**U.S., World War II and Korean Conflict Veterans Interred Overseas
Name: Elmer E Richmond
Inducted From: California
Rank: Water Tender First Class
Combat Organization: United States Navy
Death Date: 15 Nov 1942
Monument: Fort William Mckinley, Manila, the Philippines
Last Known Status: Missing
U.S. Awards: Purple Heart Medal
** U.S., World War II Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Casualties, 1941-1945
Name: Elmer Eugene Richmond
Relative Name: Mrs. Estelle Richmon
Relative Relationship: Wife
State: California
Country: United States
Type of Casualty: Killed In Action
Roll: ww2c_27
** U.S., Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945
Name: Elmer E Richmond
Gender: Male
Race: White
Religion: No Record
Disposition: Nonrecoverable
Service Branch: Navy
Rank: Water Tender 1st Class
Service Number: 3416677
**U.S., World War II Military Personnel Missing In Action or Lost At Sea, 1941-1946
Name: Elmer E Richmond
Date of Loss: 15 Nov 1942
Branch: U.S. Navy
Rank: WT1
Service Number: 3416677
Status: Missing in Action
**U.S., Navy Casualties Books, 1776-1941
Name: Elmer Eugene Richmond
Residence Place: California, USA
Branch of Service: US Navy
Spouse: Estelle Richmond
Volume Title: Combat Naval Casualties, World War II, (AL-MO)
=======================================
Elmer was the youngest of six children and the 2nd son born to Madison Love "Matt" RICHMOND and Mary Jane DAVENPORT.
At some point his family moved to Texas, and then they moved from Texas to Kansas before 1913.
His father was killed 13 MAR 1913 in Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas, when Elmer was 11 years old.
1915 Census Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas; age 13 living with his mother.
11 SEP 1918 He registered for WW1 Draft in Sapulpa, Creek County, Oklahoma. He gave his birthdate at 1899. He was 5' 11", with blue eyes and brown hair. He listed his mother as his nearest relative. And his occupation as Electrician / Western Electric Co., Sapulpa.
1919 NOV 15 Elmer departed Brest, France on the George Washington US WWI Troop Transport Ship. He is a Private #6418264; Military Unit: EMB. DET. ASC. BS#5. He arrived 25 NOV 1260 Hoboken, New Jersey. Hi mother Mary J. Richmond's address is listed as 1260 Wyoming Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas.
1920 Census Camp Dix, Burlington County, New Jersey; Occupation Soldier / Rigger - Camp Hospital; age 19; single
14 NOV 1926 he married Estelle "Kay" DILBECK
No children
1 APR 1932 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at Philadelphia, PA.
20 FEB 1939 he Transferred to RS San Francisco for Discharge USS Pillsbury via USS Henderson
28 FEB 1939 Muster date USS Henderson
7 MAR 1939 Hon. Disch. KIP OF ENLISTMENT (character Good)
8 MAR 1939 Re-enlilsted, San Francisco California for four years
28 MAR 1939 Transferred to USS Trinity
30 MAR 1939 Rec. Ship, USS Trinity (crew) San Francisco, California for duty
31 MAR 1939 Muster date Trinity AO-13
28 JUL 1939 Received at US Naval Hospital, Canacao P.I.
31 JUL 1939 Sailed Out WT2c Naval Receiving Station, Cavite, Phillipines
16 AUG 1939 Transferred from USS Chaumont EFT Comdesron Five
25 SEP 1941 Received at US Naval Receiving Station, Cavite, Phillipines
30 SEP 1941 Muster out Edsall DD219
6 OCT 1941 Transferred to US Naval Hospital, Canacal PI
10 OCT 1941 Received from Naval Hospital Canacao P.I. to Naval Hospital Mare Island, California
11 OCT 1941 Passenger USS Henderson to Manila, P.I. to Guam, M.I.
31 OCT 1941 Naval Receiving Station, Cavite, Phillippines
2 NOV 1941 USS Henderson arrival at San Francisco, California
9 NOV 1941 Transfered to Naval Hospital, Mare Island, California, for treatment
30 NOV 1941 Naval Receiving Station, Cavite, Philippines
11 DEC 1941 Received on board USS Preston (DD 379) San Francisco, Calif., for duty
15 DEC 1941 USS Preston (DD379) from Navy Yard, Mare Island, California to not known
31 DEC 1941 sailed crew on USS Preston (DD379)
In the U.S., Navy Casualties Books, 1776-1941, Elmer's wife is listed as Mrs Estelle Richmond, 335 Hyde St, San Francisco
31 MAR 1942 USS Preston (DD379) crew
30 JUN 1942 USS Preston (DD379) crew
1 JUL 1942 Change of Rating WT2c to WT1c Adv. to fill vac. in allow. Auth: BuNav. C/L No. 1-42
20 JUL 1942 USS Preston DD379
30 SEP 1942 Muster Date USS Preston DD379
"Following shakedown, Preston operated briefly under the Chief of Naval Operations, then joined Battle Force, U.S. Fleet. Initially assigned to DesRon 2, then shifted to DesRon 5, she conducted peacetime training exercises in the Pacific until 7 December 1941. Patrol and coastal escort duties along the west coast kept Preston in the eastern Pacific until 1 June 1942. Then setting a westward course she headed for Hawaii in the screen of Saratoga. Arriving on the 6th, her group, TG 11.1, departed again the next day to rendezvous with TF 17 and deliver planes, pilots, and material to Enterprise and Hornet as that force refueled and rested after the Battle of Midway.
