AN IOWA SAILOR LISTED AS DEAD
WASHINGTON, D.C. (AP)—The navy Friday announced 26 casualties in navy forces, including 18 dead, two wounded and six missing. Included was Merton Bernell Myers, son of Ralph W. Myers, Pocahontas, Ia., listed as dead.
Myers, 29, a machinist mate first class, is the first Pocahontas man known to have been killed in the present conflict. He enlisted in July, 1936, and had served in the Atlantic and Pacific fleets. He visited his parents last December. Two brothers, Dale and Ervin, also are serving in the navy.
This brings to 24,552 the total of navy, marine corps and coast guard casualties reported to next of kin since Dec. 7, 1941. The grand total includes 6,946 dead, 4,646 wounded and 12,960 missing.
Source: The Des Moines Register, Saturday, March 27, 1943
Our Neighbors in the Services
Pocahontas, Iowa – Merton Bernell Myers, 29, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ralph Myers of Pocahontas is the first Pocahontas man known to have been killed in the Second World War. His death occurred on March 10 according to a telegram from the navy department informing his parents that their son, a machinist mate first class, was killed in action in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country. He had served in the navy more than six years. He was home on leave the latter part of November. Two brothers, Dale and Ervin, are in navy service.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, April 4, 1943 (photo included)
IOWA HONOR ROLL
These Iowans, like the many carried here in previous Honor Roll listings, have given their lives for their country. Each one was either killed in actual combat or died in prison camp. The fourth line beneath each photograph indicates the war area in which the Iowan was serving. Additional pictures will be carried on future Sundays.
Source: The Des Moines Register, Sunday, February 6, 1944 (photo included)
Merton Bernell Myers was born May 29, 1913 to Ralph W. and Vivian E. Foley Myers. He died Mar. 10, 1943 and is buried in Renwick Cemetery, Renwick, IA and memorialized at the East Coast Memorial, Manhattan, NY.
Petty Officer Myers served in World War II with the U.S. Navy aboard the USS Eberle (DD-430) and died while serving aboard that ship in performance of his duty and in the service of his country.
The Destroyer Escort USS Myers (DE-595) was named in honor of Petty Officer Myers.
Source: ancestry.com
