USS AARON WARD (DM 34) Memorial (Elgin, Illinois)

 memorial, interesting place, war memorial

A ship's anchor from USS AARON WARD (DM 34). Originally laid down in December of 1943 as a 376 foot long SUMNER-Class destroyer (DD-773), she was re-designated a destroyer minelayer (DM-34) on 19 July 1944 and commissioned in October 1944.
In 52 minutes on May 3, 1945 off of Okinawa, AARON WARD suffered direct hits from five of 10 kamikazes, three with bombs, and another plane struck her a glancing blow. Nineteen men were killed in action; six died of their wounds. Sixteen enlisted men were missing in action and never found. One hundred Sailors and officers were injured.
In September 1945, the war ended and USS AARON WARD was decommissioned, just 11 months after commissioning. This proud warship, one that Admiral Chester Nimitz called "A ship that can't be licked,” was sold for scrap in July of 1946. She had earned one battle star and the Presidential Unit Citation for World War II service.
The ship’s anchor is displayed overlooking the Veteran’s section of the Bluff City Cemetery in Elgin, Illinois. The dedication plaque reads that “the ship’s anchor from USS AARON WARD was presented by Mr. & Mrs. Harry J. Schroeder In memory of their son: Laverne H. Schroeder--Seaman Second Class USNR Killed in Action May 1945 off Okinawa while serving board this destroyer."
See www.ussaaronward.com/ especially www.ussaaronward.com/History/artifacts.htm .