Military Veterans

At approximately 09:20, when Rich was about 300 yards from the minesweeper Staff, which was in the process of taking Glennon in tow, a mine exploded 50 yards off Rich's starboard beam. This tripped circuit breakers, knocked out the ship's lighting, shook up the ship hard, and knocked sailors off their feet, but caused no structural damage. Within a minute, the engine room reported that they were "ready to answer all bells". Three minutes later, a second mine went off directly under the ship. Approximately 50 feet of her stern was blown off. Even though the blown-off stern section caught fire, survivors clung to her wreckage, and it sank shortly afterward. There was a three-foot sag in the main deck, and two torpedoes ran hot in their tubes. A third mine, another influence mine, exploded below the ice machine room forward, delivering the final blow 2 minutes later. The forward section was totally wrecked, the flying bridge demolished, and forward fire room severely damaged, and the mast came crashing down.  Life rafts were ordered cut loose, and Rich was ordered abandoned.

Several PT boats in a squadron commanded by LCDR John D. Buckley came alongside Rich to take off personnel. All this time, they were being shelled by German shore batteries.

A few minutes later, she sank in about 40 feet. Of her crew, 27 were killed, 73 were wounded, and 62 were missing; in all, 91 were killed outright or died of wounds following their rescue. Rich was the only American destroyer escort lost in the invasion force. 

Rich earned one battle star for service during World War II. 

From the USS Rich Survivors' Home Page 

    We all too often forget that our freedom came at a terrible price. This website is dedicated to all of the men and women who have fought - and in many cases, died - to win and preserve the freedom that we now enjoy.

   In particular, this site is in honor of the crew of one Buckley class Destroyer Escort that saw action during World War II, the USS Rich DE695. Nearly half of them would make the ultimate sacrifice in order to help assure that future generations could remain free.

   Born in 1943, the Rich's duty was to escort convoys across the Atlantic, guarding cargo and troop ships against attack from marauding submarines patrolling the shipping lanes between the United States and Europe. After another Destroyer Escort had broken down shortly before Operation Overlord was to begin, the USS Rich was ordered to take her place, running cover for the battleship Nevada BB36 during the largest amphibious assault the world has ever known.

   It was a different time. A time when people held different beliefs, followed different principles than so many of us do today. These were different men. They were a different breed. Courage and duty were what defined their lives. 

   Within this website, you will find true stories about these good men who did great, unselfish things. They deserve to have their stories heard by a generation that has forgotten the sacrifices they made. Sacrifices made so that we can enjoy the freedoms we now take completely for granted.

   They are true heroes. It is our honor that many of them still walk among us. We must never, ever, forget what they did.

From The New York Times, 14 July 1944:

Navy Communiqué 50, European Theater.

1. In Allied operations for Europe's liberation, the following U. S. naval ships were lost due to enemy action:  USS Tide (minesweeper), USS Partridge (fleet tug), USS Susan B. Anthony (transport), USS Glennon (destroyer), and USS Rich (destroyer escort).  

2.  Notification has been made to next of kin of these casualties.