GROVER T. McMICHAEL

   Grover McMichael passed away on May 2, 2023 at his home in Sequim, Washington. Just a few weeks shy of his 100th birthday in June, he was the last know surviving shipmate of the Emmons.

   Grover, who boarded the ship in November, 1942, served as a Sonarman 3c. In June, 2015, having participated with his shipmates in the 1944 Normandy Invasion and bombardment of Cherbourg, the French Consul General bestowed upon him, at the Georgia State Capital, the Legion of Honour Medal. The medal is the highest distinction France can confer on a citizen or a foreigner.

   He was known among his Emmons Family as a true patriot with a keen wit and wonderful sense of humor. He lived to share the Emmons story with everyone from students, through his visits to the Newnan, Georgia, high school, to his friends and neighbors. Regarding his educating the students, Grover stated, “I want the young people to understand and know what went on at the time.”

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MATTHEW R. MORGAN

   Staff Sergeant Matthew Morgan, a dive instructor for the U.S. Army stationed in Okinawa, lost his life in a diving accident February 2, 2020, while leading three other divers on a recreational dive at the Emmons site.

   Matthew served as an Allied Trades Specialist and Welder at Joint Base Lewis-McChord and deployed to Kandahar Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom in 2012. In 2014, he was assigned to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa and transitioned into the Acquisitions Corps in 2018 where he helped manage contracts with vendors in the South Pacific.

   Matthew, 30 years old from Palatine, Illinois, used his expertise as a diver to train others in the technical aspects of diving while also sharing the Emmons story. His wife, Amanda, led a Memorial Service on the water above the Emmons site on June 28, 2023, and shared with us her tribute to her fallen husband. Click here to read the tribute.

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CHARLES J. BONHAGE

   Daughter Colleen notified us of the recent passing of her father, Charles Bonhage. Charles was the brother of shipmate Joe Bonhage, who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country aboard the Emmons at Okinawa.

   Charles, himself a submariner in the Navy reserves, was a long-time supporter of the Emmons Association as evidenced, among other things, by routinely being the first to remit his dues each year.

   Ten years younger than his brother Joe, Charles told of how he came home one evening to find his sister was home by herself when the Western Union notice arrived regarding Joe's death.

   Charles passed away August 21, 2022 at the age of 91.

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LORENE VEAL

    On January 25, 2022, Lorene Veal, widow of shipmate Clyne Veal, passed away. They had been married 67 years at the time of Clyne’s death in 2016.

    Several years ago Lorene, of Buford, Georgia, shared with us her family’s pride in her husband’s humility regarding his service and how he was one of the last off the  Emmons at Okinawa as he rendered care to his injured shipmates. She was 93.

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MADELINE BASILE

    Daughter Jacqueline notified us recently that her mother, Madeline Basile, 96, passed away January 11, 2022, having been under hospice care during her struggle with advanced stages of dementia.

    Madeline and late husband, shipmate Frank Basile, were long-time supporters of the Association’s efforts. Madeline continued attending Emmons Family reunions until her declining health precluded it. Daughter Jacqueline expressed how her mother greatly enjoyed the reunions and camaraderie shared among everyone there.

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GEORGE C. FLORY

   Shipmate George Flory passed away November 20, 2021 in Sarasota, Florida. As Electrician’s Mate 3rd Class, George was a Plank Owner, serving aboard the Emmons 12/5/41 into late 1942.

   George and wife Carol attended reunions regularly until health issues made the trip difficult for several years. His children, Michael and Susan, also attended and accompanied him most recently to the 2019 Gettysburg reunion, as well as the 2020 and 2021 Zoom virtual reunions.

   Son Michael shared that his father was extremely proud of his service with the Emmons along with the camaraderie of his shipmates.

   George was always one to greet you with a warm smile. He was 98 years old.

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ANTHONY S. ESPOSITO

    The Emmons Family mourns the October 8, 2021, passing of Seaman 1st Class Tony Esposito at the age of 97. As a plank owner and survivor of the Okinawa attack, Tony served aboard the Emmons from her December 5, 1941, commissioning to April 6, 1945.

    Beloved Association members Tony and, until her passing in 2013, wife Betty, attended and hosted reunions and enthusiastically supported our efforts of preserving the memory of his lost shipmates.

    Tony’s smile and warm personality will surely be missed.

