Two Wrecks: USS Abner Read

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Because they served so many roles, there are many great stories of heroism of the small combat vessels whose thin armor earned them the nickname “tin cans.” Among those is the extraordinary story of the Fletcher-class destroyer USS Abner Read, a ship who fought so hard that she was sunk twice.
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This is original content based on research by The History Guy. Images in the Public Domain are carefully selected and provide illustration. As very few images of the actual event are available in the Public Domain, images of similar objects and events are used for illustration.
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All events are portrayed in historical context and for educational purposes. No images or content are primarily intended to shock and disgust. Those who do not learn from history are doomed to repeat it. Non censuram.
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Script by THG
#history #thehistoryguy #WWII

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

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[@danhughes3626]

can you do one on money....how it has changed

[@ryelor123]

You should do a video on the Underground Railroad and how it became a child prostitution racket.

[@robertschumann7737]

19:12 is where a bit over 9 minutes of dead air starts.

[@davearbogast2882]

Magellan is not history - it is a propaganda vehicle for the new religion, not based on science - Global Warming = Go WOKE, go BROKE Magellan.

[@matthewthomas5740]

I just graduated from California Maritime Academy, and I would love to watch a video about the history about all of the merchant marine academies, and their impact on trade and wartime operations.

[@jeffw1246]

The list of names reminded me of the movie "The Big Red 1". Where the guys came across a memorial and they thought someone already erected a WW2 memorial. The Sergeant said no it's a WW1 memorial to which the young guys said " but the names are all the same" the Sergeant replied " they always are".

[@nedludd7622]

A fine film by Sam Fuller, who was quite a guy.

[@MonkeyJedi99]

Great movie and showcase for Lee Marvin.

[@danielbeck9191]

@@MonkeyJedi99 AND he was a USMC veteran of WW II.

[@elcastorgrande]

And the faces never change.

[@m2hmghb]

@@elcastorgrande They just looks younger as you get older......

[@RetiredSailor60]

As a Tin Can Sailor, this story struck a cord with me. I served on USS Semmes DDG 18 1983-84 and USS Kinkaid DD 965 1987-89. USS Kinkaid was used a target ship in 2004. Lance, just a tidbit of advice, when you refer to compass bearing, pronounce each digit separately for example 130° is spoken as One Three Zero and Navy time is spoken as Zero One Three Zero, etc...RIP Shipmates. Your service, sacrifice, and commitment is not forgotten...

[@01Bouwhuis]

😊

[@01Bouwhuis]

😊

[@01Bouwhuis]

❤❤

[@joshsater4044]

My dad was a machinists mate on the USS Semmes in 1974-75. It is hard, I think, for anyone who hasn't been on one of these proud little ships to understand just how big the bite for how small the dog a U.S. destroyer was expected to have and, more often than not, did.

[@davidcampbell4465]

And may they all have, "fair winds & following seas..". Go Navy!

[@beckyburtis9977]

This was my father's ship. In his last year of life he told me about this. I keep coming back to it. I've never seen anything so profoundly moving. Thank you again, THG!

[@chuckpotter1209]

This was my father's ship too. My dad passed away in Colorado, April 2018. He and my mom loved to attend annual survivor Abner Reed reunions across USA. May I ask your father's name? Dad was friends with Daryl Withers.

[@beckyburtis9977]

@@chuckpotter1209 thank you! I'm so thrilled to get your response. Yes he was Lieutenant Commander Preston Arthur Burtis, Jr. My parents also attended the Abner read reunions and I am quite certain they must have known each other! This is so exciting. I would love to hear Any other information you have. Much gratitude to The History Guy for helping us make these profound and moving connections. I would like to pass your name onto my brother who is better informed than I.

[@beckyburtis9977]

@@chuckpotter1209 also my father Preston burtis passed away in 2006 they has a home here in Colorado as well as in Kansas where he passed away.

[@NickCochran-hh6sq]

@@chuckpotter1209 The USS Abner Reid was my dad's ship, as well. He was present until the ship's end on 11/1/44. He first stationed in Bremerton and was a ship Coxswain, my dad was Clifford Richardson of TX. He wouldn't talk much about the sinking in Leyte Gulf, but I know he lived with memories of that day the rest of his life. He passed away in 1992. I have his pictures that he took of crew while at Bremerton if someone would like to see them. He took many black and white photos and I'd like to share.

