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
U.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. 
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.
Mrs. Diana Bessie Adam’s last letter to her son, postmarked Jan. 7, 1945 Anaheim, California, was stamped in red ink “Return to Sender Unclaimed.” Less than one week later, on Jan. 13, 1945, the War Department sent via U.S. Mail a Western Union telegram to Vern’s mother informing her of his death at sea. The family home was on Midway Drive RD4-Box 353.
Vern was survived by his wife Elta Elma Thurman Adams; son Daniel Jay, born May 28, 1939; daughter Arlene Marie, born Jan. 6, 1941; daughter Diana Fay, born Aug. 13, 1944,just 4 months old when her father was buried at sea in the South Pacific. Other survivors included his mother Diana Bessie; brother John, Class of 1939; brother Tommy, Class of 1944; nephew Don Swilter, Class of 1953.
Vern, your name is forever engraved on a marble memorial wall so far from the home town you left. You made the ultimate sacrifice.
RIP
Gone But Not Forgotten
11/5/2013
