Fallen Hero Vern Oliver Adams – AUHS Class of 1937

Vern Oliver Adams – Feb. 7, 1917 to Dec. 18, 1944

AUHS Class of 1937
Branch of Service:  U.S. Navy Reserve
Rank: Seaman Second Class Service ID: 08812793
Destroyer: U.S.S. Spence DD-512
Date of Death: Dec. 18, 1944 – South Pacific – Lost at Sea
Place of Interment: Tablets of the Missing Memorial wall and Manila American Cemetery Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines

Vern Oliver AdamsU.S. Navy Seamen Second Class Vern Oliver Adams United States Navy lost his life while serving aboard the destroyer U.S.S. Spence, DD-512 on 12-18-1944 off the coast of Samar, 240 miles from southern Luzon, Philippine Islands. When typhoon Corba struck the U.S.S. Spence on this infamous day, the destoyer capsized and sank to the ocean floor.  USS SPENCE_0001

Vern was among the 317 lives were lost at sea. Nine shipmates were rescued by the U.S.S. Swearer DE-181, U.S.S. Taberer DE-418 and the U.S.S. Gating DD-671.On board the U.S.S. Spence was another Colonist shipmate, Don Polhemus, class of 1940.  Both grew up in Anaheim, surrounded by Orange groves, Anaheim’s population at the time was 11,000 and the High School enrollment was 1,050 students, which included freshman through seniors with Mr. J.A.Clays as principal.  It is believed both Adams and Polhemus were campus acquaintance’s. The typhoon Corba brought these proud Colonist shipmates together forever in death. [Read more…]