[@beckyburtis9977]

Oh!!! I can't believe I'm seeing this! My father was on this ship!!! He told me told them with elf about the two times it was sunk and how devastated he was to hear he had to go back out and fight more! I have to listen to this now

[@beckyburtis9977]

I would love for someone to contact me, the woman from Hays Kansas perhaps I originally was from Garden City Kansas, cannot dictate more now, through tears. THANK YOU!!!!!!!!

[@herbertliedel7019]

My uncle Norman J. Liedel Gunners Mate 3rd Class was one of the survivors of the Abner Read's sinking in the Pacific. He passed away 30 Sep 2020 at 95 years old.

[@pacirr]

My uncle was a sailor on the Abner Read when it was sunk at Leyte Gulf. He was in the water for a short time before being rescued. I can recall in the 1990s that he and his wife would always look forward to attending crew reunions.

[@beckyburtis9977]

I as well! My Dad! Lieutenant Commander Gunner officer: PA Burtis

[@CB71SS]

My dad served on this ship, name was Wilson Deery Brown. We attended one survivor's reunion before he passed. It was held in Bremerton. He passed in 1993. At that reunion he was given a painting of the Abner Read. It was done by Tom Done in 1990. I would like to share it so others could see it, is there a museum that I could donate it to?

[@darcybracken6567]

I would like to thank the History Guy not only for his videos of history, but also for his compassion to his fellow man. On videos like this he lists the names of the heroes we lost. I for one, always read those names so as to honor them. Thank you for all who have served and for the History Guy to keep them alive.

[@rockymountainlifeprospecti4423]

Another wonderful tidbit of history that deserved to be remembered! Well done History Guy, thank you

[@jamesmcv]

The poignancy of your videos on topics like these never get old. So much history that truly deserves to be remembered. So much history that no single one of us can remember it. Thanks for your passion for history, especially American military history. We must never forget those who lived and served with honor who came before us. Now more than ever.....

[@bradley-eblesisor]

I am very grateful to you for the freely given education that I have so thoroughly enjoyed receiving. Thanks to you, and all who support you!

[@wallacefoster1119]

Thank you .very, very grateful ,bless our Navy.

[@powerpiggy141]

My uncle (Robert Murry) was a Sailor on the Abner Read. He was extremely lucky as he was one of those in his rack at the time of the blast and as he told me "The next thing I knew, I was in the water!" He accompanied the ship to Bremerton for the new stern, and according to Uncle Bob the two halves mismatched by 2 inches. But there was a war on so they made it work. Fortunately for him, It was at this point he was transferred to another ship for the duration of the war. Now as I sit here typing, 66 years old and after a 20 year Air Force career, I think I've earned the right to say to a Brother Veteran: "Rest your oars Sailor, you've served your watch."

[@beckyburtis9977]

Please note above comment My father Preston Burtis, was a lieutenant commander on the USS Abner Reed. This is profoundly moving...

[@hamentaschen]

Dude, Thank you for all of your wonderful content!! I have learned a lot here on this channel the last several years.

[@theblackbear211]

I live in Bremerton, 3 miles from the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard, and a little over a mile from the Ivy Green Cemetary which contains a large US Navy plot. There is a lot of history in this quiet little town, especially from world war 2. Among the Naval graves are unknown remains removed from damaged vessels after they had been dry docked, when flooded compartments could be accessed. It is a sobering thought to consider.

[@jake9705]

The names of the fallen at the end of the video was a nice touch. Thank you for that.

[@billyrodriguez1878]

To have listed their names is a fitting end to such tragic ending. God bless all of these heroes! And a Semper Fi to you History Guy! Words cannot express the admiration that we, your fans, feel for you!!!!

[@michellep9999]

I love your channel! Please do a story on Operation Magic Carpet. My grandfathers ship, USS Lake Champlain, had the Atlantic crossing speed record for years. It’s a great story and history that deserves to be remembered. Thank you!

[@barfeedbob]

Thank you HG for sharing your love of history with the world.

[@paulm7842]

This reminds me of the story of the USS Murphy (DD-603), a Benson-Class destroyer whose bow section was sunk in a collision with a merchant ship while on convoy escort duty in 1943. The surviving 2/3 of the vessel was towed back to port, rebuilt, and the ship served through the end of the war.

[@charlesdudek7713]

Interesting episode as usual. The WWII footage after the episode was cool. Thanks HG and have a nice day.

[@dannyjones3840]

Thank you Lance for the humbling remembrance by including the names of the lost at the end.

[@beckyburtis9977]

My father Lieutenant Commander Preston Burtis's was obviously one of the fortunate ones who was not lost. Obviously. I am here to say it.