On the 13th, Preston returned to Pearl Harbor and for the next four months conducted type exercises and performed patrol and escort work in the Hawaiian area. She joined TF 16, 4 October, and on the 15th sailed for the Solomons. On the 24th, TF 16 rendezvoused with TF 17, formed TF 61, and continued on. Two days later, Preston, in the carrier screen, introduced her guns to the enemy at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. Splashing two planes, she emerged unscathed from her first engagement and retired to Noumea.
Rearmed, she headed back to the Solomons and her second, and last, fight.
[14 November 1942 was Elmer and Kay's 16th wedding anniversary]
On the evening of 14 November, Preston, with TF 64, sailed along the western end of Guadalcanal to intercept another Japanese run down the "Slot" to bombard Henderson Field and land reinforcements. Swinging around Savo Island, the force, two battleships preceded by four destroyers, entered the channel between Savo and Cape Esperance. At 2300, the battleship Washington picked up the enemy cruiser Sendai on her radar, and, at 2317, the 3rd Battle of Savo Island began.
Sendai, accompanied by the destroyer Shikinami, had been following the Americans, but 16" projectiles drove them off. Soon after, however, the battle was rejoined. The Japanese force had been dispersed and within minutes of the battleshipcruiser encounter, enemy destroyers, edging along the southern shore of Savo, entered the fray. Benham and Preston followed. Gwin, which had been firing illumination shells toward the earlier gunfire exchange, came into the action in time to sight the cruiser Nagara and 4 destroyers closing in. Farther out heavier Japanese ships were preparing to join in. The concentrated American destroyers were now central targets.
Approximately 8 minutes after the enemy was engaged, Walke was hit. Soon after, Preston, preparing her torpedoes, was struck. One salvo from Nagara had put both firerooms out and toppled the afterstack. Her fires made an easier target and shells came in from both port and starboard. The fires spread. At 2336, she was ordered abandoned. Seconds later she rolled on her side. She floated for another 10 minutes, bow in the air; then sank, taking 116 of her crew with her.
The battle continued. Gwin now became the target of Japanese guns. Shells exploded in an engineroom and on the fantail. At 2338, Walke's forecastle was blown off. Benham's bow was all but demolished; she would go down on the 15th. Walke, burning brightly, soon followed Preston to the Savo Island graveyard. At 2348, as the battleships took over, the remaining destoyers were ordered to retire. In the ensuing duel, Washington inflicted irreparable damage on the Japanese bombardment force and remained unscathed. South Dakota, however, was exposed by searchlight and took shells from that enemy force. The Japanese had again scored heavily, but in doing so had lost a battleship and a destroyer, and, more important, had abandoned their mission of bombarding Henderson Field into uselessness.
Preston (DD–379) earned two battle stars for World War II service."
http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/p11/preston-v.htm
Elmer was killed in action - declared "missing in action" - his body "non recoverable"
He was awarded the Purple Heart
At the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, November 12-15 1942 in the Solomon Islands, a total of 3,632 Americans and Japanese were killed. The battle turned back Japan's last major attempt to dislodge Allied forces from Guadalcanal and nearby Tulagi, resulting in a strategic victory for the U.S. and its allies and deciding the ultimate outcome of the Guadalcanal campaign in their favor.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Battle_of_Guadalcanal
San Francisco Chronicle, Thursday, December 31, 1942 page 5
Navy Casualties: Official Reports Show Twelve Bay Area Officer and Men Killed in Action
... "Elmer Richmond
Elmer Eugene Richmond, 37, watertender, was a veteran of 18 years service in the Navy.
His widow, Mrs. Estelle Richmond, lives at 335 Hyde Street. The couple were married April 2, 1942 in San Francisco.
Richmond was a native of Indiana. Other survivors are three sisters and a brother in Kansas City, Kansas.
His last letter to his wife was written October 31 and received by her November 9."
