USS Whitehurst DE-634 Plaque Displayed at the Navy Memorial, Washington, DC

Prior to the 2003 reunion in Peoria, IL of the 1950 and later crews of the USS Whitehurst DE-634, Roger Ekman Capt. USN Ret, suggested that we consider the Memorial Plaque program at the Navy Memorial in Washington, DC.  Al Crawford QMCM USN (Ret.), agreed to gather all the details and present the idea at the Reunion in October.  

After the details were presented, a proposal to raise the  $2500 cost, by asking for donations from the post WWII crews, was unanimously approved.  The sum of $850 was raised before the meeting was over.  Al Crawford was appointed fund raiser.  His request was mailed to everyone in the address list who served aboard Whitehurst after 1950.  The response was immediate and positive.  Enough was collected to pay for the Navy memorial plaque, an exact copy for reunion display ($125), all mailing expenses, with $1,325 left for a Navy related, non-profit project.  

In a business meeting at the 2004 reunion in Chattanooga, TN, the Whitehurst veterans voted to send the entire $1,325  to  the USS Slater DE-766, now a museum ship in Albany, NY.  In July, 2004, Treasurer, Arnold Pettijohn sent the check to the Slater Endowment Fund.

The Whitehurst veterans listed below, contributed to the fund for the Memorial Plaque.  We wish also to express our thanks to the many Whitehurst wives and companions who supported this effort.  All share equally in the effort to honor those who died as result of engagement with the enemy in WWII and those who served later in Korea, Viet Nam and beyond.

We who survive our departed shipmates do continue to Honor them.  We also dedicate this plaque to our family members alive today and to those of future generations who will visit the Navy Memorial, and the Navy Log seeking to learn what part crews of the USS Whitehurst played in making this world a better place.

Plaque Donors