Boilermaker First Class William L. Meek's connection to Shelby County is a bit murky as I could find nothing locally on him. I did receive an email from his first cousin once removed, Gerri Ward who said he was born on September 4th, 1909 in Galveston County, Texas to John Curtis Meek, Sr. and Irene Lee Franks. He was one of eight children. She said he shows up on the 1940 census living with his parents in Galveston County, Texas, was single and had an occupation as boilermaker, dry dock. His parents are buried in the Confederate Cemetery in Alvin, Texas.
He served aboard the USS Aircraft Carrier Bismarck Sea. The USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95) was the eleventh and last American Aircraft Carrier lost during World War II. She was sunk on February 21, 1945 by a kamikaze attack that occurred just after sunset while engaged in the Battle for Iwo Jima. On the evening of 21 February, Bismarck Sea had just recovered her aircraft from a strike when a swarm of Japanese planes appeared. The escort carrier splashed one bomber, but another one crashed into the ship abeam of the after elevator. The crash knocked four torpedoes on to the hangar deck, parted the elevator cables, and damaged the after fire main. The fire appeared controllable until its glow attracted a second Japanese plane which also crashed her just forward of the elevator well, killing or mortally wounding the entire fire-fighting party. This explosion buckled bulkheads and collapsed the decks in the ammunition clipping rooms, adding fuel to the fire. The planes on the hangar deck added gasoline to the holocaust. Soon, the flames raged out of control and a variety of ordnance began to explode, so the captain ordered Bismarck Sea abandoned. In less than 30 minutes, her entire crew made it into the water. After many explosions and two hours of burning, the ship rolled over and sank.
Rough seas, cold water, and Japanese strafing cost the lives of many members of the escort carrier's crew. Three destroyers and three destroyer escorts spent 12 hours picking up survivors, but 318 gallant sailors were lost. The survivors were sent to transports just off Iwo Jima and were able to see the American flag finally raised on Mount Suribachi. Boilermaker First Class Meek was among those not recovered and is still listed as missing in action by the Defense Prisoner of War, Missing Personnel Office. If you know more please contact me at 936-598-2976 or email [email protected].
He served aboard the USS Aircraft Carrier Bismarck Sea. The USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95) was the eleventh and last American Aircraft Carrier lost during World War II. She was sunk on February 21, 1945 by a kamikaze attack that occurred just after sunset while engaged in the Battle for Iwo Jima. On the evening of 21 February, Bismarck Sea had just recovered her aircraft from a strike when a swarm of Japanese planes appeared. The escort carrier splashed one bomber, but another one crashed into the ship abeam of the after elevator. The crash knocked four torpedoes on to the hangar deck, parted the elevator cables, and damaged the after fire main. The fire appeared controllable until its glow attracted a second Japanese plane which also crashed her just forward of the elevator well, killing or mortally wounding the entire fire-fighting party. This explosion buckled bulkheads and collapsed the decks in the ammunition clipping rooms, adding fuel to the fire. The planes on the hangar deck added gasoline to the holocaust. Soon, the flames raged out of control and a variety of ordnance began to explode, so the captain ordered Bismarck Sea abandoned. In less than 30 minutes, her entire crew made it into the water. After many explosions and two hours of burning, the ship rolled over and sank.
Rough seas, cold water, and Japanese strafing cost the lives of many members of the escort carrier's crew. Three destroyers and three destroyer escorts spent 12 hours picking up survivors, but 318 gallant sailors were lost. The survivors were sent to transports just off Iwo Jima and were able to see the American flag finally raised on Mount Suribachi. Boilermaker First Class Meek was among those not recovered and is still listed as missing in action by the Defense Prisoner of War, Missing Personnel Office. If you know more please contact me at 936-598-2976 or email [email protected].
Boilermaker First Class William L. Meek's connection to Shelby County is a bit murky as I could find nothing locally on him. I did receive an email from his first cousin once removed, Gerri Ward who said he was born on September 4th, 1909 in Galveston County, Texas to John Curtis Meek, Sr. and Irene Lee Franks. He was one of eight children. She said he shows up on the 1940 census living with his parents in Galveston County, Texas, was single and had an occupation as boilermaker, dry dock. His parents are buried in the Confederate Cemetery in Alvin, Texas.
He served aboard the USS Aircraft Carrier Bismarck Sea. The USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95) was the eleventh and last American Aircraft Carrier lost during World War II. She was sunk on February 21, 1945 by a kamikaze attack that occurred just after sunset while engaged in the Battle for Iwo Jima. On the evening of 21 February, Bismarck Sea had just recovered her aircraft from a strike when a swarm of Japanese planes appeared. The escort carrier splashed one bomber, but another one crashed into the ship abeam of the after elevator. The crash knocked four torpedoes on to the hangar deck, parted the elevator cables, and damaged the after fire main. The fire appeared controllable until its glow attracted a second Japanese plane which also crashed her just forward of the elevator well, killing or mortally wounding the entire fire-fighting party. This explosion buckled bulkheads and collapsed the decks in the ammunition clipping rooms, adding fuel to the fire. The planes on the hangar deck added gasoline to the holocaust. Soon, the flames raged out of control and a variety of ordnance began to explode, so the captain ordered Bismarck Sea abandoned. In less than 30 minutes, her entire crew made it into the water. After many explosions and two hours of burning, the ship rolled over and sank.
Rough seas, cold water, and Japanese strafing cost the lives of many members of the escort carrier's crew. Three destroyers and three destroyer escorts spent 12 hours picking up survivors, but 318 gallant sailors were lost. The survivors were sent to transports just off Iwo Jima and were able to see the American flag finally raised on Mount Suribachi. Boilermaker First Class Meek was among those not recovered and is still listed as missing in action by the Defense Prisoner of War, Missing Personnel Office. If you know more please contact me at 936-598-2976 or email [email protected].
He served aboard the USS Aircraft Carrier Bismarck Sea. The USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95) was the eleventh and last American Aircraft Carrier lost during World War II. She was sunk on February 21, 1945 by a kamikaze attack that occurred just after sunset while engaged in the Battle for Iwo Jima. On the evening of 21 February, Bismarck Sea had just recovered her aircraft from a strike when a swarm of Japanese planes appeared. The escort carrier splashed one bomber, but another one crashed into the ship abeam of the after elevator. The crash knocked four torpedoes on to the hangar deck, parted the elevator cables, and damaged the after fire main. The fire appeared controllable until its glow attracted a second Japanese plane which also crashed her just forward of the elevator well, killing or mortally wounding the entire fire-fighting party. This explosion buckled bulkheads and collapsed the decks in the ammunition clipping rooms, adding fuel to the fire. The planes on the hangar deck added gasoline to the holocaust. Soon, the flames raged out of control and a variety of ordnance began to explode, so the captain ordered Bismarck Sea abandoned. In less than 30 minutes, her entire crew made it into the water. After many explosions and two hours of burning, the ship rolled over and sank.
Rough seas, cold water, and Japanese strafing cost the lives of many members of the escort carrier's crew. Three destroyers and three destroyer escorts spent 12 hours picking up survivors, but 318 gallant sailors were lost. The survivors were sent to transports just off Iwo Jima and were able to see the American flag finally raised on Mount Suribachi. Boilermaker First Class Meek was among those not recovered and is still listed as missing in action by the Defense Prisoner of War, Missing Personnel Office. If you know more please contact me at 936-598-2976 or email [email protected].
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Texas.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
