Friday's Photo:1944 in the Pacific

Whit Criswell Bryan - Chief Pharmacist's Mate - December 1944

In December 1944, 24 year old, Whit Criswell Bryan, was stationed aboard the U.S.S. Adams in the Pacific. Here are some of his photos and information found in his service record about his time on board the ship. 

U.S.S. Adams - Destroyer Mine Layer

U.S.S. Adams - March 27, 1944 - Okinawa - Suicide Plane Damage

Commander D.N. Clay - Receiving the Bronze Star 1944

Sick Bay - U. S. S. Adams 1945

Wednesday, December 21st would have been Dad's 96th birthday. I would have loved to have known more and I know that he would have had some stories. 

I have one story about this ship that he would have been surprised to hear. In 2001, shortly after Dad's passing, I met his second cousin, Nadine Thompson Waugh, in Stephenville, Texas. She told me that her husband served on the U. S. S. Adams during WWII along with a Bryan who was related to some Stephenville Bryans. At the time, I knew little about his military service and even less about his family. It wasn't until a few years later that I realized Dad had probably talked to Nadine's husband while on the ship. However, although Dad knew that his Bryan family once lived in Stephenville, I am sure that he did not know he had Thompson cousins in Stephenville and did not know Nadine Thompson Waugh. 

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Diana
© 2016

Source

Family photographs and documents from the collection of Diana Bryan Quinn.