{{Short description|U.S. Navy shipfitter (1921–2003)}} {{Infobox military person | name = Melvin Storer | image = File:Melvin Storer.jpg | caption = Storer in 1941 | birth_date = {{Birth date|1921|4|17}} | death_date = {{Death date and age|2003|12|27|1921|4|17}} | birth_place = Portland, Oregon, U.S. | death_place = Chula Vista, California, U.S. | burial_place = Glen Abbey Mortuary, Bonita, California, U.S. | nickname = Red<ref name=":14" /> | birth_name = Melvin Tyler Storer | allegiance = United States | branch = United States Navy Reserve | service_years = {{Plainlist| *1938–1945 *1948– }} | rank = {{Plainlist| *Shipfitter first class *Deep-sea diver }} | service_number = 4143534 | unit = | commands = {{Plainlist| *USS West Virginia (BB-48) *USS Yarnall (DD-541) }} | battles = {{flatlist| * World War II ** Attack on Pearl Harbor }} | awards = {{Plainlist| *Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal }} | alma_mater = {{Plainlist| *Franklin High School *Benson Polytechnic High School }} | spouse = {{marriage|Edith Dette Sherman|1973}} | other_work = Welder at Rohr, Inc. }}
'''Melvin Tyler Storer''' (17 April 1921 – 27 December 2003) was an American shipfitter, navy diver and welder who served in the United States Navy Reserve on the USS ''West Virginia'' and USS ''Yarnall''. He was aboard the USS ''California'' during the Attack on Pearl Harbor during World War II and was reported lost in action before being found as a survivor.<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":8">{{Cite news |date=1943-06-01 |title=Tar, Reported Dead, Visitor: Shipfitter Here On Furlough |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oregonian-tar-reported-dead-visito/155130213/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |work=The Oregonian |pages=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":9" /><ref name=":1" />
== World War II service == Storer joined the United States Navy Reserve on May 5, 1938.<ref name=":0">{{Cite news |date=1941-12-22 |title=Memorial Service Honors Pearl Harbor Raid Victim |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oregonian-memorial-service-honors-pe/155128582/ |access-date=2024-09-12 |work=The Oregonian |pages=12 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He was a shipfitter third class when enlisting on the USS ''California'' on July 16, 1940.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":12" /> In a plan to give active duty to more reservists, Storer was one of 11 men assigned to the first group from the sixth division.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Spalding |first=Jack |date=1940-07-21 |title=Life on Ocean Proves Magnet: 11 Local Reservists Assigned to Duty |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oregon-daily-journal-life-on-ocean-p/155129092/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |work=The Oregon Daily Journal |pages=18 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
Following his time at Pearl Harbor, Storer was later a shipfitter on the USS ''West Virginia'' and USS ''Yarnall'', first enlisting on May 15, 1942.<ref name=":12">National Archives at College Park; College Park, Maryland, United States; ''Muster Rolls of U.S. Navy Ships, Stations, and Other Naval Activities, 01/01/1939 - 01/01/1949''; Record Group: ''24, Records of the Bureau of Naval Personnel, 1798 - 2007''; Series ARC ID: ''594996''; Series MLR Number: ''A1 135''</ref><ref name=":7">{{Cite news |last=Dannals |first=Florence |date=1948-03-29 |title=Signs For New Hitch: Pearl Harbor '1st' Reenlists in Navy |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oregon-daily-journal-signs-for-new-h/155128934/ |access-date=2024-09-12 |work=The Oregon Daily Journal |pages=4 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> In 1943, he was promoted to shipfitter first class and deep-sea diver.<ref name=":1">{{Cite news |date=1943-02-13 |title='Missing' Sailor Wins Promotion |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oregonian-missing-sailor-wins-prom/155129601/ |access-date=2024-09-12 |work=The Oregonian |pages=6 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":10">{{Cite news |date=1943-02-11 |title=Brothers Advanced |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oregon-daily-journal-brothers-advanc/155130344/ |access-date=2024-09-12 |work=The Oregon Daily Journal |pages=14 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Storer was discharged in October 1945 and briefly worked as a Naval Reserve recruiter before re-enlisting on March 30, 1948.<ref name=":7" /><ref name=":4">{{Cite news |date=1948-03-30 |title=Man Reported Dead Re-enlists |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-capital-journal-man-reported-dead-re/126665174/ |access-date=2023-06-21 |work=Daily Capital Journal |pages=5 |via=Newspapers.com |volume=60 |issue=77}}</ref><ref name=":14">{{Cite news |date=1948-03-30 |title=Sailor, Once 'Dead,' Re-enlists |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oregonian-sailor-once-dead-re-en/155390581/ |access-date=2024-09-16 |work=The Oregonian |pages=11 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
