Walter T. Welisch, Jr.
Soundman, Second Class, U.S. Navy, Service # 8864727
United States Naval Reserve
Entered the Service from: California
Missing in Action: 02 May 1945 on a minesweeper (YMS 481), sunk by Japanese shore batteries off Tarakan, Borneo, Dutch East Indies in position 03º27'N, 117º32'E., now Indonesia
Officially Declared Dead: 03 May 1946
1930 US Census (09 April 1930): San Francisco (Block 36), San Francisco County, California (sheet 14B, family 335) - Walter Welisch (17 California).
1940 US Census (26 April 1940): San Francisco, San Francisco County, California (sheet 4A, 289 29th Ave) - Walter T. Welisch Jr (27 California). He was single and had completed one year of college. His father was a rice broker and he was working as secretary.
His father founded the W&W Rice Company in San Francisco which became the National Rice Company run by his brother, Jack Welisch.
Walter married Ruth Skinner of San Francisco. A daughter, Linda Margaret was born 14 October 1942 in Marin County, California.
He enlisted in the US Navy on 24 April 1943, San Francisco, California. Walter was assigned to the Minesweeper (YMS 481). The Auxiliary Motor Minesweeper (YMS 481) was launched 01 January 1944 and commissioned 21 April 1944. She was 136 ft long and displaced 207 tons.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Roll
21 Apr 1944 YMS-481 - SoM3c Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) enlisted 24 April 1943, San Francisco, Calif. V-6 (SV) received 21 April 1944 PSNY, Bremerton, Washington.
30 Jun 1944 YMS-481 - SoM3c Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) Date of enlistment 24 April 1943, Date first received on board, 21 April 1944.
The YMS-481 was a 136 foot wooden hull boat with a crew of 28 enlisted men and 4 officers. The main deck up was made of plywood. The ship was capable of cutting the mines loose and as they surfaced the mine was shot with the ship's guns: 3" or two 20mm. The minesweeper could also let out electrical cables and an electrical charge would also explode the mines. It also had a large air hammer which was lowered and used against sound detonated mines. The Japanese mines were either contact, electrical or sound detonated. The YMS-481 practiced its mission around San Francisco for two months and then entered the Pacific theater and the war against Japan.
30 Sep 1944 YMS-481 - SoM3c Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) Date of enlistment 24 April 1943, San Francisco, Calif.
07 Oct 1944 YMS-481 sailing from Funafuti Island to Operational Area - SoM23c Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) Date of enlistment 24 April 1943, San Francisco, Calif. SV-6 Change of Rating 01 October 1944 FROM: SoM3c to SoM2c (T). AUTH: BuPers C/L 134-44
The "ship participated in six operations in the Philippines of which four were invasions. They swept Subic Bay clear of mines on one of their first operations in the Philippines. His ship went in six days before the Luzon invasion and swept for mines. They didn't find any. He learned later that the Philippines would get the mines and remove the detonators and use them for blasting fish.
31 Mar 1945 YMS-481 - SoM2c Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) Date first received on board, 21 April 1944.
The next invasion was Borneo in Indonesia. The day after the invasion YMS-481 and four other minesweepers were clearing the channel when Japanese shore batteries opened up on them. The ships in front and behind the YMS-481 were damaged. The YMS-481 was sunk." Source WWII Veterans and Their Story - Seaman 1st Class Arthur Jansen, US Navy, YMS-481 Minesweeper, Pacific Theater
____________________________________________________________________________
Between 27 April and 8 May 1945, the USS Cofer operated as flagship and covering vessel for minesweeper clearing the waters off Tarakan Island Borneo in support of the invasion on 1 May. On 3 May, as the group swept the straits to prepare for motor torpedo boat operations off Cape Djoeata concealed artillery battery sank YMS-481 and damaged YMS-364 and YMS-334. Cofer destroyed the batteries and rescued 19 survivors of YMS-481. Source: http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c10/cofer.htm
Soundman, Second Class, Walter T. Welisch, Jr. was not one of the men rescued.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Roll: 2 May 1945 YMS-481 - SoM2c (T) Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) SV6 Missing 02 May 1945
A U.S. Minesweeper Is Lost in Action
WASHINGTON, May 24 "The navy announced today the motor minesweeper YMS 481 has been lost in the Philippines as a result of enemy action. Casualties among the ship's complement, normally about 30 officers and men, were described as moderate. The vessel's skipper, Lieutenant (jg) Theron O. Anglin, son of H. E. Anglin, Wadley. Ga., was reported wounded in action. Next of kin of all casualties have been notified. The loss brought to 309 the total of all United States naval vessels lost since the start of the war. The YMS 481 was commissioned April 21, 1944" Source: The Fresno Bee, The Republican, Thursday, 24 May 1945, page 10.
