World War II Database

1. Anonymous says:
30 Jun 2012 08:06:39 PM

yes my name is randy lester my father sever the uss natoma bay in 1943 he was a fire frigther on the boat and i would like a pic of the boat we lost a pic of the boat in a house fire early 60s.

2. Richard Gilleland says:
4 Oct 2013 08:50:03 PM

Where can I obtain a list of crewmen who served aboard the U.S.S. Natoma Bay my father served on her and it would be great to see his name on the list. His name was Orval Gilleland. I do not know his rank at the time.

3. Ron Walker says:
9 Jan 2015 09:48:53 AM

My father was on the ship Delmar Walker

4. Gary Slatcher says:
17 Apr 2015 03:17:06 PM

My father, E.G. Gary Slatcher served aboard the Natoma Bay. He was a cook.

5. Mike Yancey says:
20 Mar 2017 05:40:19 PM

My dad Doyle Yancey served on the Natoma Bay. He was a machinist mate.

6. Steven Duane Hess/Fletcher says:
7 Apr 2018 01:26:05 PM

My father Galley Fletcher was on the Natoma Bay from 8/44 to 8/45. I would like a crew list with his name on it, a picture of him on board, and any other info. I can reimburse for materials. Galley was stationed first in San Diego at Coronado Heights.

7. Cathy Worley says:
27 Dec 2018 11:20:16 AM

Bill Worley my father, was a radio man in the Avengers from March 1942-March 1945 .I would appreciate any info or pictures.

8. Shelly says:
5 May 2019 12:13:43 AM

My dad served on the USS natoma bay. His name was Thomas a Skelton. I’m curious for any info like a log book of crew names etc

9.  David Stubblebine says:
5 May 2019 09:10:28 PM

Shelly (above):
The list of crew names you are asking about are called Muster Rolls. They are online at Fold3.com they exist as paper document held by the National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). According to Natoma Bay’s Muster Rolls, Seaman 1st-class Thomas Abner Skelton, service number 377 13 94, came aboard 3 Jan 1944 at San Diego and was still listed on the Oct 1945 Rolls, after the war ended. Those records also list his enlistment date as 9 Oct 1942 at San Francisco. His service record should have more information and I strongly encourage anyone to request a copy. See https://ww2db.com/faq/#3.

10. Chris McGrady says:
8 Jun 2020 11:03:32 PM

While serving as a chief on USS Aaron Ward DD 483 my grandfather John Sterling McGrady was wounded in Guadalcanal night battle. Transferred to Natoma Bay following Ward’s sinking.
I have no information as to his duties on the Natoma Bay. Can you help? Thx

11.  David Stubblebine says:
9 Jun 2020 03:37:17 PM

Chris McGrady (above):
John S. McGrady is listed in the Natoma Bay Muster Rolls as a plank owner (member of the commissioning crew) and his rating is listed as CTM, which is Chief Torpedomans Mate. Torpedoes were high maintenance items and torpedomen handled, maintained, and readied the torpedoes for deployment. Aboard Aaron Ward, torpedoes were deck launched from torpedo tubes but from Natoma Bay, they would have been loaded into torpedo bomber aircraft.

12. Chris McGrady says:
11 Jun 2020 08:12:52 AM

What were the duties of Commissions Crew? My dad seems to think he ended up being on an aircraft possibly a tail gunner. Sadly I cannot ask him. He passed when I was very young.
Thank you for your help!!!