Name: Elmer E Richmond
Inducted From: California
Rank: Water Tender First Class
Combat Organization: United States Navy
Death Date: 15 Nov 1942
Monument: Fort William Mckinley, Manila, the Philippines
Last Known Status: Missing
U.S. Awards: Purple Heart Medal
** U.S., World War II Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Casualties, 1941-1945
Name: Elmer Eugene Richmond
Relative Name: Mrs. Estelle Richmon
Relative Relationship: Wife
State: California
Country: United States
Type of Casualty: Killed In Action
Roll: ww2c_27
** U.S., Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945
Name: Elmer E Richmond
Gender: Male
Race: White
Religion: No Record
Disposition: Nonrecoverable
Service Branch: Navy
Rank: Water Tender 1st Class
Service Number: 3416677
**U.S., World War II Military Personnel Missing In Action or Lost At Sea, 1941-1946
Name: Elmer E Richmond
Date of Loss: 15 Nov 1942
Branch: U.S. Navy
Rank: WT1
Service Number: 3416677
Status: Missing in Action
**U.S., Navy Casualties Books, 1776-1941
Name: Elmer Eugene Richmond
Residence Place: California, USA
Branch of Service: US Navy
Spouse: Estelle Richmond
Volume Title: Combat Naval Casualties, World War II, (AL-MO)
=======================================
Elmer was the youngest of six children and the 2nd son born to Madison Love "Matt" RICHMOND and Mary Jane DAVENPORT.
At some point his family moved to Texas, and then they moved from Texas to Kansas before 1913.
His father was killed 13 MAR 1913 in Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas, when Elmer was 11 years old.
1915 Census Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas; age 13 living with his mother.
11 SEP 1918 He registered for WW1 Draft in Sapulpa, Creek County, Oklahoma. He gave his birthdate at 1899. He was 5' 11", with blue eyes and brown hair. He listed his mother as his nearest relative. And his occupation as Electrician / Western Electric Co., Sapulpa.
1919 NOV 15 Elmer departed Brest, France on the George Washington US WWI Troop Transport Ship. He is a Private #6418264; Military Unit: EMB. DET. ASC. BS#5. He arrived 25 NOV 1260 Hoboken, New Jersey. Hi mother Mary J. Richmond's address is listed as 1260 Wyoming Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas.
1920 Census Camp Dix, Burlington County, New Jersey; Occupation Soldier / Rigger - Camp Hospital; age 19; single
14 NOV 1926 he married Estelle "Kay" DILBECK
No children
1 APR 1932 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at Philadelphia, PA.
20 FEB 1939 he Transferred to RS San Francisco for Discharge USS Pillsbury via USS Henderson
28 FEB 1939 Muster date USS Henderson
7 MAR 1939 Hon. Disch. KIP OF ENLISTMENT (character Good)
8 MAR 1939 Re-enlilsted, San Francisco California for four years
28 MAR 1939 Transferred to USS Trinity
30 MAR 1939 Rec. Ship, USS Trinity (crew) San Francisco, California for duty
31 MAR 1939 Muster date Trinity AO-13
28 JUL 1939 Received at US Naval Hospital, Canacao P.I.
31 JUL 1939 Sailed Out WT2c Naval Receiving Station, Cavite, Phillipines
16 AUG 1939 Transferred from USS Chaumont EFT Comdesron Five
25 SEP 1941 Received at US Naval Receiving Station, Cavite, Phillipines
30 SEP 1941 Muster out Edsall DD219
6 OCT 1941 Transferred to US Naval Hospital, Canacal PI
10 OCT 1941 Received from Naval Hospital Canacao P.I. to Naval Hospital Mare Island, California
11 OCT 1941 Passenger USS Henderson to Manila, P.I. to Guam, M.I.
31 OCT 1941 Naval Receiving Station, Cavite, Phillippines
2 NOV 1941 USS Henderson arrival at San Francisco, California
9 NOV 1941 Transfered to Naval Hospital, Mare Island, California, for treatment
30 NOV 1941 Naval Receiving Station, Cavite, Philippines
11 DEC 1941 Received on board USS Preston (DD 379) San Francisco, Calif., for duty
15 DEC 1941 USS Preston (DD379) from Navy Yard, Mare Island, California to not known
31 DEC 1941 sailed crew on USS Preston (DD379)
In the U.S., Navy Casualties Books, 1776-1941, Elmer's wife is listed as Mrs Estelle Richmond, 335 Hyde St, San Francisco
31 MAR 1942 USS Preston (DD379) crew
30 JUN 1942 USS Preston (DD379) crew
1 JUL 1942 Change of Rating WT2c to WT1c Adv. to fill vac. in allow. Auth: BuNav. C/L No. 1-42
20 JUL 1942 USS Preston DD379
30 SEP 1942 Muster Date USS Preston DD379
"Following shakedown, Preston operated briefly under the Chief of Naval Operations, then joined Battle Force, U.S. Fleet. Initially assigned to DesRon 2, then shifted to DesRon 5, she conducted peacetime training exercises in the Pacific until 7 December 1941. Patrol and coastal escort duties along the west coast kept Preston in the eastern Pacific until 1 June 1942. Then setting a westward course she headed for Hawaii in the screen of Saratoga. Arriving on the 6th, her group, TG 11.1, departed again the next day to rendezvous with TF 17 and deliver planes, pilots, and material to Enterprise and Hornet as that force refueled and rested after the Battle of Midway.