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PETER F. CIPARELLI

   Daughter Jessica notified us of the passing of her father, Peter Ciparelli, August 22, 2021,  following a valiant fight against cancer. He was 69.

   Peter and his late wife, Wendy (Jolly) Ciparelli, arranged and hosted several reunions and were active and passionate supporters of the Association’s efforts throughout the years.

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​JAMES A. ANTHONY

   An internet search revealed the passing of Emmons shipmate James Anthony back on February 7, 2020.  Jim, Gunner's Mate 1c, boarded the Emmons August 12, 1943 and served on the ship until the latter part of 1944.

   Jim lived in Norfolk, VA, and continued serving our country through the Army Corps of Engineers until his retirement. He was very proud of his service time, always one to share his many Navy stories with others. He was 96.

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​CHARLES E. UNTERBERGER

   Kathy Unterberger notified us that her father, shipmate Charles Unterberger, passed away in March, 2021. Charles served as an Apprentice Seaman, going aboard the Emmons in September 1942. He was 96.

   Kathy told us how proud her father was to have served and how he often spoke of his time aboard the Emmons and of his buddies who meant so much to him.

   Charles was fittingly buried with military funeral honors, including a flag presentation, taps and 21-gun salute. Out of the kindness of other veterans, each of his seven children were presented American flags.

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ARMAND J. JOLLY

   Armand Jolly, president of the Emmons Association, died peacefully December 26, 2020, at the age of 98. A resident of Pomfret Center, CT, he recovered remarkably well from a stroke in 2019, allowing him to attend the Gettysburg reunion. At the time of his death he was recovering from another suffered in March, 2020.

   Armand served aboard the Emmons as a Gunner’s Mate from September, 1942, to the attack at Okinawa, in which he was a wounded survivor.

   He served as vice president of the Emmons Association from 1990 to 2004, then took over as president in 2005. Under his leadership, the Association experienced significant growth and strengthening relationships among generations of the Emmons Family, as well as the establishment of the Lt. John J. Griffin/USS Emmons Memorial Scholarship, providing educational assistance to Emmons Family members.

   Armand’s love of life, family and all things Emmons will truly be missed. His obituary can be viewed here.

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GEORGE W. AVERY, JR.

   Lynn Avery notified us that her father, Emmons shipmate George W. Avery, Jr. passed away peacefully in his sleep December 23rd, 2020. He was 94.

   George, of Cordele, Georgia, went aboard the Emmons in December, 1944, serving as a Fireman. He was a survivor of the April 6, 1945, attack at Okinawa and was a long-time supporter of our efforts to preserve the Emmons legacy and honor his lost shipmates.

   Following WWII, George continued his service to his country during the Korean Conflict. His obituary can be viewed here.

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RITA BLUMER

   Rita Blumer, widow of USS Emmons shipmate Arthur L. Blumer, passed away July 11th at the age of 95. Residents of Allison Park, PA, Rita and Art hosted the 1996 and 2004 reunions in Pittsburgh. Both were regular attendees at reunions until declining health limited their travel.

    Following Art's passing in 2014, Rita made one final visit with her Emmons Family at the 2015 reunion in Groton, CT, along with daughters Deborah, Lisa and Amy.

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EUNICE KAMINSKY

   Sue Kaminsky notified us of the passing of her grandmother, Eunice Kaminsky, on May 7, 2020. Eunice was the sister of shipmate Kenneth Jacoboski, Machinist's Mate 3c.

   Kenneth went aboard the Emmons July 1944 and was among those who gave their lives for their country April 1945 off the shore of Okinawa, Japan.

   With the help of her granddaughter Sue, Eunice discovered the Emmons Association in 2011 and has been an avid supporter of our efforts ever since.

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CHRISTINE YARBROUGH

   Christine Yarbrough passed away suddenly April 30, 2020, having recently been diagnosed with cancer. Christine was the granddaughter of shipmate Tony Esposito and daughter of Mike Esposito. 

   Christine, husband Mike and son Patrick, were among the large contingent of Tony's family to attend the 2011 USS Emmons reunion in Newburgh, NY. The Emmons Association extends its sincere condolences to the Esposito family.

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SHIRLEY STANCHEVA

   We received word that Shirley Stancheva unexpectedly passed away March 4, 2020. In the two short years we've known her since she attended her first reunion, Shirley became a true friend and avid supporter of the Emmons Association.

