I have found a crew list for SS BROWN VICTORY upon her arrival in San Francisco on June 26, 1945. Since most of the crew had been aboard the ship since March 1945, these men must have been aboard during the kamikaze attack of May 27, 1945. One crewman is listed as deceased, which matches the information that I have that one merchant mariner died in the attack (along with three members of the Armed Guard crew). The crew list follows, showing name and position held aboard ship. Note that some of the names are difficult to read due to poor quality copying.
Johansen, T.A. Master (i.e., captain)
Damitz, Earl D. Chief mate
Costain, Robert E. 2nd mate
Ramsey, Marvin A. 3rd mate
Nurmi, George E. Junior 3rd mate
Humphrey, John J., Jr. 1st radio operator
Lee, James C. 2nd radio operator
Willliams, Theophoulus G. 3rd radio operator
Conner, David L. Purser/pharmacist mate
Shepherd, Ivan O. Carpenter
Lerman, Ephriam Boatswain
Johnson, Terrell W. Maintenance man
Doherty, Daniel C. Maintenance man
Swanson, Erling R. Able-bodied seaman (A.B.)
LaMont, Donald L. A.B. [deceased; buried at Honolulu National Cemetery]
Bulla, Paul M. A.B.
McCullin, William R. A.B.
Bietschek, Edwin N. A.B.
Mellem, Christian E. A.B.
Browne, Robert E. Ordinary seaman (O.S.)
Frank, Russell R. O.S.
Hahn, Harry O.S.
Lavin, Joseph Chief engineer
Curry, Jack B. 1st assistant engineer
Carlson, Olaf W. 2nd assistant engineer
Nutt, Lee R. 3rd assistant engineer
Anderson, Austin G. Junior 3rd assistant engineer
Bystry, Jack J. Junior engineer
Stalmaker, Charles E. Junior engineer
Fowler, Harvey R. Junior engineer
MacGregor, Donald G. Chief electrician
Holmes, George H. Assistant electrician
Drake, David F. Oiler
Halfman, Donald F. Oiler
[Last name illegible], William A. Oiler [injured, left in hospital in Ie Shima]
Aubin, Darrell V. Fireman/water tender (FM/WT)
Nash, Robert H. FM/WT [injured, left in hospital in Ie Shima]
Guerard, Joseph J. FM/WT [last name difficult to read] [injured, left in hospital in Ie Shima]
Sawtell, Wayne L. Wiper
Nielsen, Clifton T. Wiper
Stigall, Ervil G. Wiper
Froneberger, John C. Cadet-midshipman, engine
Wittendorfer, Joseph Steward
Stratton, Cecil W. Chief cook
McGreal, Dominic F. Night cook/baker
Vance, William A. 2nd cook
Bustry, Paul A. 3rd cook [last name difficult to read]
Orey, Dick L. Messman
Schwab, Andrew Messman
Mollam, Earl V. Messman [last name difficult to read] [injured, left in hospital in Ie Shima]
Tucker, William C. Messman
Watson, Rexford L. Messman
Smith, Earl V. Messman
Garver, Virgil R. Messman
I do not know whether any of these men are still living, nor do I have contact information for any of them. If any are still living, you may possibly be able to find them, at least those with more unusual names, using an online telephone directory such as www.whitepages.com.
You may be able to obtain a more or less detailed report of the voyage by contacting the U.S. National Archives and Records Administration (NARA). See this page from the website I manage: http://armed-guard.com/searchmil.html, in particular section IV. Researching Ship Records. You will have to contact the Modern Military Records Unit at the NARA facility in College Park, Maryland. You would be particularly interested in the Armed Guard Logbooks and Reports for this voyage of BROWN VICTORY. Additionally you may be able to obtain a photocopy of the "Official Logbook" from BROWN VICTORY. Official Logbooks from merchant ships are kept at the NARA facility closest to the port at which a voyage ended. Since BROWN VICTORY ended the voyage in question in San Francisco, you would have to contact the NARA Regional Archive in San Francisco. The staff at the College Park facility would be able to advise you about how to contact the San Francisco facility. You will be charged for any research assistance but the NARA staff will let you know what the charge will be before they begin research on your request.
Good luck.
Ron Carlson, Webmaster
Armed Guard / Merchant Marine website
www.armed-guard.com
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