Dave Edd Williamson was the son of James Avery Williamson and Rhoda Ann Whitehead. He was married to Marion Leah Trent and father of Patricia Marlene Williamson.
He died on 17 November 1943 and was officially declared dead on 18 November 1944. He is Memorialized at Manila American Cemetery in Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
Served on the U.S.S. McKean (APD-5). The U.S.S. McKean was torpedoed and sunk off Bougainville at 0350, November 17, 1943.
The McKean, along with 185 Marines set to be disembarked on Bougainville Island, was attacked near Empress Augusta Bay by Japanese pilot SFPO Gintaro Kobayashi who was in a Mitsubishi G4M “Betty” torpedo plane.
One of Kobayashi’s torpedo’s struck the ship rupturing her fuel tanks which caused the McKean to burst into flames and quickly sink with a loss of 64 of her crew and 52 of her embarked Marine troops.
The Knoxville News-Sentinel, April 19, 1943
First Class PO Dave E. Williamson, who saw nine months of Action in the vicinity of the Solomons, has returned to San Francisco after a furlough with his wife and daughter at 3126 Maxwell Avenue. He received his promotion to his present rank two weeks ago. While on furlough he saw for the first time his five-and-a-half months old daughter shown with him. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. J.A. williamson, and is awaiting orders to go to sea again. He has been in service four years, his wife said.
The Knoxville News-Sentinel, December 21, 1943
Petty Officer First Class Dave E. Williamson, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.A. Williamson, 1356 Matthews Place, and husband of Mrs. Marion Leah Williamson, 2512 Lawson Street, is among the casualties. He has seen service in the Solomon Islands.
- Rank: Motor Machinists Mate First Class
- Date of birth: 21 August 1921
- Date of death: 18 November 1944
- County: Knox
- Hometown: Knoxville
- Service Branch: Navy
- Division/Assignment: USS McKean (APD-5)
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XIV, Top Panel
- Sponsored by: Jim Henkel
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