Melvin Storer
Storer in 1941
Birth nameMelvin Tyler Storer
Born(1921-04-17)17 April 1921
Portland, Oregon, U.S.
Died27 December 2003(2003-12-27) (aged 82)
Chula Vista, California, U.S.
Buried
Glen Abbey Mortuary, Bonita, California, U.S.
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Navy Reserve
Years of service
  • 1938–1945
  • 1948–
Rank
Service number4143534
Commands held
Battles/wars
Awards
Alma mater
Spouse(s)
Edith Dette Sherman
​
(m. 1973)​
Other workWelder at Rohr, Inc.

Melvin Tyler Storer (17 April 1921 – 27 December 2003) was an American shipfitter, navy diver and welder who served in the United States Navy Reserve on the USS West Virginia and USS Yarnall. He was aboard the USS California during the Attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II and was reported lost in action before being found as a survivor.

World War II service

Storer joined the United States Navy Reserve in on May 5, 1938.[1] He was a shipfitter third class when enlisting on the USS California on July 16, 1940. Storer was later a shipfitter on the USS West Virginia and USS Yarnall, first enlisting on May 15, 1942.[2] In 1943, he was promoted to shipfitter first class and deep-sea diver.[3] Storer registered for the draft on October 15, 1945[4] and re-enlisted in the Navy on March 30, 1948.[5]

Pearl Harbor attack

Storer was supervising cleanup in the engine room on the USS California when an airstrike call came in. It was dismissed at first, due to previous drills. Storer and others immediately closed watertight hatches between the compartments below deck. The damage had caused a power outage, spraying steam and ammunition had to be manually loaded into anti-air craft guns. When the call came to abandon ship, Storer jumped off the ship into the water 25 feet below. He swam around until a boat picked him up and returned to the USS California with an attempt to save it.[6]

Aftermath

Storer was among about 200 of the salvage and gun crews who were counted by a delegation crew. He claims that list must have been misplaced and everyone listed was declared lost. Storer and three of his friends from home were presumed dead, along with one other who did actually die in the attack.[6] He was the first man from Portland who was reported killed[5] but it was not determined how that error happened.[7]


On December 16, 1941, Rear Admiral Chester W. Nimitz contacted Storer's mother and claimed he was one of many men missing in action.

The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your son Melvin Tyler Storer, shipfitter third class, U.S. Naval Reserve, was lost in action in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country.[6]

Services for Storer were held on December 22[1] at Laurelwood Methodist Church.[3] A melancholy was held on Christmas with Portland Mayor Earl Riley as the presenter of a miniature flag and pedestal with Storer's name and rank engraved. A week after the service, two postcards arrived on December 29, both with Storer's signature.[6] Storer wrote to his parents dated from December 8 and December 12 to let them know he had survived.[8][9] On January 1, 1942, a telegram from Rear Admiral Randall Jacobs arrived.

The Navy Department is glad to inform you that your son Melvin Tyler Storer, shipfitter third class, U.S. Naval Reserve, previously reported missing following action in the performance of his duty, is now reported to be a survivor.[6]

In the aftermath of the attack, Storer stayed at Pearl Harbor for six months to help with the salvage and cleanup. He reunited with his family on a surprise visit during his leave, taking a bus from Bremerton, Washington.[6]

Other work

In 1947, Storer was recruited as a naval diver to search Odell Lake[10] for two men who went missing and believed to have drowned.[11] He later moved to Chula Vista and became a welder at Rohr, Inc.[6]

Personal life

Storer was born in Portland, Oregon to Frank[8] and Lella Storer[12] on April 17, 1921. He was baptized at Laurelwood Methodist Church, attended Joseph Kellogg School, Franklin High School,[1] Benson High School,[13] and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.[14] Storer married Edith Dette Sherman on May 6, 1973, in San Diego, California.[15][6]

Death

Storer died on December 27, 2003, in Chula Vista, California and was buried at Glen Abbey Mortuary in Bonita, California.[14]

Commendations

Awards
Image Decoration Notes Ref.
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal ribbon and streamer Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal Attack on Pearl Harbor [12]
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal ribbon and streamer Bronze Star Medal Seven major engagements

References

  1. 1 2 3 "Memorial Service Honors Pearl Harbor Raid Victim". The Oregonian. 1941-12-22.
  2. ↑ National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland, United States; Muster Rolls of U.S. Navy Ships, Stations, and Other Naval Activities, 01/01/1939 - 01/01/1949; Record Group: 24, Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel, 1798 - 2007; Series ARC ID: 594996; Series MLR Number: A1 135
  3. 1 2 "'Missing' Sailor Wins Promotion". The Oregonian. 1943-02-13.
  4. ↑ National Archives at St. Louis; St. Louis, Missouri; Wwii Draft Registration Cards For Oregon, 10/16/1940-03/31/1947; Record Group: Records of the Selective Service System, 147; Box: 112
  5. 1 2 "Man Reported Dead Re-enlists". Daily Capital Journal. Vol. 60, no. 77. 1948-03-30. p. 5. Retrieved 2023-06-21 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Gribble, Joanne (1975-12-07). "Telegram was wrong: 'Dead' man tells tale about Pearl Harbor Day". The Star-News. 45 (80): 17 – via Newspapers.com.
  7. ↑ "Portlander 'Killed' at Pearl Harbor Re-enlists". Albany Democrat-Herald. 1948-03-30. p. 3. Retrieved 2023-11-09 – via Newspapers.com.
  8. 1 2 "Service Men: Where They Are What They're Doing". Oregon Statesman. 1941-12-31. p. 3 – via University of Oregon Libraries.
  9. ↑ "2 Post Cards Deny Death: Joy Brought to Home of Storers". The Oregonian. 1941-12-30.
  10. ↑ "Navy Men Search Odell". Herald and News. 1947-06-04. Retrieved 2023-07-11 – via University of Oregon Archives.
  11. ↑ "Naval Diver Joins Search". Herald and News. 1947-06-03. p. 1 – via University of Oregon Libraries.
  12. 1 2 "Investigate Robberies". The Eugene Guard. 1945-06-14. p. 8. Retrieved 2023-11-09.
  13. ↑ "School Quit for Navy". The Oregonian. 1941-12-17.
  14. 1 2 "Melvin Storer Obituary (2004) - San Diego, CA - San Diego Union-Tribune". Legacy.com. 2004-01-07. Retrieved 2023-05-19.
  15. ↑ State of California. California Marriage Index, 1960-1985. Microfiche. Center for Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento, California.
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