USS Wyman (DE-38) and USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413).
During the Battle off Samar, 25 October 1944, while commanding Samuel B. Roberts, Lieutenant Commander Copeland led his ship and crew in an attack on a greatly superior Japanese battleship and cruiser force. Though his ship was lost, this action helped defeat the Japanese counter-offensive against the Leyte invasion. For this, he was awarded the Navy Cross.
Following World War II, Copeland resumed his law career while remaining a member of the Naval Reserve, in which he rose to the rank of Rear Admiral. Robert W. Copeland died at Tacoma, Washington, on 25 August 1973.
USS Copeland (FFG-25) was named in honor of Rear Admiral Robert W. Copeland, who commanded USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413) in the Battle off Samar, 25 October 1944, and later was awarded the Navy Cross for his heroism in that action. USS Copeland (FFG-25) was named in his honor. This photograph was released 13 December 1944, while LCdr. Copeland was recuperating at the Naval Hospital, San Leandro, California.
Lieutenant Commander Robert W. Copeland, USNR, receives the Navy Cross from Rear Admiral David M. LeBreton, at Norfolk, Virginia, 16 July 1945.
LCdr. Copeland received the Navy Cross for heroism while in command of USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE-413) during the Battle off Samar, 25 October 1944.
Copeland receiving Navy Cross. U.S. Naval Historical Center Photograph. Courtesy of Mrs. Harriet N. Copeland, 1980.
Information from DEPARTMENT OF THE NAVY — NAVAL HISTORICAL CENTER, 901 M STREET SE — WASHINGTON NAVY YARD
WASHINGTON DC 20374-5060
In 1999, Copeland had a building named after him at the Naval Reserve Center in Tacoma, Washington.