   Shirley wowed everyone with the USS Emmons quilt she made and provided as a raffle prize for the 2019 Gettysburg reunion scholarship raffle. Over the years, she routinely showed her appreciation and respect for those who served by making quilts for veterans of our Armed Services, including shipmates of the USS Emmons.

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CLARENCE CHANTLIN

   Shipmate Clarence Chantlin, 94, passed away March 3, 2020. Clarence went aboard the Emmons on February 7, 1944, participating in the Normandy invasion, the Battle of Cherbourg, the assault on Southern France and finally Okinawa. As Steward's Mate 2nd Class, he was a survivor of the Okinawa attack.

   A resident of Lake Charles, Louisiana, Clarence and the Emmons Association found one another in 2018 when we learned his American Legion Post 551 was holding a special ceremony honoring his WWII service.

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JOSEPHINE F. MORROW

   Long-time supporter and Emmons family member Josephine Morrow passed away February 20, 2020, at the age of 89. Josephine was the sister of Emmons Seaman 1c O'Neil Infanto, who made the ultimate sacrifice for his country aboard the Emmons at Okinawa, Japan, April 6, 1945.

   Having attended reunions in the past, Josephine last joined with her Emmons family at the Buffalo reunion in 2017. There, the proud grandmother was on hand as her grandson, Isaac Bird, accepted his Griffin/Emmons scholarship award honoring his great uncle O'Neil.

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EDWARD T. MONAHAN, SR.

   We recently received word from son Michael Monahan that his father, shipmate Edward T. Monahan, passed away in 1993. Ed was a plank owner and served aboard the Emmons as Seaman 1c until the latter part of 1943.

   Ed's death halted plans in the works that year for him to attend his first reunion. Michael expressed his appreciation for the work done by the Emmons Association over the years honoring the service of his father and all the Emmons shipmates.

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JAMES G. QUEEN

   James Queen passed away December 9, 2019. A resident of Valdese, NC, he was 96 and was appropriately buried with military honors.

   James served on destroyers during WWII, including as Seaman 1c aboard the Emmons from January, 1943 until late 1943.

   Many of us were honored to have met James at the 2015 Washington, D.C., memorial plaque dedication where the love and respect of his family was evident by the 13 family members that accompanied him.

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LEON HORWITZ

   Jeffrey Horwitz advised us of the passing of his father, Leon Horwitz, on April 20th, 2019, at the age of 84. He was a regular attendee of our annual reunions until failing health prevented his attendance the past two years.

   Leon was the brother of Emmons shipmate Lt. (jg) David Horwitz, who gave his life aboard the Emmons at Okinawa. Leon was a passionate supporter of the Association and was instrumental in fundraising for the Griffin/Emmons Scholarship Program.

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RAYMOND E. O'CONNELL

   Shipmate Raymond O'Connell passed away March 21, 2019. Ray, a Signalman 2c aboard the Emmons, was predeceased by his wife Elizabeth.

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MARY FRANCES AVERY

   Shipmate George Avery,  Jr. informed us of the February 24, 2019 passing of his wife, Mary Frances. George served as Fireman 2c aboard the Emmons. After he survived the Okinawa attack, George and Mary Frances were married, celebrating their 73rd anniversary this year.

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HAROLD J. HEATH

   A recent inquiry by Wendy Couillard about her grandfather, USS Emmons shipmate Harold J. Heath, led us to learn of his passing in 1996, having been previously diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease.

   Harold served as Chief Machinist’s Mate and, as a Plank Owner and survivor of the Okinawa attack, was one of the relative few who served aboard the Emmons her entire life.

 

RAYMOND F. FEURA

   Son Roger Feura notified us of the June 28, 2018, passing of his father, Raymond F. Feura, nephew of late shipmate Joe Gocella, who sacrificed his life at Okinawa.

   The Feura’s, including Ray’s son Richard, have been long-time supporters of the Association and our efforts to preserve the Emmons legacy.

 

JACKSON TITTLE

   Jackson Tittle, son of late shipmate Homer D. Tittle, passed away in November, 2018. We were excited to meet and get to know Jackson and members of his family at the 2017 reunion, his first, when the proud grandfather accompanied his granddaughter, Alexandra STACK,  a recipient of that year’s Griffin/Emmons scholarship award.