U.S., Navy Casualties World War II, California Dead: WELISCH, Walter T., Jr., Soundman 2c, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Ruth S. Welisch, 54 Ross Valley Dr., San Rafael.
Mrs Walter T. Welisch (Ruth Skinner) of San Francisco, son Jack and daughters, Mrs. Edward Taylor & Mrs. Irving Warner and another son, David.
January 1950 - "Jack is the son of Mrs Walter T. Welisch of San Francisco and the late Mr. Welisch. He has two sisters, Mrs. Edward Taylor of Menlo Park and Mrs. Irving Warner of San Francisco, and a brother, David." Jack Welisch and Marion Johnson wedding announcement.
Ruth S. Welisch later married Harry Mayer.
Soundman, Second Class, U.S. Navy, Service # 8864727
United States Naval Reserve
Entered the Service from: California
Missing in Action: 02 May 1945 on a minesweeper (YMS 481), sunk by Japanese shore batteries off Tarakan, Borneo, Dutch East Indies in position 03º27'N, 117º32'E., now Indonesia
Officially Declared Dead: 03 May 1946
1930 US Census (09 April 1930): San Francisco (Block 36), San Francisco County, California (sheet 14B, family 335) - Walter Welisch (17 California).
1940 US Census (26 April 1940): San Francisco, San Francisco County, California (sheet 4A, 289 29th Ave) - Walter T. Welisch Jr (27 California). He was single and had completed one year of college. His father was a rice broker and he was working as secretary.
His father founded the W&W Rice Company in San Francisco which became the National Rice Company run by his brother, Jack Welisch.
Walter married Ruth Skinner of San Francisco. A daughter, Linda Margaret was born 14 October 1942 in Marin County, California.
He enlisted in the US Navy on 24 April 1943, San Francisco, California. Walter was assigned to the Minesweeper (YMS 481). The Auxiliary Motor Minesweeper (YMS 481) was launched 01 January 1944 and commissioned 21 April 1944. She was 136 ft long and displaced 207 tons.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Roll
21 Apr 1944 YMS-481 - SoM3c Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) enlisted 24 April 1943, San Francisco, Calif. V-6 (SV) received 21 April 1944 PSNY, Bremerton, Washington.
30 Jun 1944 YMS-481 - SoM3c Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) Date of enlistment 24 April 1943, Date first received on board, 21 April 1944.
The YMS-481 was a 136 foot wooden hull boat with a crew of 28 enlisted men and 4 officers. The main deck up was made of plywood. The ship was capable of cutting the mines loose and as they surfaced the mine was shot with the ship's guns: 3" or two 20mm. The minesweeper could also let out electrical cables and an electrical charge would also explode the mines. It also had a large air hammer which was lowered and used against sound detonated mines. The Japanese mines were either contact, electrical or sound detonated. The YMS-481 practiced its mission around San Francisco for two months and then entered the Pacific theater and the war against Japan.
30 Sep 1944 YMS-481 - SoM3c Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) Date of enlistment 24 April 1943, San Francisco, Calif.
07 Oct 1944 YMS-481 sailing from Funafuti Island to Operational Area - SoM23c Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) Date of enlistment 24 April 1943, San Francisco, Calif. SV-6 Change of Rating 01 October 1944 FROM: SoM3c to SoM2c (T). AUTH: BuPers C/L 134-44
The "ship participated in six operations in the Philippines of which four were invasions. They swept Subic Bay clear of mines on one of their first operations in the Philippines. His ship went in six days before the Luzon invasion and swept for mines. They didn't find any. He learned later that the Philippines would get the mines and remove the detonators and use them for blasting fish.
31 Mar 1945 YMS-481 - SoM2c Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) Date first received on board, 21 April 1944.
