7 thoughts on “Crew Members of USS Samuel B. Roberts (DE 413) as of October 25, 1944”

1. Diana Torres August 9, 2022 at 8:54 am

   Hello. First and foremost I want to thank the brave men who served on the USS Samuel Roberts, in particular during the Battle of Leyte Gulf in October 1944. My father, Raymond A. Torres, served in the Navy during that time but was on entirely different ships including the USS La Valette, The USS Wyoming as well as on the USS Topeka. Throughout his life and up until he died at the age of ninety-three, he repeatedly claimed that he was on the USS Roberts when sunk while the ship {the Roberts} transported him and other members of his own ship to their vessel. Although his DD214 does not list the USS Roberts as one of the service vessels he served on, I may suspect this is true based on the details he provided. Can anyone please provide me an indication of where or how I can confirm that the USS Roberts had on board other sailors {transports} when sunk during battle? One, if not the most convincing indications he was on the ship when sunk were the nightmares, his refusal to get a CT scan because being inside the tunnel-like tube was horrifying, and describing the ship being struck. I would like to thank anyone in advance who can provide me with any information that may lead me to confirm this information. By the way, my father is buried at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio, Texas alongside the many many courageous men and women who fought to make this country second to none. Diana Torres.

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2. Paul Pelejo June 27, 2022 at 9:29 pm

   They finally found the USS Samuel B. Roberts in the Philippine Sea! This is great news for the families of the crew. My wife has been praying for this and thank God it was answered! She is the granddaughter of Chief Cook Andres Aguada. He survived the battle but came home wounded. He passed away in 1975, in which my wife was 3 years old. She never knew him, but the stories of her grandmother about him was amazing! I, too am very proud of him, for what he and the crew of USS Sammy has gone through. Our respect and gratitude to them all. Thank you also to Caladan Oceanic for their hard work!

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3. Frank Verna November 30, 2020 at 10:39 am

   How come “Sammy”, the ships mascot, is not given an honorable mention?

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   1. Harry June 27, 2022 at 1:01 pm

      Good question. Thank you!

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4. anthony wieners November 28, 2017 at 10:48 pm

   Happy Holidays to all you veterans , My name is Anthony Wieners. I just recently found out that my biological Father Harold Wieners passed away 2-4 years ago. He was a sailor aboard the USS Samuel B Roberts and wounded in action.
   I currently work at the veterans administration Castle Point Hospital (EMS) dept. I would like to know if there are any of his buddies still alive that can probably give me some information on what kind of man my dad was , ok I know he was a sailor so I wont be shocked, I am also a veteran USARMY .lol

   I would also like (2) extremely large photos of the USS Samuel B Roberts, So that I can have one for my self and also one for my brother Mark Mcgrath who was also Harolds son , there are other children in his family that we are trying to contact.

   These photos of the boat are the only things we can get our hands on if possible to remember our father and all the veterans that served and gave there life so that we can enjoy the freedoms we have today. I would like to give the photo to my brother for Christmas , If anyone reading this can help me, I can be reached at the va hospital email (amthony.wieners@va.gov.

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5. larry Osburn April 8, 2014 at 7:13 pm

   I have read the last of the tin can sailors. Bothe of my sons have served in the Navy. One is still in and will be for duration of at least 20 years. I Have been and I still am proud and believe that this is one of the greatest moments of the U.S. Navy. I have seen specials and read the history of this event and believe that it may of not changed the outcome of the war in the pacific it represented the ultimate in what our Navy stands for and what our country stands for. I stand in awe of what those who did not come back did and to those that did thank you. I just wish my Sons could meet with true American Hero’s.

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6. william d hensley October 28, 2013 at 10:10 pm

   my father seaman second class clifton g hensley wounded in action when the samuel b roberts was sunk during the battle of leyte gulf. he like his four brothers all served in combat during ww11. one navy 3 army. two purple hearts. i was 15 when the war ended and expected to hear many stories of thier war experiences. at our family gatherings which were very large. they never discussed their stories. guess this is typical of this generation.. . .

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