Navy Disaster Victim Given Last Rites
Palmer Springs, Va. Simple military rites were held recently at the Ascensiom Episcopal Church at Palmer Springs for STM/3 Cornelius Melroy Alexander who was one of the victioms of the Bennington Disaster at Quanset Point, R.I. on May 26.

The body was shipped to Palmer Springs escorted by U.S.N. Anderson, on June 1, and prior to the services on May 3. It lay in state in the church from 2 to 4 p.m. with STM Anderson and Lt. Robert Alvin Alexander as guards.

THE REV.REGINALD KENT of South Hill officiated. Music was furnished by the choirs from Ascension Church, Palmes Springs St Paul's Church, Union Level, VA and St. Mary's, Lacrosse, VA.
Honorary pallbearers were Milton N Alexander, Leonard Z. Alwxander, Vernus Alexander, Ceasar Alexender, brothers, Hanable Alexander, cousin and Peter Hendrick, brother-in-law.

FLOWER GIRLS Jennie Alexander Gayman, Deloris Hendrik, Eunice Talley, Rebecca Talley.
Out of town mourners were Mr. and Mrs. Chester Robinson and sons, Hayworth, N,J; Mr. and Mrs. Ceasar Alexander, Balto. Md; Lt. and Mrs. R.A. Alexander, Ft. Dix, NJ. Mrs Mary E. Gayman and daughter, Baltimire, N.J.
He is survived by father, mother five sisters, five brothers, five aunts, 18 uncles and other relatives.
Intermrnt was in the church cemetery.

Navy Disaster Victim Given Last Rites
New Journal and Guide (1916-2003); July 10, 1954;
Pro Quest Historical Newspapers Norfolk Journal and Guide
91921-2003) pg.6.


∼Steward Third Class Alexander was a crew member of the aircraft carrier, USS BENNINGTON (CVA-20), cruising in Narragansett Bay, Rhode Island. On May 26, 1954, a launching catapult exploded killing him and 101 fellow crewmen.

Steward Third Class Alexander was awarded the National Defense Service Medal.

C M Alexander
J E Arrigoni
F S Bacon
D Baird
C M Barber
R L Barnes
W N Baskin
G M Bemiss
R Boyd
T W Bryan
G W Byers
S L Capistrand
L Coleman
J Cromartie
P A Davis
A P Dean
R C Demers
C J Doll
H J Drew
R J Duffy
D J Eovino
R D Epps Jr
J L Favre
L F Fix
F W Fore
P E Fournier
F W Goins
E J Golaszewski
L Gonzales
D Goodrum
J N Green
T C Hackbarth
G J Hart Jr
D P Hillyer
D V Holloway
A P Hooker
C E Hopper
A Hubetsel
J W Hurd
H R Hustoft
R P Inge
B G Jackson
C Jackson
P B Jefferson
O H Kane
R H Keir
M King
D J Kovino
C E Krassy
A J Lakatos
F D Marchiselli
E S Martin
A J Matthais
B L Mayes
C H McGhee
L McNatt
G R Miller
A G Mills
T E Moody
J C Morton
R R O'Donnell
W O'Neal
E D Pendell
D L Phelps
F J Pramek
W Pugh
J H Ramey
M Reed
J Reyes
W Rich
C P Riley
J E Rivers
A L Robinson
C E Schmucker Jr
B Sico
D J Smith
R C Smith
R K Smith
C W Sommars
J T Stanford
C D Thomas Jr
E A Thomas
D R Thornhill
E Thornton
E C Tinney
P S Tondo
H M Triplet
J Van Der Hooning
K B Wages
M Williams
H L Willis
W William
G J Witvoet
P D Wonsetler
L G Woodum
H H Wright
R R Wright