[@dwcrispin6628]

The Sergeant who mentored me in my early years of police work would tell of his times on the USS Kidd in WWII. He became the Chief of the boat toward the end of his service. I had the honor of visiting the USS Kidd in 2010. I learned where the Chief of the Boat had his bunk in “Chiefs Country” and sat on his bunk. Before he retired he told me he was proud of me as an officer and he expected good things of me. I was honored to be in his space on that boat as a now retired District Commander on a large police department with over 30 Sergeants who had served under me. He guided me and made me the leader I became.

[@Guangrui]

Congrats on reaching 1.2 million subscribers 😊😊😊

[@beckyburtis9977]

Now 1.2 million +1 How can I thank thee?

[@beckyburtis9977]

I am trying to see my father in these fuzzy but precious images. Lieutenant Commander Gunnery officer Preston A. Burtis, Jr.

[@garyolivier792]

Fantastic!! Thank you for posting these

[@Solhai]

Thank you for listing the sailors. Thank you for your service.

[@richardmycroft5336]

The end of the video was especially poignant. Simply bloody well brilliant. Well done, sir. My family served with the British military all over the Empire, and while much of the American retelling of the histories of so many countries annoys me deeply, you, and very likely you alone, have never done that. Cheers, and many thanks for this brilliant retelling of the story of a vessel of the USN.

[@richardmycroft5336]

Thank U.

[@nonamesplease6288]

Rest in peace. Your sacrifices are not unnoticed or forgotten.

[@frankgulla2335]

Thank you for wonderful tribute and informative story of the twin loses of USS Abner Reed.

[@costrio]

Nice of you to honor the lost souls at the end. Some families might find the information useful, IMO.

[@Indylimburg]

Diddo. That's me! Just found out my Grandpa's cousin, FC2 William Schipper was on that ship and lost at sea in the Kiska incident.

[@charlespackwood2055]

NOBODY does research like the History Guy.

[@billthomas8205]

Thank you so much for listing the names of the lost. Real history includes those whom others forget.

[@ready2fishnow]

Hello The History Guy! You're a great historian. Can you make a documentary about Pascagoula Ms. And the singing river. The Biloxi Indian tribe was heading to Scranton Ms, which is now Pascagoula. The Pascagoula Indian tribe, knowing there doom was inevitable, they walked in to the Pascagoula river, singing. Now late at night some can still hear the singing river.

[@sullivanspapa1505]

Poignant beyond description, thank you History Guy and crew!

[@janlindtner305]

Another well done👍

[@bronotamrok3002]

The list of names and silent footage is very appropriate. RIP, ye tin can sailors.

[@jwoody8815]

The light build and thin armor seemed to be an an advantage in certain situations, May have had alot to do why it didnt sink. (The first time that is)

[@thedevilinthecircuit1414]

Fantastic!

[@scottschreffler8798]

Thanks for listing the dead.

[@magellantv]

Giving us yet another incredible part of history to explore. Thank you for always honoring history in such a beautiful and easily accessible way!

[@tomh6183]

Well done sir.

[@pamartin]

Thank you for the extra footage.

[@twoheart7813]

Thanks!

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Thank you!

[@MarshOakDojoTimPruitt]

thanks

[@alexandermizanoski2408]

Love the B&W reel footage at the end.

[@zimmy1958]

Thanks for all the raw footage at the end 😊

[@HM2SGT]

Eternal Father, strong to save, Whose arm hath bound the restless wave, Who bidd'st the mighty ocean deep Its own appointed limits keep, O hear us when we cry to thee For those in peril on the sea! O Christ! Whose voice the waters heard And hushed their raging at thy word, Who walkedst on the foaming deep, And calm amidst its rage didst sleep, O hear us when we cry to thee, For those in peril on the sea! Most Holy Spirit! Who didst brood Upon the chaos dark and rude, And bid its angry tumult cease, And give, for wild confusion, peace, O hear us when we cry to thee For those in peril on the sea! Eternal Father, grant, we pray, To all Marines, both night and day, The courage, honor, strength, and skill Their land to serve, thy law fulfill; Be thou the shield forevermore From every peril to the Corps. Rest easy Shipmates.

[@BasicDrumming]

I appreciate you, thank you for making content.

[@timbarlow3292]

Wow great show again 😮

[@MDsteeler1]

That was a good one. RIP guys.

[@Eric_Hutton.1980]

Excellent video.

