June 29 – The coastal minesweeper USS Valaor (AMC-108) is sunk in a
collision off Newport, Rhode Island.
At the time of her loss on 29 June 1944, late that day, she was
patrolling the southern approaches to the Cape Cod Canal, alert to
the possible presence of enemy intruders on this highly traveled
coastal route. Minutes before 2200, as she patrolled north of
Cuttyhunk Island in Buzzard’s Bay, Valor was struck by the USS
Richard W. Suesens (DE-342). Within three minutes, the small ship
sank in the shallow waters off Mishaum Point at the western entrance
of Buzzard’s Bay. The destroyer escort rescued seven survivors; but,
although five other vessels joined in the search which continued
until sunrise, the seven remaining men on board were never found. The
following day, the survivors were transferred to facilities at the
Naval Operating Base, Newport, Rhode Island.
His remains were found and he was buried on July 31, 1944 in Woodlawn
Cemetery in Everett, MA.