The next invasion was Borneo in Indonesia. The day after the invasion YMS-481 and four other minesweepers were clearing the channel when Japanese shore batteries opened up on them. The ships in front and behind the YMS-481 were damaged. The YMS-481 was sunk." Source WWII Veterans and Their Story - Seaman 1st Class Arthur Jansen, US Navy, YMS-481 Minesweeper, Pacific Theater
____________________________________________________________________________
Between 27 April and 8 May 1945, the USS Cofer operated as flagship and covering vessel for minesweeper clearing the waters off Tarakan Island Borneo in support of the invasion on 1 May. On 3 May, as the group swept the straits to prepare for motor torpedo boat operations off Cape Djoeata concealed artillery battery sank YMS-481 and damaged YMS-364 and YMS-334. Cofer destroyed the batteries and rescued 19 survivors of YMS-481. Source: http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c10/cofer.htm
Soundman, Second Class, Walter T. Welisch, Jr. was not one of the men rescued.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Roll: 2 May 1945 YMS-481 - SoM2c (T) Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) SV6 Missing 02 May 1945
A U.S. Minesweeper Is Lost in Action
WASHINGTON, May 24 "The navy announced today the motor minesweeper YMS 481 has been lost in the Philippines as a result of enemy action. Casualties among the ship's complement, normally about 30 officers and men, were described as moderate. The vessel's skipper, Lieutenant (jg) Theron O. Anglin, son of H. E. Anglin, Wadley. Ga., was reported wounded in action. Next of kin of all casualties have been notified. The loss brought to 309 the total of all United States naval vessels lost since the start of the war. The YMS 481 was commissioned April 21, 1944" Source: The Fresno Bee, The Republican, Thursday, 24 May 1945, page 10.
U.S., Navy Casualties World War II, California Dead: WELISCH, Walter T., Jr., Soundman 2c, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Ruth S. Welisch, 54 Ross Valley Dr., San Rafael.
Mrs Walter T. Welisch (Ruth Skinner) of San Francisco, son Jack and daughters, Mrs. Edward Taylor & Mrs. Irving Warner and another son, David.
January 1950 - "Jack is the son of Mrs Walter T. Welisch of San Francisco and the late Mr. Welisch. He has two sisters, Mrs. Edward Taylor of Menlo Park and Mrs. Irving Warner of San Francisco, and a brother, David." Jack Welisch and Marion Johnson wedding announcement.
Ruth S. Welisch later married Harry Mayer.
Walter T. Welisch, Jr.
Soundman, Second Class, U.S. Navy, Service # 8864727
United States Naval Reserve
Entered the Service from: California
Missing in Action: 02 May 1945 on a minesweeper (YMS 481), sunk by Japanese shore batteries off Tarakan, Borneo, Dutch East Indies in position 03º27'N, 117º32'E., now Indonesia
Officially Declared Dead: 03 May 1946
1930 US Census (09 April 1930): San Francisco (Block 36), San Francisco County, California (sheet 14B, family 335) - Walter Welisch (17 California).
1940 US Census (26 April 1940): San Francisco, San Francisco County, California (sheet 4A, 289 29th Ave) - Walter T. Welisch Jr (27 California). He was single and had completed one year of college. His father was a rice broker and he was working as secretary.
His father founded the W&W Rice Company in San Francisco which became the National Rice Company run by his brother, Jack Welisch.
Walter married Ruth Skinner of San Francisco. A daughter, Linda Margaret was born 14 October 1942 in Marin County, California.
He enlisted in the US Navy on 24 April 1943, San Francisco, California. Walter was assigned to the Minesweeper (YMS 481). The Auxiliary Motor Minesweeper (YMS 481) was launched 01 January 1944 and commissioned 21 April 1944. She was 136 ft long and displaced 207 tons.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Roll
21 Apr 1944 YMS-481 - SoM3c Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) enlisted 24 April 1943, San Francisco, Calif. V-6 (SV) received 21 April 1944 PSNY, Bremerton, Washington.
30 Jun 1944 YMS-481 - SoM3c Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) Date of enlistment 24 April 1943, Date first received on board, 21 April 1944.
The YMS-481 was a 136 foot wooden hull boat with a crew of 28 enlisted men and 4 officers. The main deck up was made of plywood. The ship was capable of cutting the mines loose and as they surfaced the mine was shot with the ship's guns: 3" or two 20mm. The minesweeper could also let out electrical cables and an electrical charge would also explode the mines. It also had a large air hammer which was lowered and used against sound detonated mines. The Japanese mines were either contact, electrical or sound detonated. The YMS-481 practiced its mission around San Francisco for two months and then entered the Pacific theater and the war against Japan.
30 Sep 1944 YMS-481 - SoM3c Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) Date of enlistment 24 April 1943, San Francisco, Calif.
