24.
Sept. 29, 2012

Aviation Radioman First Class Frederick J. Beyerle who served on the USS Nevada from late 1944 or early 1945 through the end of the war died Sept. 21, 2011. Dad was a crewman on OS2U Kingfisher spotter floatplanes. He was at Ulithi Atoll, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa when the ship took a Kamikaze. He was proud of his service. Dad went on to a successful career as a rocket scientist with the Army Ballistic Missile Agency that morphed into the National Aeronautics and Space Administration at the George C. Marshall Space Flight Center. He retired in 1973 and traveled extensively with Mom. He was 93 and was a great father to us four post-war baby boomers.

I knew my Dad was in the Navy and basically what he did, flew. But I didn't know many details such as the March 27, 1945, kamikaze attack. He told me about it one day in 1992 after the First Gulf War. Said he was against the war because he "didn't want to see a bunch of Marines brought back in body bags like they did on my ship" at Iwo Jima. I was stunned. I found a Navy video titled Suicide in the Pacific and it has the Kamikaze attack on the Nevada. Dad is seen on the deck post-attack surveying the damage. I was surprised to see him in the Navy film but I purposely looked for it when he told me about the attack. He said the gun that shot the wing off the plane wasn't strong enough - it probably was a 20 mm rather than a 40 mm - to knock the plane out of the sky. The shot-off wing caused the plane to zig into the fantail area instead of zag into the bridge where Dad thought it was headed. The ship took shore fire at Okinawa that caused damage.

Dana Beyerle

23.
July 30, 2012

My father, B. C. Calaway, was on the USS Nevada at Okinawa. He was on an anti-aircraft gun on port side. He said they were damaged by a suicide plane below him mid-ship. I have a video, "Day of the Kamikaze". I swear it looks like him loading on the right side of the gun he was on. Its a short clip, maybe 15 seconds long, port side, gunnels height, amidships ,and proper time. Is there anybody out there who remembers this? I have printed a still frame of the crash. I would like to check this out before I give it to him. He was 16 years old.

Troy Calaway

22.
June 18, 2012

My father, Ameda Ciarrochi, 89 years old served in WWII on the USS Nevada.  His hometown was likely listed as Ardmore, PA.  He has shared many war stories over the years with his family and yesterday, Father's day, was no exception.  He still has the WWII Nevada book that was given to him. It lists all crew, pictures etc.  I am so very proud of him and all of the men who served on the Nevada.

Lisa McGinnis

21.
Mar. 20, 2012

My father, Robert Duff, went to be with the Lord on Saturday March 17 at 11 p.m. He was 91. He will be remembered at a mass at St. Luke's Church in Temple City, California at 10 AM PST. He will be buried immediately afterward at Resurrection Cemetery in San Gabriel.

Thanks,
Gloriann Connor

20.
Dec. 12, 2011

I've been reading "Air Raid: Pearl Harbor ! Recollections of a Day of Infamy" edited by Paul Stillwell which includes an article about the USS Nevada (BB-36) entitled "The Cheer-up Ship" by Vice Admiral Lorenzo S. Sabin, U.S. Navy (Retired).

On page #145 I was quite surprised to read: "For several days prior to the attack, the battleships at Pearl Harbor had been replacing their standard weight main battery projectiles with heavier-than-standard projectiles. This had been ordered by the Bureau of Ordnance, which accepted the loss of a mile or so in maximum range in exchange for a higher penetration factor and a larger and more powerful explosive charge. In order for the new projectiles to be fired with approximately the same muzzle energy as the old ones, new powder charges were needed also. ... On Saturday afternoon, 6 December 1941, Lieutenant Commander Armand J. Robertson, gunnery officer of the Nevada, reported to me that all old main battery projectiles and all old powder had been removed from the ship and all new projectiles loaded on board, leaving only the new powder charges to be loaded... On Sunday morning that barge was en route to the Nevada when the attack started; it was loaded with enough powder to blow up half of Pearl Harbor... The Nevada didn't blow up and sink, because there was no main-battery powder in her magazines !"

I suspect that yet another disaster similar to that which historically befell the USS Arizona on that awful morning, was only avoided by the narrowest of margins on the USS Nevada but I am searching for both oral and published confirming accounts. I have found gunnery mate George Hutton's supporting account, "Now 91 and living in Madison, Hutton said he was lucky that when the surprise attack occurred, his ship had been midway through a change in the type of ammunition used by its 14-inch guns. Massive stockpiles of explosive powder had just been removed and not yet replaced. Otherwise, Hutton said, he and many others would have been killed early in the attack when a torpedo slammed into the hull below their gun turrets. "If we'd had powder in there, it would have been a different story," Hutton said." from http://host.madison.com/news/local/veterans-memories-of-pearl-harbor-attack-still-sting-years-later/article_5122404a-206d-11e1-ac38-0019bb2963f4.html  but would also like to locate any official US Navy or Bureau of Ordnance documentation and details as well.