=== Pearl Harbor attack === {{Main|Attack on Pearl Harbor}} Storer was supervising cleanup in the engine room on the USS ''California'' when an airstrike call came in.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Peterson |first=Mildred O. |date=1945-05-02 |title=Navy Man Visits Church Here Where Own 'Funeral' Held |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oregon-daily-journal-navy-man-visits/155130268/ |access-date=2024-09-12 |work=The Oregon Daily Journal |pages=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> It was dismissed at first, due to previous drills. Storer and others immediately closed watertight hatches between the compartments below deck. The damage had caused a power outage, spraying steam and ammunition had to be manually loaded into anti-aircraft guns. When the order to abandon ship was given, Storer leapt into the water 25 feet below. He swam until a boat rescued him and brought him back to the USS ''California'', where he made an attempt to help save the ship.<ref name=":3" />
====Aftermath====
During the three days prior to its sinking, Storer helped salvage the USS ''California'' while stationed at Ford Island.<ref name=":7" /> He was among about 200 of the salvage and gun crews who were counted by a delegation crew. Storer claims that list must have been misplaced and everyone listed was declared lost. He and three of his friends from home were presumed dead, along with one other who did actually die in the attack.<ref name=":11" /><ref name=":3" /> He was the first man from Portland who was reported killed<ref name=":4" /><ref name=":7" /><ref name=":14" /> but it was not determined how that error happened.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1948-03-30 |title=Portlander 'Killed' at Pearl Harbor Re-enlists |pages=3 |work=Albany Democrat-Herald |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/albany-democrat-herald-portlander-kille/134739669/ |access-date=2023-11-09 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
On December 16, 1941, Rear Admiral Chester W. Nimitz contacted Storer's mother and claimed he was one of many men missing in action.<blockquote>The Navy Department deeply regrets to inform you that your son Melvin Tyler Storer, shipfitter third class, U.S. Naval Reserve, was lost in action in the performance of his duty and in the service of his country.<ref name=":3">{{Cite journal |last=Gribble |first=Joanne |date=1975-12-07 |title=Telegram was wrong: 'Dead' man tells tale about Pearl Harbor Day |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/imperial-beach-star-news-telegram-was-wr/126665399/ |journal=The Star-News |volume=45 |issue=80 |pages=17 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref></blockquote>Services for Storer were held on December 21<ref name=":0" /><ref name=":14" /> at Laurelwood Methodist Church.<ref name=":1" /> A melancholy was held on Christmas with Portland Mayor Earl Riley as the presenter of a miniature flag and pedestal with Storer's name and rank engraved.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1941-12-17 |title=Storer Memorial Services Sunday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oregon-daily-journal-storer-memorial/155130049/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |work=The Oregon Daily Journal |pages=13 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |date=1941-12-22 |title=Wireimage photo |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oregonian-wireimage-photo/155128843/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |work=The Oregonian |pages=24 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> A week after the service, two postcards arrived on December 29, both with Storer's signature.<ref name=":3" /><ref>{{Cite news |date=1942-01-02 |title=Get Official Word |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oregon-daily-journal-get-official-wo/155129166/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |work=The Oregon Daily Journal |pages=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> Storer wrote to his parents dated from December 8 and December 12 to let them know he had survived.<ref name=":5">{{Cite news |date=1941-12-31 |title=Service Men: Where They Are What They're Doing |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/statesman-journal-service-men-where-the/155130467/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |work=Statesman Journal |pages=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":9">{{Cite news |date=1941-12-30 |title=2 Postcards Deny Death: Joy Brought to Home of Storers |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oregonian-2-postcards-deny-death-jo/155130600/ |access-date=2024-09-12 |work=The Oregonian |pages=6 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> On January 1, 1942, a telegram from Rear Admiral Randall Jacobs arrived.<blockquote>The Navy Department is glad to inform you that your son Melvin Tyler Storer, shipfitter third class, U.S. Naval Reserve, previously reported missing following action in the performance of his duty, is now reported to be a survivor.<ref name=":3" /></blockquote>In the aftermath of the attack, Storer stayed at Pearl Harbor for six months to help with the salvage and cleanup. He reunited with his family on a surprise visit during his leave, taking a bus from Bremerton, Washington.<ref name=":3" />
