TFH 3/10: Three sailors on the USS Eberle

The USS Eberle (DD-430) was a Gleaves-class destroyer commissioned into the United States Navy on December 4, 1940. The ship served in the Atlantic Fleet and escorted convoys in the North Atlantic and also participated in the November 1942 invasion of North Africa. On December 26, 1942, Eberle sortied from Naval Station Norfolk for Recife, Brazil to assume patrol duties in the South Atlantic.

The South Atlantic may seem to have been "out of the action" for the war raging in Europe, but that wasn't the case. Nazi German ships attempted to run Allied blockades to get essential war materials. On March 10, 1943, Eberle on patrol encountered one such blockade runner, the Karin. After firing on the enemy ship and forcing her to stop, Eberle dispatched a boarding party. As the Americans boarded the German vessel, the enemy crew detonated demolition charges.

Three of the Americans on the boarding party were decorated with the Navy Cross for their heroism. They were Seaman First Class Alexander J. Bisheimer, Lieutenant Frederick L. Edwards, Jr., and Signalman Third Class William J. Pattison.

Navy Cross Citation for SN1 Alexander Joseph Bisheimer:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Seaman First Class Alexander Joseph Bisheimer (NSN: 2836754), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving on board the Destroyer U.S.S. EBERLE (DD-430), in action against the enemy in the Atlantic Ocean, on 10 March 1943. When an enemy blockade runner was intercepted, Seaman First Class Bisheimer, as a member of a boarding party from the U.S.S. EBERLE, assisted in an effort to salvage her and obtain information regarding the enemy. He remained on board the Blockade Runner until several explosions rocked her and forced him to dive overboard into the water from whence he was recovered. The bravery, intrepidity and heroism displayed by Seaman First Class Bisheimer in the action described reflected great credit upon himself and upheld the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

It appears that Bisheimer remained in the Navy, served in the Korean War, and passed away in 2002. He rests in the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.

Navy Cross Citation for LT Frederick L. Edwards, Jr.:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Cross to Lieutenant Frederick L. Edwards, Jr., United States Naval Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession as Boarding Officer on board the Destroyer U.S.S. EBERLE (DD-430), when an enemy blockade runner was intercepted and destroyed on 10 March 1943, in the South Atlantic Ocean. When the EBERLE was ordered to put a boarding party on the hostile ship, Lieutenant Edwards courageously led his party to the runner and was the first to board her. In the face of grave danger from the rapidly spreading fires and explosion of demolition charges, he made an energetic and determined effort to salvage the ship and to obtain information of the enemy. Only after several explosions had rocked the vessel and she began to sink did he dive over the stern into the sea, from which he was later rescued. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.

I could not find any post-March 10, 1943 information for Lieutenant Edwards. If he is still living (born June 17, 1918), he'd be approaching his 95th birthday.

Navy Cross Citation for SM3 William Joseph Pattison:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Signalman Third Class William Joseph Pattison, United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while serving on board the Destroyer U.S.S. EBERLE (DD-430), in action against the enemy in the Atlantic Ocean, on 10 March 1943. When a hostile blockade runner was intercepted and attacked, Signalman Third Class Pattison, as a member of a boarding party attempting to salvage the vessel, was the second man to reach her deck. Despite grave danger from threatening flames and the powerful explosions of demolition charges, he courageously assisted in conducting a determined effort to execute salvage operations, and by his skillful use of semaphore flags kept his own ship accurately informed of the situation, remaining at his post until the runner began to sink. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the Navy of the United States.

SM3 Pattison, age 22 at his death, hailed from New York City. I don't know where he was laid to rest; it's entirely possible his remains either weren't recovered or more likely he was buried at sea. His heroism and sacrifice however did not go unmemorialized. On February 27, 1945, the Navy commissioned the high-speed assault transport USS William J. Pattison (APD-104). The Pattison made it to the Pacific for the waning days of World War II, but did not see any major action. She was decommissioned in 1946 and scrapped in 1962.

The Eberle herself was also decommissioned in 1946 but got a second career with the Greek Navy in 1951, in which she was known as the Niki. She then served Greece until being scrapped in 1972.