[Name inscribed on headstone at time of Colleen's death, but he was cremated/ashes with daughter, Bobbi.]
Harley Robert "Bob" Ayers was raised in Michigan where he learned to swim and water ski. He also loved boats and sailing, so joining the Navy during WWII was a natural for him. He earned the rank of Seaman 2nd Class Gunner's Mate.
On 18 Dec 1944 after only being on his first assignment (the USS Spence -DD-512) for 11 days, Typhoon Cobra struck with winds up to 140mph. Three destroyers, USS Hull, USS Spence, and USS Monaghan, capsized and went down with practically all hands, while a cruiser, five aircraft carriers, and three destroyers suffered serious damage. A total of 790 officers and sailors on the USS Spence perished that day. Bob was one of the very few who survived the ordeal.
His strength and survival instincts were heavily tested as he drifted for days in the shark infested ocean. A surfaced Japanese submarine was an additional danger which he managed to elude.
The story of his personal survival was written in history and documented in the book, "Halsey's Typhoon."
Harley Robert "Bob" Ayers was raised in Michigan where he learned to swim and water ski. He also loved boats and sailing, so joining the Navy during WWII was a natural for him. He earned the rank of Seaman 2nd Class Gunner's Mate.
On 18 Dec 1944 after only being on his first assignment (the USS Spence -DD-512) for 11 days, Typhoon Cobra struck with winds up to 140mph. Three destroyers, USS Hull, USS Spence, and USS Monaghan, capsized and went down with practically all hands, while a cruiser, five aircraft carriers, and three destroyers suffered serious damage. A total of 790 officers and sailors on the USS Spence perished that day. Bob was one of the very few who survived the ordeal.
His strength and survival instincts were heavily tested as he drifted for days in the shark infested ocean. A surfaced Japanese submarine was an additional danger which he managed to elude.
The story of his personal survival was written in history and documented in the book, "Halsey's Typhoon."
[Name inscribed on headstone at time of Colleen's death, but he was cremated/ashes with daughter, Bobbi.]
Harley Robert "Bob" Ayers was raised in Michigan where he learned to swim and water ski. He also loved boats and sailing, so joining the Navy during WWII was a natural for him. He earned the rank of Seaman 2nd Class Gunner's Mate.
On 18 Dec 1944 after only being on his first assignment (the USS Spence -DD-512) for 11 days, Typhoon Cobra struck with winds up to 140mph. Three destroyers, USS Hull, USS Spence, and USS Monaghan, capsized and went down with practically all hands, while a cruiser, five aircraft carriers, and three destroyers suffered serious damage. A total of 790 officers and sailors on the USS Spence perished that day. Bob was one of the very few who survived the ordeal.
His strength and survival instincts were heavily tested as he drifted for days in the shark infested ocean. A surfaced Japanese submarine was an additional danger which he managed to elude.
The story of his personal survival was written in history and documented in the book, "Halsey's Typhoon."
Harley Robert "Bob" Ayers was raised in Michigan where he learned to swim and water ski. He also loved boats and sailing, so joining the Navy during WWII was a natural for him. He earned the rank of Seaman 2nd Class Gunner's Mate.
On 18 Dec 1944 after only being on his first assignment (the USS Spence -DD-512) for 11 days, Typhoon Cobra struck with winds up to 140mph. Three destroyers, USS Hull, USS Spence, and USS Monaghan, capsized and went down with practically all hands, while a cruiser, five aircraft carriers, and three destroyers suffered serious damage. A total of 790 officers and sailors on the USS Spence perished that day. Bob was one of the very few who survived the ordeal.
His strength and survival instincts were heavily tested as he drifted for days in the shark infested ocean. A surfaced Japanese submarine was an additional danger which he managed to elude.
The story of his personal survival was written in history and documented in the book, "Halsey's Typhoon."
Family Members
Siblings
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