On the 13th, Preston returned to Pearl Harbor and for the next four months conducted type exercises and performed patrol and escort work in the Hawaiian area. She joined TF 16, 4 October, and on the 15th sailed for the Solomons. On the 24th, TF 16 rendezvoused with TF 17, formed TF 61, and continued on. Two days later, Preston, in the carrier screen, introduced her guns to the enemy at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. Splashing two planes, she emerged unscathed from her first engagement and retired to Noumea.
Rearmed, she headed back to the Solomons and her second, and last, fight.
[14 November 1942 was Elmer and Kay's 16th wedding anniversary]
On the evening of 14 November, Preston, with TF 64, sailed along the western end of Guadalcanal to intercept another Japanese run down the "Slot" to bombard Henderson Field and land reinforcements. Swinging around Savo Island, the force, two battleships preceded by four destroyers, entered the channel between Savo and Cape Esperance. At 2300, the battleship Washington picked up the enemy cruiser Sendai on her radar, and, at 2317, the 3rd Battle of Savo Island began.
Sendai, accompanied by the destroyer Shikinami, had been following the Americans, but 16" projectiles drove them off. Soon after, however, the battle was rejoined. The Japanese force had been dispersed and within minutes of the battleshipcruiser encounter, enemy destroyers, edging along the southern shore of Savo, entered the fray. Benham and Preston followed. Gwin, which had been firing illumination shells toward the earlier gunfire exchange, came into the action in time to sight the cruiser Nagara and 4 destroyers closing in. Farther out heavier Japanese ships were preparing to join in. The concentrated American destroyers were now central targets.
Approximately 8 minutes after the enemy was engaged, Walke was hit. Soon after, Preston, preparing her torpedoes, was struck. One salvo from Nagara had put both firerooms out and toppled the afterstack. Her fires made an easier target and shells came in from both port and starboard. The fires spread. At 2336, she was ordered abandoned. Seconds later she rolled on her side. She floated for another 10 minutes, bow in the air; then sank, taking 116 of her crew with her.
The battle continued. Gwin now became the target of Japanese guns. Shells exploded in an engineroom and on the fantail. At 2338, Walke's forecastle was blown off. Benham's bow was all but demolished; she would go down on the 15th. Walke, burning brightly, soon followed Preston to the Savo Island graveyard. At 2348, as the battleships took over, the remaining destoyers were ordered to retire. In the ensuing duel, Washington inflicted irreparable damage on the Japanese bombardment force and remained unscathed. South Dakota, however, was exposed by searchlight and took shells from that enemy force. The Japanese had again scored heavily, but in doing so had lost a battleship and a destroyer, and, more important, had abandoned their mission of bombarding Henderson Field into uselessness.
Preston (DD–379) earned two battle stars for World War II service."
http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/p11/preston-v.htm
Elmer was killed in action - declared "missing in action" - his body "non recoverable"
He was awarded the Purple Heart
At the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, November 12-15 1942 in the Solomon Islands, a total of 3,632 Americans and Japanese were killed. The battle turned back Japan's last major attempt to dislodge Allied forces from Guadalcanal and nearby Tulagi, resulting in a strategic victory for the U.S. and its allies and deciding the ultimate outcome of the Guadalcanal campaign in their favor.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Battle_of_Guadalcanal
San Francisco Chronicle, Thursday, December 31, 1942 page 5
Navy Casualties: Official Reports Show Twelve Bay Area Officer and Men Killed in Action
... "Elmer Richmond
Elmer Eugene Richmond, 37, watertender, was a veteran of 18 years service in the Navy.
His widow, Mrs. Estelle Richmond, lives at 335 Hyde Street. The couple were married April 2, 1942 in San Francisco.
Richmond was a native of Indiana. Other survivors are three sisters and a brother in Kansas City, Kansas.
His last letter to his wife was written October 31 and received by her November 9."
