John George MEINEMA

John George MEINEMA, Chief Carpenter’s Mate, USN. on USS Mayrant. DD-402. Born 9 February 1914 in USA. Husband of Naomi Elizabeth Meinema, nee Miller 24 Packard Avenue, West Somerville, Boston, Mass. Enlisted into the Navy 11 January 1940. 26 July 1943 he was injured in action while engaged in escort duties off the Italian coast (Palermo). Luftwaffe dive bombers dropped missiles, striking only two yards away. The near-misses caused extensive hull damage. The engineering section flooded. The entire crew fought to keep the electricity on and water out. She reached Malta in August for temporary repairs, and in November limped back to Charleston for extensive refitting. Causalities, five killed, eighteen injured. He died of his injuries in hospital on Malta 6 October 1943, aged 29 years.

Laid to rest 7 October 1943 in Capuccini Naval Cemetery, Malta in Plot F. Grave 116.
Repatriated to USA. Now at rest in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington County, Virginia, USA

Photograph credited to Paul Hays, on Find a Grave.