I also imagine that the USS Pennsylvania, perched high and dry in Drydock #1 at the time, might also have been without projectiles and / or powder in order to reduce the strain on her hull / keel while she was supported only on blocks up and out of the water ? Can anyone confirm this and does anyone know if any of the other USN BBs at Pearl Harbor on that morning were similarly unarmed ?

Any listing of exactly when each of the Pacific Fleet's battleships changed over their main gun ammunition loads would also be most helpful.

More detailed information, published sources or even suggestions as to where such information might be found on these two topics would be most appreciated. Please let me know if this is ok ? I've already exchanged e-mails with the USS Pyro's survivors association and received one more supporting oral history (she apparently carried the USS Nevada's new shells and powder to Oahu just a few days prior to Dec.7'41) but published confirmation remains elusive.

Robert Dabrovsky
Toronto

19.
Dec. 7, 2011

My Father, Robert F. Duff, was a radio man on the USS Nevada the day of the attack on Pearl Harbor. He is 91. We need to always remember those who were not so fortunate.

Gloriann P. Connor
Naval Base Coronado

18.
Dec. 7, 2011

I am trying to teach my kids about Pearl Harbor history. My grandfather was supposedly on the USS Nevada on December 7, 1941. He passed away when I was a newborn. Do you have the list of crewman on the Nevada that day or any other documents associated with them during the attack/ WW2?

Respectfully,
Mark Lemoine
Buckley, Washington

17.
Nov. 26, 2011

My grandfather, Floyd LaCoix, was on the Nevada. I believe he was a replacement after Pearl Harbor. As a child I remember his stories of the war. I know he was very near when hit by the Japanese Plane. He spoke of loosing a good friend to that. Till the day he died he was still upset that they gave what was left of the pilot a proper burial at sea. To him there was "no honor" in that kind of action or attack. One of my biggest regrets is that I did not record him telling the stories, he was so proud of his crew mates and the role they played in the war. He would speak about how accurate they had become with there guns and the things they had accomplished for the ground troops during the invasions. He remained on the ship for the entire war and spoke of the feeling of hearing the war was over. As I got older he would slip a few stories in of their times ashore (some of the "fun" they had would get you arrested today). If anyone has any documentation or would know where to look for things with his name on it would you please let me know. I just fear that I have taken this on too late, as there are not many left of the brave men that may have served with him. God Bless them and those who carry the pride for them today.

Ken Douglas
Minnesota

16.
Oct. 28, 2011

I am the Commodore of the Quarterdeck Society in Los Angeles. We own the model of the USS Nevada. Currently the model is undergoing extensive refurbishment by a group of master modelers. I would like to ask your friends if they would like to contribute to this effort. In addition you and your group will be invited to the roll out of the refurbished ship in late December. By the way our model is 40 feet long and has a beam of almost 3 feet. It is mounted on it own trailer for exhibition. Let me know if you want to make a donation to this very worthy project.

Regards,
Dave Rupp

12
Dec. 8, 2010

My uncle, Thomas Warner, had served on the USS Nevada BB-36 while it was at Pearl Harbor and survived. Please copy me, if possible, with any kind of crew list that is available.

Thank you,
David Warner
Gilbert, Arizona

11.
Dec. 8, 2010

My father Edwin D. Bennett was on the Nevada during Pearl Harbor. I have tried to find a complete list for years.

Scott Bennett

10.
Dec. 8, 2010

My Grandfather, Robert Henry Troescher, Sr., served on the USS Nevada BB-36.  I have been searching for any information on my Grandfather's service on the internet for a few months now. Although since we took in my 16 year old cousin Robert H. Troescher III I have not done much since the summer. I for some reason was compelled at about 1am this morning to start googling again. I was shocked and pleasantly surprised to have learned you ran an event to honor the Nevada and her crew.  I realize it has been a few months but I am hopeful that you may be able to offer any assistance. 