**U.S., World War II and Korean Conflict Veterans Interred Overseas
Name: Elmer E Richmond
Inducted From: California
Rank: Water Tender First Class
Combat Organization: United States Navy
Death Date: 15 Nov 1942
Monument: Fort William Mckinley, Manila, the Philippines
Last Known Status: Missing
U.S. Awards: Purple Heart Medal
** U.S., World War II Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Casualties, 1941-1945
Name: Elmer Eugene Richmond
Relative Name: Mrs. Estelle Richmon
Relative Relationship: Wife
State: California
Country: United States
Type of Casualty: Killed In Action
Roll: ww2c_27
** U.S., Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945
Name: Elmer E Richmond
Gender: Male
Race: White
Religion: No Record
Disposition: Nonrecoverable
Service Branch: Navy
Rank: Water Tender 1st Class
Service Number: 3416677
**U.S., World War II Military Personnel Missing In Action or Lost At Sea, 1941-1946
Name: Elmer E Richmond
Date of Loss: 15 Nov 1942
Branch: U.S. Navy
Rank: WT1
Service Number: 3416677
Status: Missing in Action
**U.S., Navy Casualties Books, 1776-1941
Name: Elmer Eugene Richmond
Residence Place: California, USA
Branch of Service: US Navy
Spouse: Estelle Richmond
Volume Title: Combat Naval Casualties, World War II, (AL-MO)
=======================================
Elmer was the youngest of six children and the 2nd son born to Madison Love "Matt" RICHMOND and Mary Jane DAVENPORT.
At some point his family moved to Texas, and then they moved from Texas to Kansas before 1913.
His father was killed 13 MAR 1913 in Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas, when Elmer was 11 years old.
1915 Census Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas; age 13 living with his mother.
11 SEP 1918 He registered for WW1 Draft in Sapulpa, Creek County, Oklahoma. He gave his birthdate at 1899. He was 5' 11", with blue eyes and brown hair. He listed his mother as his nearest relative. And his occupation as Electrician / Western Electric Co., Sapulpa.
1919 NOV 15 Elmer departed Brest, France on the George Washington US WWI Troop Transport Ship. He is a Private #6418264; Military Unit: EMB. DET. ASC. BS#5. He arrived 25 NOV 1260 Hoboken, New Jersey. Hi mother Mary J. Richmond's address is listed as 1260 Wyoming Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas.
1920 Census Camp Dix, Burlington County, New Jersey; Occupation Soldier / Rigger - Camp Hospital; age 19; single
14 NOV 1926 he married Estelle "Kay" DILBECK
No children
1 APR 1932 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at Philadelphia, PA.
20 FEB 1939 he Transferred to RS San Francisco for Discharge USS Pillsbury via USS Henderson
28 FEB 1939 Muster date USS Henderson
7 MAR 1939 Hon. Disch. KIP OF ENLISTMENT (character Good)
8 MAR 1939 Re-enlilsted, San Francisco California for four years
28 MAR 1939 Transferred to USS Trinity
30 MAR 1939 Rec. Ship, USS Trinity (crew) San Francisco, California for duty
31 MAR 1939 Muster date Trinity AO-13
28 JUL 1939 Received at US Naval Hospital, Canacao P.I.
31 JUL 1939 Sailed Out WT2c Naval Receiving Station, Cavite, Phillipines
16 AUG 1939 Transferred from USS Chaumont EFT Comdesron Five
25 SEP 1941 Received at US Naval Receiving Station, Cavite, Phillipines
30 SEP 1941 Muster out Edsall DD219
6 OCT 1941 Transferred to US Naval Hospital, Canacal PI
10 OCT 1941 Received from Naval Hospital Canacao P.I. to Naval Hospital Mare Island, California
11 OCT 1941 Passenger USS Henderson to Manila, P.I. to Guam, M.I.
31 OCT 1941 Naval Receiving Station, Cavite, Phillippines
2 NOV 1941 USS Henderson arrival at San Francisco, California
9 NOV 1941 Transfered to Naval Hospital, Mare Island, California, for treatment
30 NOV 1941 Naval Receiving Station, Cavite, Philippines
11 DEC 1941 Received on board USS Preston (DD 379) San Francisco, Calif., for duty
15 DEC 1941 USS Preston (DD379) from Navy Yard, Mare Island, California to not known
31 DEC 1941 sailed crew on USS Preston (DD379)
In the U.S., Navy Casualties Books, 1776-1941, Elmer's wife is listed as Mrs Estelle Richmond, 335 Hyde St, San Francisco
31 MAR 1942 USS Preston (DD379) crew
30 JUN 1942 USS Preston (DD379) crew
1 JUL 1942 Change of Rating WT2c to WT1c Adv. to fill vac. in allow. Auth: BuNav. C/L No. 1-42
20 JUL 1942 USS Preston DD379
30 SEP 1942 Muster Date USS Preston DD379
"Following shakedown, Preston operated briefly under the Chief of Naval Operations, then joined Battle Force, U.S. Fleet. Initially assigned to DesRon 2, then shifted to DesRon 5, she conducted peacetime training exercises in the Pacific until 7 December 1941. Patrol and coastal escort duties along the west coast kept Preston in the eastern Pacific until 1 June 1942. Then setting a westward course she headed for Hawaii in the screen of Saratoga. Arriving on the 6th, her group, TG 11.1, departed again the next day to rendezvous with TF 17 and deliver planes, pilots, and material to Enterprise and Hornet as that force refueled and rested after the Battle of Midway.
