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Naval History and Heritage Command

Naval History and Heritage Command

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  • Ship History
Wars & Conflicts
  • World War II 1939-1945
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Myers (APD-105)

Merton Bernell Myers was born 15 January 1921 in Long Island City, N.Y., and enlisted in the Navy 23 August 1939 at Indianapolis, Ind. As machinist’s mate first class, he was serving in Eberle (DD‑430) when on 10 March 1943 his ship intercepted German blockade runner Karin in the South Atlantic. Myers volunteered for the boarding party which valiantly tried to save Karin from demolition charges set by her crew. All efforts were to no avail; after helping his shipmates to escape the sinking death trap, Myers was killed in a violent explosion. For his gallant sacrifice, he was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.

(APD‑105: dp. 1,650; l. 306'; b. 37'; dr. 12'7"; s. 24 k.; cpl. 204; a. 1 5", 6 40mm.; cl. Crosley)

Myers (DE‑595) was laid down 15 January 1944 by Bethlehem‑Hingham Shipyards, Inc., Hingham, Mass.; launched 15 February 1944; sponsored by Mrs. Ralph W. Myers, mother of Machinist’s Mate First Class Myers; reclassified APD‑105 on 17 July 1944; and commissioned 26 March 1945, Lt. Donald H. Petterson, USNR, in command.

After shakedown off Cuba, Myers returned to Norfolk, where she trained officers and men assigned to new APDs. After a period of refresher training in the Caribbean, she proceeded to Newport, R.I., to train prospective crews for new carriers and cruisers. She continued operations along the east coast until decommissioning 13 January 1947 and entering the Atlantic Reserve Fleet at Green Cove Springs, Fla. She was struck from the Naval Vessel Register 1 June 1900; converted to a floating power plant; and sold to Colombia.

Published: Thu Aug 11 18:48:42 EDT 2022