My Grandpa Bob was a great man and a pillar in the community. He was a God fearing man, Master Mason, Member of Kiwannas and Rotary, small business owner and successful attorney. Although I was only in the third grade when he passed he has made a profound impact in my life and has served as a fine example of a man. I want to learn as much as I can about his service and his shipmates. All I know is that he retired the as a Lt. Cmdr. from the reserves. He finished Harvard and took a commission in the Navy. He was assigned to the Nevada while she was being refitted after Pearl Harbor. He served throughout the war as I understand second in command of a 5" turret and was close to where the ship was struck by a Kamikaze off Okinawa. 

I never heard him speak much of his service likely due to my age at the time. However, he told my uncle several stories about my Grandfather's experiences during the invasion of Europe and the Battle of Cherbourg Harbor.  He always said that the Army got the credit but the Nevada was the reason why we took the port. That is about the extent of my knowledge of his experiences. Other than a few exchanges of gunfire with Japanese gun emplacements on Iwo Jima. I don't expect you to know of my Grandpa but if you know someone who may or can at least point me in the right direction I would appreciate it. 

Although my cousin Robbie was born 3 years after he passed he is very proud of his namesake and is striving to follow in is footsteps. He is in 11th grade and is adamant about joining the US Navy. He is very active in the Mooresville High School Navy JROTC.

I find it saddening that many people my age who have had family serve our country and have no knowledge about their service. I am fearful that we are loosing our history and I don't want my family to be ignorant to his service. I was hoping that you could share any information you can offer about the history of the Nevada. I guess that if I cannot find specific stories of my Grandfather I can at least know where he and his shipmates were and what they experienced.

I was hoping that if there are any additional events that I may be at least kept in the loop. My family does have a few newspaper clippings and some photos of my Grandfather including one of the Nevada and her crew in October 1945. I am sorry to be rambling on but I also noticed that there was a commemorative silver coin in honor of the Nevada and her crew. Ironically I have begun purchasing silver coins and would absolutely love to find one or two for purchase. I thank you in advance for any and all help you could offer. I hope you have a great holiday season. 

God bless,
Nels Robert Solberg

9.
Nov. 28, 2010

Like Lisa Hamilton' s father, my father, Ensign Jack Sherertz, also served on the USS Nevada at Pearl Harbor and I to am looking for a complete crew list. Thanks for any assistance you can provide.

Bob Sherertz

8.
Oct. 3, 2010

The Reno Council of the US Navy League has announced that they will be hosting a dinner to honor the surviving crewmen of the Battleship USS Nevada, (BB 36). The Nevada, commissioned in 1916, was attacked at Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and served with great distinction throughout the war. As the only battleship to get underway during the Pearl Harbor attack the Nevada has held a special place in Pearl Harbor history. She participated in the D-Day, Iwo Jima and Okinawa landings and earned 7 battle Stars for her service in WWII. Decommissioned in 1946, her crew has remained close by establishing the USS Nevada Association.

The Reno Council sponsored the commissioning of the present USS Nevada, a ballistic missile submarine (SSBN 733), in 1986 and has maintained strong ties with the boat and her crews since that time. When the Council became aware that the USS Nevada Association was planning a reunion in Reno the members felt it represented a great opportunity to unite the former crewmen of the battleship with the crew of the present USS Nevada. Kai Wallis, Reno Council President, said "This is a historically significant opportunity to say thanks to the present and former defenders of our freedom".

Reno Council members contacted the president of the USS Nevada Association and volunteered to help make their reunion a memorable one. The Association members will arrive in Reno on October 7, travel to Carson City on the 8th to meet the Governor and visit the USS Nevada Memorial. They will then go to the Nevada Museum to see the Battleship Nevada memorabilia. The silver service that was given to the ship was one of the most remarkable ever given to a naval vessel. Being the "Silver State" Nevadans went out of their way to give the sailors the best. Most of the surviving members have never seen the beautiful silver service on display at the Museum.

When the Navy League members found out that the Association had no plans for Saturday night, October 9, they immediately went to work planning a dinner honoring the Battleship veterans and getting them together with some of the present day crewmen of the submarine which is based in Bangor, WA. A ballroom was reserved at the hotel where they were staying. Individuals began to volunteer their services and interest is growing very quickly. Wallis said "It's almost as if the people of Nevada see this dinner as a chance to thank these few survivors for their service to America and Americans. It is even more special that they gave their service under the name of Nevada".

The dinner will be Harrah's on October 9 at 6:00pm. The Public is invited to attend this dinner to honor the USS Nevada survivors.

For information contact:
Reno Council Navy League at kaiwallis@hotmail.com
or by calling 775-853-4320

You can also download the Reservation Form by clicking on the link.