On the 13th, Preston returned to Pearl Harbor and for the next four months conducted type exercises and performed patrol and escort work in the Hawaiian area. She joined TF 16, 4 October, and on the 15th sailed for the Solomons. On the 24th, TF 16 rendezvoused with TF 17, formed TF 61, and continued on. Two days later, Preston, in the carrier screen, introduced her guns to the enemy at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. Splashing two planes, she emerged unscathed from her first engagement and retired to Noumea.
Rearmed, she headed back to the Solomons and her second, and last, fight.
[14 November 1942 was Elmer and Kay's 16th wedding anniversary]
On the evening of 14 November, Preston, with TF 64, sailed along the western end of Guadalcanal to intercept another Japanese run down the "Slot" to bombard Henderson Field and land reinforcements. Swinging around Savo Island, the force, two battleships preceded by four destroyers, entered the channel between Savo and Cape Esperance. At 2300, the battleship Washington picked up the enemy cruiser Sendai on her radar, and, at 2317, the 3rd Battle of Savo Island began.
Sendai, accompanied by the destroyer Shikinami, had been following the Americans, but 16" projectiles drove them off. Soon after, however, the battle was rejoined. The Japanese force had been dispersed and within minutes of the battleshipcruiser encounter, enemy destroyers, edging along the southern shore of Savo, entered the fray. Benham and Preston followed. Gwin, which had been firing illumination shells toward the earlier gunfire exchange, came into the action in time to sight the cruiser Nagara and 4 destroyers closing in. Farther out heavier Japanese ships were preparing to join in. The concentrated American destroyers were now central targets.
Approximately 8 minutes after the enemy was engaged, Walke was hit. Soon after, Preston, preparing her torpedoes, was struck. One salvo from Nagara had put both firerooms out and toppled the afterstack. Her fires made an easier target and shells came in from both port and starboard. The fires spread. At 2336, she was ordered abandoned. Seconds later she rolled on her side. She floated for another 10 minutes, bow in the air; then sank, taking 116 of her crew with her.
The battle continued. Gwin now became the target of Japanese guns. Shells exploded in an engineroom and on the fantail. At 2338, Walke's forecastle was blown off. Benham's bow was all but demolished; she would go down on the 15th. Walke, burning brightly, soon followed Preston to the Savo Island graveyard. At 2348, as the battleships took over, the remaining destoyers were ordered to retire. In the ensuing duel, Washington inflicted irreparable damage on the Japanese bombardment force and remained unscathed. South Dakota, however, was exposed by searchlight and took shells from that enemy force. The Japanese had again scored heavily, but in doing so had lost a battleship and a destroyer, and, more important, had abandoned their mission of bombarding Henderson Field into uselessness.
Preston (DD–379) earned two battle stars for World War II service."
http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/p11/preston-v.htm
Elmer was killed in action - declared "missing in action" - his body "non recoverable"
He was awarded the Purple Heart
At the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, November 12-15 1942 in the Solomon Islands, a total of 3,632 Americans and Japanese were killed. The battle turned back Japan's last major attempt to dislodge Allied forces from Guadalcanal and nearby Tulagi, resulting in a strategic victory for the U.S. and its allies and deciding the ultimate outcome of the Guadalcanal campaign in their favor.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Battle_of_Guadalcanal
San Francisco Chronicle, Thursday, December 31, 1942 page 5
Navy Casualties: Official Reports Show Twelve Bay Area Officer and Men Killed in Action
... "Elmer Richmond
Elmer Eugene Richmond, 37, watertender, was a veteran of 18 years service in the Navy.
His widow, Mrs. Estelle Richmond, lives at 335 Hyde Street. The couple were married April 2, 1942 in San Francisco.
Richmond was a native of Indiana. Other survivors are three sisters and a brother in Kansas City, Kansas.
His last letter to his wife was written October 31 and received by her November 9."
