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In Memory of the Fallen Shipmates on the USS
YMS-427
On April 7th
1945 while sweeping mines in the Company with USS YMS-1, USS YMS-103, USS
YMS-92, and USS YMS-299 east of Okinawa Jima, Rykya. At 1654 a Japanese shore battery opened fire on this vessel. At 1657 we took a shell hit on the after
part 50 caliber machine gun causing fatal injuries to Lt(JG) Clark Stephen
Strom, Engineering officer 269269 USNR of Portland, Oregon, BM1/c Gene Richard
Brown, 2916566, USN, and F2/c Granville Lee Rumble 827 20 83, V-6 SW USNR. S2/c William Hymell Kelley 712 77 55, V-6
USNR, sustained serious injuries. Who now resides at 8719 112 Way North
Seminole, Florida 33772-3642. On April
8th, 1945 Captain Lt. Thomas C. Davies, Chaplain, USN 259405, and
officers and members of the crew of this vessel conducted a burial ceremony at
sea in the accordance with NavPers 15,046.
At 1738 the bodies of Clark Stephen Strom, Lt(JG), Gene Richard Brown
BM1/c, and Granville Lee Rumble, F2/c, were committed to the deep. Latitude 26 Degrees 07’ 45” north, Longitude
127 degrees 18’ 45” east.
Grant them rest eternal lord and let light perpetual shine
upon them.
NAVPERS—601 (9-43)
On April 20th,
1945 to the members of the crew of the USS YMS 427, forces engaged in clearing
mines from the approaches to and the harbors of Na Gusuku Wan, and Kinmu Wan,
Okinashime, from the 3rd to 10th April, 1945. Referring to the latter activities, the
commander of the Eastern Fire Support Group I the following message, in
paraphrase:
BY THOSE WHO CAN NOW
SAFELY USE THE WATERS THAT YOU HAVE CLEARED, THE SACRIFICES MADE AND THE
COURAGE AND PERSEVERANCE OF THE PERSONNEL UNDER YOUR COMMAND ARE DEEPLY
APPRECIATED.
The Commander of the Mines Squadron
Ten commented on the above as follows:
“WITH GREAT
SORROW FOR THE CASUALTIES INVLOVED, THE MINESWEEPING TASK COMMANDER CAN ONLY
ADD: ‘WELL DONE’.”
While
clearing mines in Naksgusuku Wan, YMS-427 was fired upon and hit by shore
batteries, causing personnel and material casualties. Commander Eastern Fire Support Group, referring to the above,
sent the following message:
“DEEPLY
REGRET YOUR CASUALTIES AND GREATLY ADMIRE YOUR COURAGE.”
To Captain USS
YSM-427 G. L. Denton, jr., Lt(JG) USNR
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