FREEMAN H. MYERS
Machinist’s Mate First Class · Plankowner, USS Silversides (SS-236) · Lieutenant
| Born / Died | 16 Mar 1914 / 24 Jul 1991 |
| Service no. | 320-87-80 |
| Commissioning rate | MM1c (15 Dec 1941) |
| Silversides tenure | 15 Dec 1941 – 12 Mar 1942; flag-allowance attachment from 30 Aug 1942 |
| Patrols aboard | 0 (the frontmatter says 1; see Research Notes) |
| Final rate | Lieutenant |
| Other vessels | Salmon, Tunny |
| Service | 16 Aug 1933 – 30 Apr 1955 (BIRLS) |
Prewar (1914–1941)
Freeman Myers was born on 16 March 1914. In 1930 the family lived in Akron, Iowa, where his father James (41) and mother Esther (38) had Freeman (16), Phyllis (14), “Jenne” (12) and Ada (5). He enlisted in the Navy on 16 August 1933, and the Sioux City Journal announced it on 24 August. He served in Salmon; the dates are not yet recorded. The 1940 census finds him in San Diego, a Machinist’s Mate Second Class who earned 25 rental at 930 Sampson Street.
On Silversides (Dec 1941 – Mar 1942)
Myers commissioned aboard *Silversides* on 15 December 1941 as MM1c. On 12 March 1942 he left for the Naval Hospital, San Diego, for treatment, which was before her first war patrol sailed. On 30 August 1942 he was back on the Silversides flag allowance (CSD 102) as CMM(AA), a date in the middle of her second patrol, so this was a paper attachment and not time aboard.
No patrols aboard.
Later War (1942–1945)
From Submarine Division 102 he went to Tunny for a war patrol on 17 May 1943 as CMM(AA). He returned to the CSD 102 muster and was appointed Ensign by BuPers circular letter 122-43 on 9 August 1943; both changes are recorded on that day.
Postwar (1945–1991)
BIRLS gives his discharge as 30 April 1955, and his Find a Grave memorial lists him as a Lieutenant in World War II and Korea. The 1950 census finds him at 3851 Bernice Drive in San Diego, in the Armed Forces, with his wife Neoma (28) and their two children, James (2) and Carol, born in October 1949; both children were born in Hawaii. He was no longer married to Ann. He died on 24 July 1991.
Research Notes
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Patrol count: the frontmatter says 1, but he left on 12 Mar 1942 and returned only on the flag allowance. The count is probably 0.
verify -
Rate jump: MM1c (Dec 1941) to CMM(AA) (30 Aug 1942) is two grades; find where and when. Salmon service dates are not yet recorded.
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Ensign date: 9 Aug 1943 looks like a record date. Check the Register for an earlier effective date and compare with the end of Tunny’s patrol. Confirm C/L 122-43 from the OMPF.
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1950 census: age is given as 38, but a 16 Mar 1914 birth makes him 36. Ann’s fate (divorce or death) and a marriage record for Neoma (c. 1946) are open; check his mother’s birthplace (Idaho) against 1930 and 1940.
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Departure: the file has no
departure_date; 12 Mar 1942 is the transfer date if the ROC confirms it. -
Source notes (carried over, verbatim):
Left 3-12-42 for USN San Diego for treatment.
CMM(AA) on Silversides Flag since 30 Aug 42.
Back on the Silversides Flag allowance (CSD 102) as CMM(AA) on 30 Aug 42, which falls during her 2nd war patrol, so this is a paper attachment and not necessarily time aboard. Shown going to Tunny for a war patrol on 17 May 43 from Sub Div 102 as CMM(AA). Returned to the CSD 102 muster (Silversides Flag allowance) from Tunny and appointed Ensign by BuPers C/L 122-43 on 9 Aug 43; both changes are recorded the same day. Enlisted 16 Aug 33 (BIRLS); enlistment announced in the Sioux City Journal, 24 Aug 33. BIRLS discharge 30 Apr 55; Find a Grave lists LT, WWII and Korea.
1930 Census Akron, IA. James Myers (41) and Esther (38). Freeman H (16), Phyllis (14), Jenne (12) and Ada (5). Age 16 fits the 16 Mar 1914 dob. “Jenne” transcribed as written.
1940 Census San Diego, CA. Freeman Myers (26) and Ann J (25). No children. Machinist’s Mate 2c, US Navy. Made 25 rental at 930 Sampson St.
1950 Census San Diego, CA, 3851 Bernice Dr. Freeman H Myers (38) and Neoma M (28). Two children: James L (2) and Carol L (born Oct 1949); both born in Hawaii. Freeman is listed as in the armed forces. Father born Iowa, mother born Idaho. No longer married to Ann J (1940). Age is off - a 16 Mar 1914 dob makes him 36 in April 1950, not 38. Both children born in Hawaii fits Pearl Harbor duty c. 1947-49. Open: Ann J’s fate (divorce or death) and a marriage record for Neoma, c. 1946; check mother’s birthplace against 1930/1940 (Idaho).Research Notes
Open items: (1) Did he make any Silversides war patrols? He left 12 Mar 42 and returned only on the Flag allowance mid-2nd patrol, so the count may be 0. (2) MM1c (Dec 41) to CMM(AA) (30 Aug 42) is a two-grade jump; find where and when (Salmon service dates are not yet recorded). (3) 9 Aug 43 looks like a record date; check the Register for an earlier effective date for the Ensign appointment and compare with the end of Tunny’s patrol. (4) 1950 census found; see age and marriage notes in that paragraph. (5) Confirm C/L 122-43 from the OMPF.
Sources: 1930, 1940 and 1950 census; BIRLS; Find a Grave; Sioux City Journal, 24 Aug 1933; Silversides muster and ROC.