   Jack was quite knowledgeable and passionate about the Emmons’ history and very proud of his dad’s service during WWII.

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WARREN G. SPARKS

   Daughter Cindy (Sparks) Allwell notified us of shipmate Warren Sparks' passing the morning of May 12, 2018. Warren, 97, went aboard the Emmons as a Yeoman 3rd class in January, 1942.  Working up through the ranks, he received his commission resulting in his transfer off the Emmons near the end of 1943. His service to our country continued until his retirement as a Lieutenant.

   Warren served faithfully as a Director and Vice President of the USS Emmons Association since its inception. He and wife Fern have been regular attendees at the annual reunions where his cheerful demeanor will be missed.  Both were avid supporters of our efforts to preserve the Emmons legacy and the memory of the shipmates lost at Okinawa.   

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JAMES W. FLORY

   James Flory, 53, son of Emmons Plank Owner George Flory, passed away December 12th, 2017.  We were first notified in October by his brother Mike that Jim was undergoing chemotherapy and radiation for cancer.

   Jim was a graduate of the University of Wisconsin and the University of Minnesota Law School.  Some may remember Jim as having attended past Emmons reunions with his father and other family. 

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JOSEPH P. POMYKALA

   Joseph POMYKALA passed away December 6th, 2017.  Joe, a Seaman 1c and long-time supporter of the Emmons Association, served aboard the Emmons from November, 1942, until he transferred with shipmates A. Robert READ and Jim DONOVAN to the Boston Navy Yard’s last destroyer, the USS Joseph P. LEARY, in late 1943.

   Joe was active in the Leary’s latter-day association and reunions, accompanied by his daughter, Mary Kay MIKUSKA and husband John.  Although Joe was not able to make the trip to Buffalo, the Emmons family was pleased to welcome Mary Kay and John to their first Emmons reunion IN 2017, what we hope is the first of many.

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RICHARD E. KIDD

   We received word from Susan Ludlow that Richard E. Kidd passed away November 5, 2017, one month after his 94th birthday.  Richard was a plank owner aboard the Emmons, serving as a Boatswain’s Mate.

   Susan tells us he was very proud of experience aboard the Emmons and would share the Emmons story with anyone willing to listen.  Susan and Richard attended several reunions in the past and she expressed her blessing to have gotten to know many of the shipmates and their wives there.

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EDWIN J. KROM

   Shipmate Edwin J. Krom passed away November 17, 2017.   A survivor of the Battle of Okinawa, Ed served as Seaman 2c aboard the Emmons.

   Ed was reunited with his Emmons shipmates when he attended his first reunion in 2016 together with 12 of his family members.  He topped that when 15 family members accompanied him at the 2017 reunion in Buffalo.

 

DAVID R. SHAUB, JR.

   Courtney Silvestre informed us of the October 25, 2017, passing of her grandfather, David R. Shaub, Jr.  David, a long-time supporter of the USS Emmons Association, was the nephew of shipmate John L. Donaldson, who gave his life at Okinawa.

   David attended past reunions and most recently joined the Emmons family at the 2015 memorial plaque dedication at the Navy Memorial Heritage Center in Washington, D.C.

 

GERALD R. FOX

   Gerald R. Fox died unexpectedly September 4, 2017, at the age of 56.  Gerald, with his wife Susan, attended past reunions with Susan’s father, Emmons shipmate George Flory and wife Carol.

   Gerald, a 9-year veteran of the U.S. Army, later joined the Wisconsin Army National Guard, which included a 2005 deployment to Iraq.  He most recently served as Jackson County Wisconsin District Attorney since first elected in 2006.  

 

SAMUEL HORWITZ

   We received word from brother Leon of the July 6, 2017, death of Samuel Horwitz.  Sam and Leon’s brother, Lt. (jg) David Horwitz, gave his life aboard the Emmons at Okinawa.

   Sam, along with brothers Leon and Gerald, have been avid supporters of the Association’s efforts in preserving the Emmons legacy and the memory of the 60 shipmates who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.  

 

DWAIN G. BOWER

     Following a long struggle with cancer and related illnesses, Dwain Bower died June 10, 2017, at home surrounded by his children.

     Until his illness set in, Dwain and brother John were long-time attendees at the Emmons reunions where they enjoyed the company of their fellow Emmons family members and honored the memory of their uncle, Harry Bower, who gave his life at Okinawa aboard the Emmons.