== Other work == In 1947, Storer was recruited as a naval diver to search Odell Lake<ref>{{Cite news |date=1947-06-04 |title=Navy Men Search Odell |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-and-news-navy-men-search-odell/134739716/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |work=Herald and News |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> for two fishermen who went missing and believed to have drowned.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1947-06-03 |title=Naval Diver Joins Search |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-and-news-naval-diver-joins-search/155129278/ |access-date=2024-09-13 |work=Herald and News |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> The search attempt was called off after Storer and another diver determined the temperature of the water was too cold for survival to have been possible.<ref>{{Cite news |date=1947-06-20 |title=Search For Fishermen Lost In Odell Lake Abandoned By Navy |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/herald-and-news-search-for-fishermen-los/155388575/ |access-date=2024-09-16 |work=Herald and News |pages=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> He later moved to Chula Vista and became a welder at Rohr, Inc.<ref name=":3" />
== Personal life == Storer was born in Portland, Oregon, to Frank<ref name=":5" /> and Lella Storer<ref name=":6">{{Cite news |date=1945-06-14 |title=Investigate Robberies |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-eugene-guard-investigate-robberies/134739554/ |access-date=2023-11-09 |work=The Eugene Guard |pages=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref name=":13" /> on April 17, 1921. He was baptized at Laurelwood Methodist Church, attended Joseph Kellogg School, Franklin High School,<ref name=":0" /> Benson High School,<ref name=":11">{{Cite news |date=1941-12-17 |title=Portlanders Mourn Sons Who 'Died in Action': School Quit For Navy |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-oregonian-portlanders-mourn-sons-who/155130019/ |access-date=2024-09-12 |work=The Oregonian |pages=12 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref> and was a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |date=2004-01-07 |title=Melvin Storer Obituary (2004) - San Diego, CA |url=https://www.legacy.com/us/obituaries/sandiegouniontribune/name/melvin-storer-obituary?id=51247606 |access-date=2023-05-19 |website=San Diego Union-Tribune |via=Legacy.com}}</ref> Storer married Edith Dette Sherman on May 6, 1973, in San Diego, California.<ref>State of California. ''California Marriage Index, 1960-1985.'' Microfiche. Center for Health Statistics, California Department of Health Services, Sacramento, California.</ref><ref name=":3" /> His brother, Corporal Joseph William Storer, was stationed at Camp Stewart.<ref name=":10" /><ref name=":8" /><ref name=":13">{{Cite book |last=Storer |first=Mahlon A. |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=UPdZAAAAMAAJ&q=%22melvin%20t%22 |title=The Storer Family, 1725-1962 |publisher=Emma Storer Marx. |year=1962 |location=Mundelein, Illinois |publication-date=1964 |pages=45 |language=en |id= |via=Google Books}}</ref>
== Death == Storer died on December 27, 2003, in Chula Vista, California and was buried at Glen Abbey Memorial Park in Bonita, California.<ref name=":2" />
== Commendations == {| class="wikitable" |+Awards !Image !Decoration !Notes !Ref. |- |100x100px|Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal ribbon and streamer |Asiatic–Pacific Campaign Medal |Attack on Pearl Harbor | rowspan="2" |<ref name=":6" /> |}
== References == {{reflist}}
== External links ==
* {{Find a Grave|147038466}}
{{Portal bar|Biography}} {{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Storer, Melvin}} Category:1921 births Category:2003 deaths Category:United States Navy personnel of World War II Category:Military personnel from San Diego Category:Military personnel from Portland, Oregon Category:People from Chula Vista, California Category:Attack on Pearl Harbor Category:Fraternal Order of Eagles Category:Welders Category:American underwater divers Category:Franklin High School (Portland, Oregon) alumni Category:Benson Polytechnic High School alumni Category:Burials at Glen Abbey Memorial Park