I have a photo album of my fathers from WWI aboard the USS Melville. The album has pictures of everywhere the ship traveled while he was stationed on board. There are several pictures of the crew, other ships, prisoners of war, and mascots. The pictures have few names on them, they are mostly group pictures. There was a boiler explosion on the ship and many lives were taken. I have a copy of the ships history (pictures in the album follow this history) and a copy of the ships 1920 census. The census lists names -position on ship and the state they came from. Would share info and would like to see that maybe a naval museum might be interested but don't know who to contact. Betty
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My grandfather was on the USS Melville from 1939-1942. Would you please share your findings with me? His name was David Andrew Green. Thank you!!
Cheryl Beckham
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My Grandfather served on the Melville during WW1, he was a machinst first class. For reasons unknown to me he used anothers name to join (I assume he didn't have a birth record being born in the USA) the Navy. George A. Hammel (I believe this gentleman was from Maine)was the name he used to join, but his real name was George A. Hammond. The attached picture was taken in 1919.
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Cheryl, the USS Melville was based in Derry, Northern Ireland in 1942, where she helped with the establishment of the US Naval Operating Base. Did your grandfather cross from Norfolk to Derry? Mark
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I am doing research on the Melville as it pertains to an old clock that I have. It appears that my great, great uncle served aboard the Melville in World War One as well. I have inherited a clock passed through the years that is very unique and I'm trying to gather as much information about it as I can. It's really fascinating to me and if you have digital reproductions of your photos, I'd LOVE to see them, it would truly be amazing. Any information or help you could provide would be truly appreciated.
Thank you very much in advance.
Terry
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My father Chester L Funk was on the USS Melville from 1939-45 in the boiler room. I too would be interested in photos on the Melville. Cheryl, surely your grandfather must have known Chester Funk.
He was often in Norfolk, VA or San Deigo, CA which is where he hooked up with my mother. They eloped to Uma, AZ in 1940.
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My father was Jack Thornton (called Junior or JB) and was a Pharmacist's Mate (medic) on the Melville from 43/44 until the end of the war.
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My father, Aloysius Anthony Stoeffler, served as StoreKeeper on the Melville during WWII. I would be very interested to see your photos! I'm sure he would be, too. Do you have any of them available to share?
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