07 Oct 1944 YMS-481 sailing from Funafuti Island to Operational Area - SoM23c Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) Date of enlistment 24 April 1943, San Francisco, Calif. SV-6 Change of Rating 01 October 1944 FROM: SoM3c to SoM2c (T). AUTH: BuPers C/L 134-44
The "ship participated in six operations in the Philippines of which four were invasions. They swept Subic Bay clear of mines on one of their first operations in the Philippines. His ship went in six days before the Luzon invasion and swept for mines. They didn't find any. He learned later that the Philippines would get the mines and remove the detonators and use them for blasting fish.
31 Mar 1945 YMS-481 - SoM2c Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) Date first received on board, 21 April 1944.
The next invasion was Borneo in Indonesia. The day after the invasion YMS-481 and four other minesweepers were clearing the channel when Japanese shore batteries opened up on them. The ships in front and behind the YMS-481 were damaged. The YMS-481 was sunk." Source WWII Veterans and Their Story - Seaman 1st Class Arthur Jansen, US Navy, YMS-481 Minesweeper, Pacific Theater
____________________________________________________________________________
Between 27 April and 8 May 1945, the USS Cofer operated as flagship and covering vessel for minesweeper clearing the waters off Tarakan Island Borneo in support of the invasion on 1 May. On 3 May, as the group swept the straits to prepare for motor torpedo boat operations off Cape Djoeata concealed artillery battery sank YMS-481 and damaged YMS-364 and YMS-334. Cofer destroyed the batteries and rescued 19 survivors of YMS-481. Source: http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c10/cofer.htm
Soundman, Second Class, Walter T. Welisch, Jr. was not one of the men rescued.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Roll: 2 May 1945 YMS-481 - SoM2c (T) Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) SV6 Missing 02 May 1945
A U.S. Minesweeper Is Lost in Action
WASHINGTON, May 24 "The navy announced today the motor minesweeper YMS 481 has been lost in the Philippines as a result of enemy action. Casualties among the ship's complement, normally about 30 officers and men, were described as moderate. The vessel's skipper, Lieutenant (jg) Theron O. Anglin, son of H. E. Anglin, Wadley. Ga., was reported wounded in action. Next of kin of all casualties have been notified. The loss brought to 309 the total of all United States naval vessels lost since the start of the war. The YMS 481 was commissioned April 21, 1944" Source: The Fresno Bee, The Republican, Thursday, 24 May 1945, page 10.
U.S., Navy Casualties World War II, California Dead: WELISCH, Walter T., Jr., Soundman 2c, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Ruth S. Welisch, 54 Ross Valley Dr., San Rafael.
Mrs Walter T. Welisch (Ruth Skinner) of San Francisco, son Jack and daughters, Mrs. Edward Taylor & Mrs. Irving Warner and another son, David.
January 1950 - "Jack is the son of Mrs Walter T. Welisch of San Francisco and the late Mr. Welisch. He has two sisters, Mrs. Edward Taylor of Menlo Park and Mrs. Irving Warner of San Francisco, and a brother, David." Jack Welisch and Marion Johnson wedding announcement.
Ruth S. Welisch later married Harry Mayer.
Soundman, Second Class, U.S. Navy, Service # 8864727
United States Naval Reserve
Entered the Service from: California
Missing in Action: 02 May 1945 on a minesweeper (YMS 481), sunk by Japanese shore batteries off Tarakan, Borneo, Dutch East Indies in position 03º27'N, 117º32'E., now Indonesia
Officially Declared Dead: 03 May 1946
1930 US Census (09 April 1930): San Francisco (Block 36), San Francisco County, California (sheet 14B, family 335) - Walter Welisch (17 California).
1940 US Census (26 April 1940): San Francisco, San Francisco County, California (sheet 4A, 289 29th Ave) - Walter T. Welisch Jr (27 California). He was single and had completed one year of college. His father was a rice broker and he was working as secretary.
His father founded the W&W Rice Company in San Francisco which became the National Rice Company run by his brother, Jack Welisch.
Walter married Ruth Skinner of San Francisco. A daughter, Linda Margaret was born 14 October 1942 in Marin County, California.
