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Mellin Edwin “Choc” Respess

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Birth	:	28 Apr 1901 Grimstead, Mathews County, Virginia, USA
Death	:	23 Jul 1942 At Sea
Burial	:	Gwynns Island Cemetery, Gwynn, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate	:	37.4995782, -76.2943862
Description	:	Parents: Matilda Gordon (Brown) and Patrick Henry Respess Spouse: Eleanor Borum (Powell) Respess ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~ U.S. Merchant Marine Service No: Z 191534 Award: Mariners Medal Address of record: Baltimore, MD The Liberty ship, Thomas McKean was an American cargo steamer owned by Calmer SS Co Inc, New York. Baltimore, MD was homeport and MELLIN EDWIN RESPESS was her first Master. Having been launched just a month before, this was her maiden voyage; Philadelphia to New York to Trinidad and then to Bandar Shapur (Iran) with a cargo of 9000 tons of war supplies, valued at $12 million. The... Read More	Parents: Matilda Gordon (Brown) and Patrick Henry Respess Spouse: Eleanor Borum (Powell) Respess ~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~.~ U.S. Merchant Marine Service No: Z 191534 Award: Mariners Medal Address of record: Baltimore, MD The Liberty ship, Thomas McKean was an American cargo steamer owned by Calmer SS Co Inc, New York. Baltimore, MD was homeport and MELLIN EDWIN RESPESS was her first Master. Having been launched just a month before, this was her maiden voyage; Philadelphia to New York to Trinidad and then to Bandar Shapur (Iran) with a cargo of 9000 tons of war supplies, valued at $12 million. The cargo consisted of foodstuffs, trucks, tanks, 11 aircraft (as deck cargo) as well as ammunition in the number one hold and aviation fuel in the number two cargo hold. Although unescorted, the ship was armed with a 4-inch stern-mounted gun, four 20mm and two .30cal guns (one account lists a 102mm gun mounted on the deck) and a crew of 17 US Navy Armed Guards. On the morning of June 29, 1942, Thomas McKean was maintaining a zigzag course, heading southeast at 10 knots, and was approximately 350 miles northeast of Puerto Rico when German submarine U-505 slammed a torpedo behind the #5 hold, destroying the stern gun and killing three Armed Guards. Due to extensive damage, and the volatile nature of the cargo, the ship was immediately abandoned and the four lifeboats were filled within 10 minutes. U-505 surfaced and shelled the ship until it was engulfed in flames and sank bow first. Before leaving, the Germans questioned the survivors and administered first aid to at least one of several who were injured. Eventually, two boats made it to St. Thomas in the Virgin Islands, one boat landed on Anguilla where the men were taken to St. Kitts (and several days later to Antigua), and the last boat made it to Micheson, Dominican Republic, on July 8th. Out of a complement of 62, at least one Merchant Mariner and three US Navy Armed Guards died. Capt. RESPESS was among the survivors. On July 23rd Capt. RESPESS was returning to the U.S. on another American merchant ship, the SS Onondaga. The steamer was about five miles off the coast of Cuba when it was hit by a single torpedo from German submarine U-129. The torpedo struck amidships on the port side and Onondaga immediately sank. All hands jumped overboard and swam toward two rafts that had broken free. Some didn’t make it. The next day, 14 survivors were picked up by a Cuban fishing boat and taken to Punta San Juan, Cuba. Of the 33 Merchant Mariners on board, 19, including Capt. MELLIN RESPESS, did not survive. Memorial Marker and family links: Gwynns Island Cemetery, Gwynn, Mathews Co., VA Captain Respess' name is also included on the Maryland WWII memorial at Annapolis. His last name, however, is incorrectly spelled 'Respers.' ref: attached photo of names, 4th line down, first entry 'Mellin Edwin Respers'

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Mellin Edwin “Choc” Respess's memorial?
Mellin Edwin “Choc” Respess's memorial is located at: Gwynns Island Cemetery, Gwynn, Mathews County, USA.
When did Mellin Edwin “Choc” Respess death?
Mellin Edwin “Choc” Respess death on 23 Jul 1942 in At Sea
Where are the coordinates of the Mellin Edwin “Choc” Respess's memorial?
Latitude: 37.4995782
Longitude: -76.2943862

Family Members:

Parent

Patrick Henry Respess

(1870 - 1932)

Matilda Gordon Brown Respess

(1876 - 1934)

Spouse

Eleanor Powell Respess

(1908 - 2000)

Siblings

Ida Matilda Respess

(1904 - 1905)

Mary Isabelle Respess

(1910 - 1910)

Henry Marshall Respess

(1911 - 1934)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Gwynns Island Cemetery
Gwynn, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.4995782, -76.2943862

2. Hudgins - Edwards Cemetery
Gwynn, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.4998188, -76.2916481

3. Gwynn's Island Baptist Church
Gwynn, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.5049650, -76.2898350

4. Keeble Family Cemetery
Gwynn, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.5114705, -76.2919754

5. Marchant Cemetery
Cricket Hill, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.4870796, -76.3063278

6. Goshen Cemetery
Moon, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.4796900, -76.2991400

7. Hudgins Plantation Cemetery
Hudgins, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.4840874, -76.3138392

8. Powell-Winder Cemetery
Hudgins, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.4835197, -76.3133476

9. Powell Family Cemetery
Cricket Hill, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.4830900, -76.3129500

10. Powell Cemetery
Cricket Hill, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.4830600, -76.3129800

11. Holly Hill Cemetery
Hudgins, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.4799252, -76.3088840

12. Winder Cemetery
Cricket Hill, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.4793900, -76.3076900

13. Hudgins Cemetery
Hudgins, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.4799548, -76.3265496

14. Callis Family Cemetery
Redart, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.4663200, -76.2986600

15. Brooks-Hudgins Cemetery
Hallieford, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.4887800, -76.3350100

16. Green Cemetery
Hallieford, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.5014800, -76.3379600

17. Hodges Cemetery
Redart, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.4642780, -76.2951940

18. Trader Cemetery
Redart, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.4641110, -76.2959440

19. Brooks-Brownley Cemetery
Hudgins, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.4685968, -76.3185703

20. Payton Cemetery
Hudgins, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.4686302, -76.3207578

21. Mathews Baptist Church Cemetery
Hudgins, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.4709520, -76.3271860

22. Tabb Cemetery
Hudgins, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.4631185, -76.3164629

23. H. C. Smither Memorial Cemetery
Hudgins, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.4827995, -76.3407974

24. Atherton - Lewis Cemetery
Hallieford, Mathews County, USA
Coordinate: 37.4997200, -76.3471500