Name: Elmer E Richmond
Inducted From: California
Rank: Water Tender First Class
Combat Organization: United States Navy
Death Date: 15 Nov 1942
Monument: Fort William Mckinley, Manila, the Philippines
Last Known Status: Missing
U.S. Awards: Purple Heart Medal
** U.S., World War II Navy, Marine Corps, and Coast Guard Casualties, 1941-1945
Name: Elmer Eugene Richmond
Relative Name: Mrs. Estelle Richmon
Relative Relationship: Wife
State: California
Country: United States
Type of Casualty: Killed In Action
Roll: ww2c_27
** U.S., Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945
Name: Elmer E Richmond
Gender: Male
Race: White
Religion: No Record
Disposition: Nonrecoverable
Service Branch: Navy
Rank: Water Tender 1st Class
Service Number: 3416677
**U.S., World War II Military Personnel Missing In Action or Lost At Sea, 1941-1946
Name: Elmer E Richmond
Date of Loss: 15 Nov 1942
Branch: U.S. Navy
Rank: WT1
Service Number: 3416677
Status: Missing in Action
**U.S., Navy Casualties Books, 1776-1941
Name: Elmer Eugene Richmond
Residence Place: California, USA
Branch of Service: US Navy
Spouse: Estelle Richmond
Volume Title: Combat Naval Casualties, World War II, (AL-MO)
=======================================
Elmer was the youngest of six children and the 2nd son born to Madison Love "Matt" RICHMOND and Mary Jane DAVENPORT.
At some point his family moved to Texas, and then they moved from Texas to Kansas before 1913.
His father was killed 13 MAR 1913 in Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas, when Elmer was 11 years old.
1915 Census Kansas City, Wyandotte County, Kansas; age 13 living with his mother.
11 SEP 1918 He registered for WW1 Draft in Sapulpa, Creek County, Oklahoma. He gave his birthdate at 1899. He was 5' 11", with blue eyes and brown hair. He listed his mother as his nearest relative. And his occupation as Electrician / Western Electric Co., Sapulpa.
1919 NOV 15 Elmer departed Brest, France on the George Washington US WWI Troop Transport Ship. He is a Private #6418264; Military Unit: EMB. DET. ASC. BS#5. He arrived 25 NOV 1260 Hoboken, New Jersey. Hi mother Mary J. Richmond's address is listed as 1260 Wyoming Avenue, Kansas City, Kansas.
1920 Census Camp Dix, Burlington County, New Jersey; Occupation Soldier / Rigger - Camp Hospital; age 19; single
14 NOV 1926 he married Estelle "Kay" DILBECK
No children
1 APR 1932 he enlisted in the U.S. Navy at Philadelphia, PA.
20 FEB 1939 he Transferred to RS San Francisco for Discharge USS Pillsbury via USS Henderson
28 FEB 1939 Muster date USS Henderson
7 MAR 1939 Hon. Disch. KIP OF ENLISTMENT (character Good)
8 MAR 1939 Re-enlilsted, San Francisco California for four years
28 MAR 1939 Transferred to USS Trinity
30 MAR 1939 Rec. Ship, USS Trinity (crew) San Francisco, California for duty
31 MAR 1939 Muster date Trinity AO-13
28 JUL 1939 Received at US Naval Hospital, Canacao P.I.
31 JUL 1939 Sailed Out WT2c Naval Receiving Station, Cavite, Phillipines
16 AUG 1939 Transferred from USS Chaumont EFT Comdesron Five
25 SEP 1941 Received at US Naval Receiving Station, Cavite, Phillipines
30 SEP 1941 Muster out Edsall DD219
6 OCT 1941 Transferred to US Naval Hospital, Canacal PI
10 OCT 1941 Received from Naval Hospital Canacao P.I. to Naval Hospital Mare Island, California
11 OCT 1941 Passenger USS Henderson to Manila, P.I. to Guam, M.I.
31 OCT 1941 Naval Receiving Station, Cavite, Phillippines
2 NOV 1941 USS Henderson arrival at San Francisco, California
9 NOV 1941 Transfered to Naval Hospital, Mare Island, California, for treatment
30 NOV 1941 Naval Receiving Station, Cavite, Philippines
11 DEC 1941 Received on board USS Preston (DD 379) San Francisco, Calif., for duty
15 DEC 1941 USS Preston (DD379) from Navy Yard, Mare Island, California to not known
31 DEC 1941 sailed crew on USS Preston (DD379)
In the U.S., Navy Casualties Books, 1776-1941, Elmer's wife is listed as Mrs Estelle Richmond, 335 Hyde St, San Francisco
31 MAR 1942 USS Preston (DD379) crew
30 JUN 1942 USS Preston (DD379) crew
1 JUL 1942 Change of Rating WT2c to WT1c Adv. to fill vac. in allow. Auth: BuNav. C/L No. 1-42
20 JUL 1942 USS Preston DD379
30 SEP 1942 Muster Date USS Preston DD379
"Following shakedown, Preston operated briefly under the Chief of Naval Operations, then joined Battle Force, U.S. Fleet. Initially assigned to DesRon 2, then shifted to DesRon 5, she conducted peacetime training exercises in the Pacific until 7 December 1941. Patrol and coastal escort duties along the west coast kept Preston in the eastern Pacific until 1 June 1942. Then setting a westward course she headed for Hawaii in the screen of Saratoga. Arriving on the 6th, her group, TG 11.1, departed again the next day to rendezvous with TF 17 and deliver planes, pilots, and material to Enterprise and Hornet as that force refueled and rested after the Battle of Midway.