He enlisted in the US Navy on 24 April 1943, San Francisco, California. Walter was assigned to the Minesweeper (YMS 481). The Auxiliary Motor Minesweeper (YMS 481) was launched 01 January 1944 and commissioned 21 April 1944. She was 136 ft long and displaced 207 tons.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Roll
21 Apr 1944 YMS-481 - SoM3c Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) enlisted 24 April 1943, San Francisco, Calif. V-6 (SV) received 21 April 1944 PSNY, Bremerton, Washington.
30 Jun 1944 YMS-481 - SoM3c Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) Date of enlistment 24 April 1943, Date first received on board, 21 April 1944.
The YMS-481 was a 136 foot wooden hull boat with a crew of 28 enlisted men and 4 officers. The main deck up was made of plywood. The ship was capable of cutting the mines loose and as they surfaced the mine was shot with the ship's guns: 3" or two 20mm. The minesweeper could also let out electrical cables and an electrical charge would also explode the mines. It also had a large air hammer which was lowered and used against sound detonated mines. The Japanese mines were either contact, electrical or sound detonated. The YMS-481 practiced its mission around San Francisco for two months and then entered the Pacific theater and the war against Japan.
30 Sep 1944 YMS-481 - SoM3c Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) Date of enlistment 24 April 1943, San Francisco, Calif.
07 Oct 1944 YMS-481 sailing from Funafuti Island to Operational Area - SoM23c Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) Date of enlistment 24 April 1943, San Francisco, Calif. SV-6 Change of Rating 01 October 1944 FROM: SoM3c to SoM2c (T). AUTH: BuPers C/L 134-44
The "ship participated in six operations in the Philippines of which four were invasions. They swept Subic Bay clear of mines on one of their first operations in the Philippines. His ship went in six days before the Luzon invasion and swept for mines. They didn't find any. He learned later that the Philippines would get the mines and remove the detonators and use them for blasting fish.
31 Mar 1945 YMS-481 - SoM2c Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) Date first received on board, 21 April 1944.
The next invasion was Borneo in Indonesia. The day after the invasion YMS-481 and four other minesweepers were clearing the channel when Japanese shore batteries opened up on them. The ships in front and behind the YMS-481 were damaged. The YMS-481 was sunk." Source WWII Veterans and Their Story - Seaman 1st Class Arthur Jansen, US Navy, YMS-481 Minesweeper, Pacific Theater
____________________________________________________________________________
Between 27 April and 8 May 1945, the USS Cofer operated as flagship and covering vessel for minesweeper clearing the waters off Tarakan Island Borneo in support of the invasion on 1 May. On 3 May, as the group swept the straits to prepare for motor torpedo boat operations off Cape Djoeata concealed artillery battery sank YMS-481 and damaged YMS-364 and YMS-334. Cofer destroyed the batteries and rescued 19 survivors of YMS-481. Source: http://www.history.navy.mil/danfs/c10/cofer.htm
Soundman, Second Class, Walter T. Welisch, Jr. was not one of the men rescued.
U.S. World War II Navy Muster Roll: 2 May 1945 YMS-481 - SoM2c (T) Walter "T" Welisch Jr. (8864727) SV6 Missing 02 May 1945
A U.S. Minesweeper Is Lost in Action
WASHINGTON, May 24 "The navy announced today the motor minesweeper YMS 481 has been lost in the Philippines as a result of enemy action. Casualties among the ship's complement, normally about 30 officers and men, were described as moderate. The vessel's skipper, Lieutenant (jg) Theron O. Anglin, son of H. E. Anglin, Wadley. Ga., was reported wounded in action. Next of kin of all casualties have been notified. The loss brought to 309 the total of all United States naval vessels lost since the start of the war. The YMS 481 was commissioned April 21, 1944" Source: The Fresno Bee, The Republican, Thursday, 24 May 1945, page 10.
U.S., Navy Casualties World War II, California Dead: WELISCH, Walter T., Jr., Soundman 2c, USNR. Wife, Mrs. Ruth S. Welisch, 54 Ross Valley Dr., San Rafael.
Mrs Walter T. Welisch (Ruth Skinner) of San Francisco, son Jack and daughters, Mrs. Edward Taylor & Mrs. Irving Warner and another son, David.
January 1950 - "Jack is the son of Mrs Walter T. Welisch of San Francisco and the late Mr. Welisch. He has two sisters, Mrs. Edward Taylor of Menlo Park and Mrs. Irving Warner of San Francisco, and a brother, David." Jack Welisch and Marion Johnson wedding announcement.
Ruth S. Welisch later married Harry Mayer.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from California.
Family Members
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