7.
July 29, 2010

The USS Nevada Association will be having a reunion in Reno, Nevada this October 7 - 10 sponsored by the Reno Council of the Navy League. On October 8 they will visit the USS Nevada Memorial behind the State Capitol. According to Kai Wallace, when the war ended BB 36 was destined for nuclear testing in the Western Pacific.  At some point the crew was told that the people of Nevada would give them a cigar (or cigarettes), a Nevada silver dollar and the governors' handshake as an expression of gratitude.

This story is at least partially true as they were all given a silver dollar from a magnesium box made from Nevada magnesium. To this day the survivors are upset that they did not get to meet the Governor. The Governor's office is arranging for him to be at the Memorial and offer his handshake with Capitol Post 4 or Tim Tetz, the outgoing Executive Director of the Nevada Office of Veterans Services possibly providing the cigars.  I've been asked by Tim to see if we can verify the promise, thus my reason for writing you.

Would it be possible for you to post a request on the USS Nevada message board for anyone having firsthand experience of the offer of a silver dollar, cigar, and handshake from the governor to contact me? I have a number of e-mails with the information generating this if you'd like me to forward them to you. In advance thanks very much for your help and all that you do to keep the memory of the USS Nevada alive -- being a native Nevadan it is especially meaningful for me.

Sincerely,
Tod Jennings

6.
June 19, 2010

I am looking for a complete list of the Crew for the USS Nevada during the December 7, 1941, Pearl Harbor, attack. My Father Gordon D. Hamilton was on the ship at Pearl Harbor, that is why I want a list of crew mates.

Lisa Hamilton
Daughter of Gordon D. Hamilton

5.
Dec. 9, 2009

My grandfather, John J. Keiers, is alive and well at age 90, served on the USS Nevada from 1944-1946, in communications. He kept an outstanding diary and also still remembers all the details of his service. If anyone one has questions about their family members service what he/she did and what action the ship saw during those years, I would be happy to ask him.

David

4.
Sept. 8, 2009

My father, William Seymour Murphy, was a Gunner's Mate Chief assigned to the USS Nevada stationed at Pearl Harbor, and went through the attack on December 7th. My Mother and Father were living there as they had just married. Mother was a nurse at Honolulu General at the time. My father survived the attack as well as his brother, James E. Murphy who was also assigned to the Nevada. 

My Father went with the ship when it went mainland for repairs and my Mother had to stay until the first dependents cruise sailed the next year. I have a sheet of paper from some of the ships documents that my Father found on the 7th, it is a very partial listing of some of the crew and includes my Father's name. I would be happy to scan it and send it to anyone who would like a copy of it.

Kind regards,
Elaine Huenink, (daughter)
Greensboro, Geogria

3.
Apr. 14, 2009

My father served on the Nevada after Pearl Harbor. He is getting older and can't remember all the battles and locations he has been in. He was a gunner's mate and remembers when the ship was hit by a Japanese bomber. I am trying to piece together his tour in the Navy for him. His name is Melvin Welch. Any information would be helpful. 

Thank you,
Rosemary Crume
Tiller, Oregon

2.
Apr. 30, 2008

My Grandfather Herbert Earl Franklin served on the USS Nevada 3rd Division somewhere in the 1920's. I know
he was part of the 'Goodwill' tour July-September 1925 as he met and married my Grandmother in Australia.
I'm trying to get more information about his time in the Navy and why he left-I suspect due to a heart condition
that ended his life in 1946.I've been trying to obtain crew lists for the Nevada around this time but to no avail.
If you can provide or point me in the direction of this sort of information I would greatly appreciate it.

Regards,
Jo Franklin
(Granddaughter of Herbert 'Bert' Franklin)

1.
Dec. 21, 2006

My father John J. Flowers was a sailor on the USS Nevada on December 7,1941. He never spoke of his experiences of WWII for many years. After many years he shared his stories of the war. He was a proud American and served his country also in Korea and Vietnam. He was most proud of his service on the USS Nevada and the heavy cruiser the USS Indianapolis. He later joined the Pearl Harbor survivors association. I took him to a reunion in St. Louis in 1991. He meet a few of the Nevada survivors and even in ill health he seemed to be so happy that he had this last opportunity to see some very old friends and survivors. This was very emotional for him and I could also sense that he felt that he had completed his service to his country. He was a US sailor and patriot. He died on June 3 1993. I will always be so proud of my fathers service to my country.

Lee Flowers