Deceased Crew Members

There are several question marks throughout our deceased crew member listings. Please message the web master if you can provide any missing information.


Alfred Ketchen, Ltjg 1953-54, plank owner, passed away September 30, 2011.

Johnny Baker, EN1 69-70, passed away August 3rd 2011. Johnny's obituary can be read here.

Jesse Lee Damron, SN 1954-1957, served as a coxswain and helmsman, passed away July 30th 2011 In Jasper, Alabama at the age of 75. Jesse also served aboard Walworth County, LST-1164.

John R. Smith, ???? ????, passed away 6/15/2011

Donald Lee "Pete" Williams,EN2 64-65, died October 9, 2010 following injuries received in a motor vehicle accident.

Thomas Edwin Myers, GMG3 1972, passed away October 3, 2010. Tom also served in two other branches of the armed forces, and can be found in the '72 cruise book.

Gene Leroy Besel, BMSN? 1970 to 1973, passed away July 22, 2010 due to natural causes.

Burton Gloyden Stewart, Jr., LTJG 8/55-8/57, died Saturday, July 24, 2010 of an asbestos related cancer.

Al Weatherill, EN2 67-69, passed away June 29, 2010. Al attended many of our reunions, including the first one in Pigeon Forge, TN., and will be missed by many shipmates and friends! Al's obituary.

Myron Dolgin (53-54), plank owner, ? recently passed away (date and year not known)

James (Jim) Ivey, BM3 4/65-10/66, passed away on February 20,2010.

Bill Kirk, ???, passed away in April, 2009 due to liver cancer while waiting for a transplant.

Gerald (Jerry) Maloy, RM1 69-72, passed away March 2, 2009. We were honored to have Jerry attend our first two reunions, and he certainly will be missed!

Steven Osinek, BMSN 62-63?, passed away a few years ago - date not known - 200?. Steve lived in the Sacramento, California area.

George Read, FN 62-64, passed away recently - date not known - 200?. George lived in Scottsdale, AZ.

Commander Kenneth Gustafson (USN RET), LST 1166 QMSN and plank owner 53-54 passed away September 18, 2008

Gasper W. Ingui, PO1 12/57, passed away 11/1/07 in an auto accident

Commander A.C. Lassiter Jr., Washtenaw's captain 58-59, passed away July 28,2007. CDR Lassiter also served as CO of USS Maddox (DD-731), taking command three weeks after she was involved in the Gulf of Tonkin incident. He went on to serve as Commodore of LANSHIPRON 9 09/1965-11/1967.

Robert Kubiszewski, Executive Officer 57-59, passed away on July 16, 2006 from heart valve problems.

Jeff Lourigan, ???, passed away in April 2006 from complications associated with diabetes.

John Carl, RDSN 5/70-4/71, passed away November, 2004

Larry Korup, PN2 62-65?, passed away in 2004 from non hodgkins lymphoma more than likely due to agent orange.

Lt. Gary Palmer, Washtenaw's Supply Officer 66-68, passed away recently (2004?)

Lt. Commander Roger C. Smallwood, Washtenaw's captain 69-70, passed away May 13, 2004. Please click on the link to read his obituary. The family has requested that anyone with photos of Captain Smallwood taken during his service aboard Washtenaw please contact Kevin at webdfeet@knology.net

Commander Frederick M. Wissing, Washtenaw's Engineering Officer 65-67, passed away January 15, 2002. Fred's obituary from his alma mater, Saint Ignatius High School, can be read here.

W. L. Trahan, EMC 72?, passed away - date not known.

Gene Hamby, Plank owner 53-56, passed away in 2002.

Richard Parker, ?, passed away in 2002.

Alan B. Harvey Jr., Lt. Commander and Washtenaw's first Executive Officer 53-55. Passed away in 2001.

Harold Hill, ENC 69-72, died 2000?

Bill Hill, EMC ?, died 1990's?

Fred Smith, EN 67-68, passed away on January 30, 1999 from lung cancer. Fred's family can be reached at 2104 E. Elm Street, Enid, Oklahoma - 73701.

Lawrence Larson, EM1 68?-?, died 1999?

Don R. Mack, PN1 1972?, passed away September 12,1994

Frank Clark, Lt. Commander and ship's captain 70-72, died August 18, 1994. He retired at the rank of Captain in 1984, and his obituary can be found here.

Bob Stewart, GMGC ??, passed away April 19, 1992.

Norman Eckhardt, GMG1 69-72, died ?

Charles Gore, GMG3 ?, died ?

Joe Okeefe, ?, died ?

Rich Carle, ???, died 1976

James C. Mullis III, EN3 72-?, died September, 1974 in a car accident.

SM3 Wayne DePonte, SM 70-72, died August 1972 in Hawaii.

Patrick Delaney, SH3 67-68, died April, 1968 in Thailand while on R&R.

Jim Moshier, RD2, early 60's - was killed in Vietnam June 11, 1967 when his helicopter was shot down. Jim left the Navy when his enlistment was up, but he ended up joining the Marine Corps in 1966. He was sent to Viet Nam, and was listed as MIA/presumed KIA until 2007 when his body was identified after being returned home in 2005. His obituary and story can be read here. His Virtual Wall listing can be found here, here, and details of his loss can be found here.

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