[@pitsnipe5559]

Always glad to hear stories of the Tin Can Navy. Submarines and aircraft carriers get all the attention. Served in three Gearing class cans in both forward and aft fire rooms. Fair winds and following seas shipmates. My Dad was stationed on Attu with the Army Air Corp during the war.

[@jefferycsm]

Loved the episode…Especially your tribute to the fallen with their names. Thank you!

[@DaisyG33]

Wow! I just discovered your channel and have listened to several episodes. Your subject matter as history covers a wide range of EVERYTHING! 👍👍👍!

[@raydunakin]

That's one of the things I love best about his videos, is that he doesn't limit himself to one or two topics.

[@artnickel1664]

I served on USS Twining DD540, a Fletcher Class 1966-1968.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

Thank you for your service.

[@michaelgalea5148]

Thank you History Guy for sharing this video. I wish you were my history teacher. You make history so interesting.

[@jimmyyu2184]

RIP, all you brave sailors...

[@masterskrain2630]

Thanks, Lance for this story, from an Ex-Tin Can sailor. U.S.S. Meredith DD-890

[@QuantumRift]

And a Destroyer had it's own escort. My dad served on the Joseph P. Connally in WWII, DE-450, as a radioman.

[@Indylimburg]

Just learned today that my Grandpa's first cousin, FC2 William Schipper was lost at sea on August 18, 1943 off Kiska. I haven't confirmed yet, but I think he was on the Abner Reed. Edit: thanks to The History Guy and listing the names of the lost in the end scroll, my assumption was confirmed. Rest in peace Sailors.

[@Indylimburg]

William Schipper was from Ogden, Utah. He came from a large community of Dutch immigrants. Both of his parents were born in Holland. His cousin, my Grandfather John Limburg, had been on the Aleutian Islands with the Army Corp of Engineers as a Chemical Engineer. He was hastily evacuated when the Japanese attacked and invaded the Islands. Another cousin of William and John, CPL Frank Van Limburg, was killed in action over Austria when his B-24 was shot down on May 24, 1944. William's, John's, and Frank's father's had all died early during the depression in 1932, 1934, and 1936 respectively. When the war broke out in September 1939, John was in the Netherlands serving a religious mission. Their Grandmother said her grandsons would be "Canon Vlees" (Canon flesh) shortly before passing away on September 24, 1939. I think my Grandpa John had survivors guilt because he never talked about any of this.

[@joshsater4044]

Fair winds and following seas, shipmates. We have the watch.

[@wolvesone]

Just my 2 cents but i think the navy and the powers that be should find and place marker buoys over these wrecks with the names of the fallen and log the locations lat and long so that they are remembered

[@shaun3423]

I spent 20 years in the Navy. I’ve always been a fan of Naval history. I would be interested in seeing you do a video on the Battle off Samar. Taffy 3 and the Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors.

[@danielbeck9191]

"The Last Stand of The Tin Can Sailors" by Hornfischer is a great book! I have always loved the Fletcher-class destroyers, but my greatest reverence is for USS Johnston DD-557 and her brave crew. Her skipper was CDR Ernest E. Evans, who led the attack by Taffy 3 against a much-superior IJN Center Force. The attack was so vigorous that Center Force retreated, saving the landing forces at Leyte Gulf.

[@matthewellisor5835]

Taps, Taps. Out all white lights. All hands, turn in to racks and maintain silence about the decks. Taps.

[@rexmyers991]

My Uncle, Roger Perry was a ships pattern maker on a ship that provided parts and supplies to the battleships. In 1962 he was off the coast of Cuba during the Soviet Missile Crisis. He referred to his ship as a “Tin Can Tender” Now I know what he meant. Thanks, History Guy.

[@u3g-k1t]

Your videos are great, thank you so much! What do you think of the SA Sachem in the Ohio River?

[@guntherultraboltnovacrunch5248]

Please consider an episode on Jacob C Vouza!

[@tomh6183]

That would be awesome.

[@keri0n271]

Love it!

[@nickhall5959]

History guy, can you cast your special doc skills over some of the ammo dump explosions that have happened such as the one in the UK, thank you.

[@webbtrekker534]

Do the WW II submarine USS Flasher SS 249. Be surprised what she did and her record and how little she is remembered.

[@lewisbonnell2509]

Love your videos. Have you considered a video of the wreck of USS Truxton and USS Pollux on the south coast of Newfoundland in February 1942? Horrendous loss of life and heroism by the local citizenry saving American sailors' lives.

