This site was created in memory of John Patrick Whiteman,
Signalman Third Class (SM3c), and in honor of the crew of the USS YMS-346 for their role in American history.
One minesweeper, one group of brave men and a lasting legacy.
Crew
Photographs of the officers and crew
1943 -1944
Anniversary
First year celebration
20 August 1943 -
20 August 1944
Ship
Photographs of the ship, specifications
and related information
Letters
A selection of letters and original cartoons
1942 - 1945
Family
Photographs of family
at home
1943 - 1944
Please visit the Blog to learn more about the inspiration for this site.
August 20, 1943 found a group of officers and men leaving Jacksonville,
Florida - starting on new careers and missions........
August 20, 1944 finds a group of seasoned sailors who have gone through more than mere words could describe, still sweeping in enemy territory........
August 20, 1945 may that date find ever-lasting peace all over the world
and all of us just "kids" again, home with our loved ones. To those who are
making the Navy their career and who will still be in uniform when the rest of
us are home enjoying American Freedom -MAY GOD BE WITH THEM ALWAYS.
- Yeoman Meyer H. Leavitt (1944)