This Military Service Page was created/owned by
Tommy Burgdorf (Birddog), FC2
to remember
Follett, Robert Raymond, MN2c.
If you knew or served with this Sailor and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Casualty Info
Home Town Maspeth, NY
Last Address 5715 64th ST Maspeth, NY (wife-Lillie Mielke Follett)
Casualty Date May 03, 1945
Cause KIA-Killed in Action
Reason Other Explosive Device
Location Japan
Conflict World War II
Location of Interment Arlington National Cemetery (VLM) - Arlington, Virginia
Memories Aaron Ward supported minesweeping operations around Kerama Retto and Okinawa until the time of the first landings. During that period, she accounted for three enemy aircraft. On 1 April, the day of the initial assault on Okinawa, the destroyer minelayer began screening the heavy warships providing gunfire support for the troops ashore. T hat duty lasted until 4 April when she departed the Ryūkyūs and headed for the Marianas. She arrived at Saipan on the 10 April but shifted to Guam later that day. After several days of minor repairs, Aaron Ward headed back to Okinawa to patrol in the area around Kerama Retto. During that patrol period, she came under frequent air attack. On the 27 April, she shot down one enemy plane, and the next day, accounted for one more and claimed a probable kill in addition. Then she returned to Kerama Retto to replenish her provisions and fuel. While she was there, a kamikaze scored a hit on Pinkney. Aaron Ward moved alongside the stricken evacuation transport to help fight the inferno blazing amidships. While so engaged, she also rescued 12 survivors from Pinkney.