[@blank557]

Of all the US ships, The humble workhorses of the fleet, the destroyers, are my favorite. First to fight, and often first to die, that their bigger fellow ships may live and fight again.

[@steveshoemaker6347]

Bless them O Lord our worries of times gone by.....Thank THG🎀...🇺🇸

[@D0wnshift]

History Channel: We need more reality TV History Guy: Fine, I'll do it myself.

[@JoelMMcKinney]

I love all things History of Alaska 😊

[@geoben1810]

Yeah, would've, could've, should've... There's times when I regret not re-uppin' after doing my 4 in the "Nav" and putting in for a tin can... At ease gentlemen. Rest in peace ✌ PO 3 '73>'77 The NAVY does it ALL, and does it ALL at ONCE! 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

[@shelbybrown8312]

Good morning from Chicago heights Illinois

[@TrickiVicBB71]

Rest in Peace to all those lost on the destroyer

[@TheRagratus]

My Uncle was aboard the USS Colhun, sunk by a kamikaze off Okinawa in WWII. Luckily he survived.

[@richardbrant5728]

I just watched the movie "Beneath Hill 60". It would be a great subject for one of your videos.

[@joegordon5117]

For anyone interested in the history of destroyers, the acclaimed comics creator, the late Sam Glanzman, recounted the tales of the USS Stevens, based on his own personal experience as a young man serving in the US Navy during WWII, well worth a read as the stories draw on his own experiences and those shipmates recounted to him

[@williamromine5715]

What is amazing to me is the speed in which the ship repaired and returned to duty. In late August lost it's aft end, towed to Washington, cleaned up, repaired and returned to duty in late December, only 4 months later. Oh, by the way, does anybody know why my word assitance help doesn't work when I am writing comments, but does work when I write Replys? I am 81 years old and computer illiterate. This started happening about 2 weeks ago. Any help would be appreciated.

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

I agree. You'd have guessed a year in dry dock.

[@kenmartin9106]

Dad's gone now he had two of the tin cans he was on sunk . He is my hero miss you Dad.

[@Nightdiver20]

Wow, she took a lot more reservists with her than I would have expected

[@danielbeck9191]

Great video! Thank you so much for honoring those who gave their live protecting our nation and our way of life. So many families lost a young son in combat--regular, ordinary young men, but so courageous when in harm's way.

[@J.A.Smith2397]

Gday my favorite history guy

[@JonesNate]

Programming seems to end at 19:12 but the video is 28:17 long. Ah; silent footage starts at 21:21. I'm curious why that's included.

[@KevinT3141]

Appreciated as always, but I think you need a slightly different outro for episodes that end with a list of the dead, as "I hope you enjoyed" just feels wrong. "Thank you for watching this episode of..." would be better.

[@techristopher8077]

Hail and Fairwell Brothers Fair Winds and Following Seas SEMPER FORTUS

[@steven.h0629]

❤ Team The History Guy! 👍😎✊

[@tonyInPA]

Another great perspective of the dual sinkings of dd526 was just recently covered by the @BuffaloNavalPark

[@christopherberryhill3802]

I love history. I always figured Cinco De Mayo was Mexican St Patty's Day. Someone told me they won their independence from France.. There's a story there. ✊😎

[@TheHistoryGuyChannel]

There is. kzbin.info/www/bejne/l5q1nKJ7o5ugm5Y

[@gerardjohnson2106]

A fitting tribute to the masculine sailors of our once gallant Navy.

[@danielpittman889]

GTFO with that nonsense. I served with plenty of badass female sailors. And these days gay, lesbian, and transgender sailors are serving with honor. Your comment is hateful. Anyone who wants to enlist and serve should be welcomed with open arms.

[@flkoolguy]

My Grandpa was a Tin Can Sailor in WW2. He served from 1943 - 1947.

[@erictaylor5462]

My favorite destroyer story was that time a couple of Destroyers tricked the IJN into thinking they were facing a much stronger force than they were and getting them to withdraw even though they had already sunk one of the destroyers.

[@alexfogg381]

The battle of Samar island 1944, TAFFY 3. Immortalized in the Book, The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors, sadly the Authors name eludes me.

[@pamartin]

That you would post their names... Thank you. Other words than that escape me.

[@davidstevens5908]

My Dad was a proud tin can sailor.

[@navret1707]

As was my father in WWII and Korean War.

[@RetiredSailor60]

As was my father Korean War; USS Pritchett

[@jeffbangkok]

Good evening