On the 13th, Preston returned to Pearl Harbor and for the next four months conducted type exercises and performed patrol and escort work in the Hawaiian area. She joined TF 16, 4 October, and on the 15th sailed for the Solomons. On the 24th, TF 16 rendezvoused with TF 17, formed TF 61, and continued on. Two days later, Preston, in the carrier screen, introduced her guns to the enemy at the Battle of the Santa Cruz Islands. Splashing two planes, she emerged unscathed from her first engagement and retired to Noumea.
Rearmed, she headed back to the Solomons and her second, and last, fight.
[14 November 1942 was Elmer and Kay's 16th wedding anniversary]
On the evening of 14 November, Preston, with TF 64, sailed along the western end of Guadalcanal to intercept another Japanese run down the "Slot" to bombard Henderson Field and land reinforcements. Swinging around Savo Island, the force, two battleships preceded by four destroyers, entered the channel between Savo and Cape Esperance. At 2300, the battleship Washington picked up the enemy cruiser Sendai on her radar, and, at 2317, the 3rd Battle of Savo Island began.
Sendai, accompanied by the destroyer Shikinami, had been following the Americans, but 16" projectiles drove them off. Soon after, however, the battle was rejoined. The Japanese force had been dispersed and within minutes of the battleshipcruiser encounter, enemy destroyers, edging along the southern shore of Savo, entered the fray. Benham and Preston followed. Gwin, which had been firing illumination shells toward the earlier gunfire exchange, came into the action in time to sight the cruiser Nagara and 4 destroyers closing in. Farther out heavier Japanese ships were preparing to join in. The concentrated American destroyers were now central targets.
Approximately 8 minutes after the enemy was engaged, Walke was hit. Soon after, Preston, preparing her torpedoes, was struck. One salvo from Nagara had put both firerooms out and toppled the afterstack. Her fires made an easier target and shells came in from both port and starboard. The fires spread. At 2336, she was ordered abandoned. Seconds later she rolled on her side. She floated for another 10 minutes, bow in the air; then sank, taking 116 of her crew with her.
The battle continued. Gwin now became the target of Japanese guns. Shells exploded in an engineroom and on the fantail. At 2338, Walke's forecastle was blown off. Benham's bow was all but demolished; she would go down on the 15th. Walke, burning brightly, soon followed Preston to the Savo Island graveyard. At 2348, as the battleships took over, the remaining destoyers were ordered to retire. In the ensuing duel, Washington inflicted irreparable damage on the Japanese bombardment force and remained unscathed. South Dakota, however, was exposed by searchlight and took shells from that enemy force. The Japanese had again scored heavily, but in doing so had lost a battleship and a destroyer, and, more important, had abandoned their mission of bombarding Henderson Field into uselessness.
Preston (DD–379) earned two battle stars for World War II service."
http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/p11/preston-v.htm
Elmer was killed in action - declared "missing in action" - his body "non recoverable"
He was awarded the Purple Heart
At the Naval Battle of Guadalcanal, November 12-15 1942 in the Solomon Islands, a total of 3,632 Americans and Japanese were killed. The battle turned back Japan's last major attempt to dislodge Allied forces from Guadalcanal and nearby Tulagi, resulting in a strategic victory for the U.S. and its allies and deciding the ultimate outcome of the Guadalcanal campaign in their favor.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Naval_Battle_of_Guadalcanal
San Francisco Chronicle, Thursday, December 31, 1942 page 5
Navy Casualties: Official Reports Show Twelve Bay Area Officer and Men Killed in Action
... "Elmer Richmond
Elmer Eugene Richmond, 37, watertender, was a veteran of 18 years service in the Navy.
His widow, Mrs. Estelle Richmond, lives at 335 Hyde Street. The couple were married April 2, 1942 in San Francisco.
Richmond was a native of Indiana. Other survivors are three sisters and a brother in Kansas City, Kansas.
His last letter to his wife was written October 31 and received by her November 9."
Inscription
This is a memorial. His body was not recovered.
There is also a plaque that honors him at the Memorial Building in Kansas City, Kansas
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from California.
Family Members
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