ROY VINCENT WASKO was Born in New York City to Albert Wasko and Amelia Pflug Wasko, he got to Texas as fast as he could. He graduated from a boys' high school at age 16 with a major in engineering. At 17, he enlisted in the pre-war Navy on destroyer USS Meredith (DD-434) in the Atlantic Fleet. After Pearl Harbor, he transited the Panama Canal joined up with USS Hornet and made history escorting the Doolittle Raid bombing Tokyo. In 1942, on a supply run with fleet tug USS Vireo towing a barge with badly needed aviation fuel for Guadalcanal, the convoy was spotted. Vireo was abandoned and crew taken aboard Meredith. The entire strike force of enemy carrier IJN Zuikaku, villain of the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, was in the air nearby. Having failed to locate their primary objective, they fell upon Roy's ship as a target of opportunity. Meredith was hit by over 20 bombs and torpedoes and sank, shooting down three enemy planes in exchange, 261 men, too many for the few life rafts that got loose, went into the water. Vireo was adrift, but floating away from the crew. Their fate was to endure thirst and baking sun and sharks were attracted by wounded men. Three days later, only 81 men were rescued by destroyer USS Grayson. No fewer than seven Navy ships were afterward named after Meredith crewmen - no other ship in history has had more ships named for her crew and 4 books were written. Vireo and its barge were recovered and the survivors of Meredith accompanied to Guadalcanal, where their mission to deliver fuel was completed. Roy continued to serve on destroyers, participating in nine major campaigns in the Pacific, earning the Purple Heart, the Silver Star, and four Bronze Stars.
In Orange, Texas commissioning a new ship he met and married the love of his life, Earline Dantin Wasko of Golden Meadow, Louisiana, with whom he spent 59 of his happiest years.
After the war he graduated from University of Southwestern Louisiana with a degree in mechanical engineering. He began work for DuPont on the heavy water project to support the hydrogen bomb. Roy completed his career at Amoco in Texas City and Chocolate Bayou.
He loved the laid-back South. A lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, his skill at bridge was feared and respected. Roy lived life the way he wanted for a full eighty-nine years, independent and defiant until the very end.
He is survived by his children Bob Wasko and wife Betty, Carolyn Baker, Bill Wasko and wife Susan, Paul Wasko and wife Zella. Grandchildren are Craig Wasko, Andrew Wasko, Mark Wasko and wife Jennifer, Kelly Jones and husband Randy, Brian Wasko and fiance Jaci. He leaves great-grandchildren Wyatt Wasko and Parker Jones and Loving Companion Muriel Duroux.
Visitation is 5pm to 7pm Thursday, October 18 with a rosary at 6:30pm. Interment is at Houston VA National Cemetery, next to his beloved wife Earline.
CROWDER FUNERAL HOME - DICKINSON
In Orange, Texas commissioning a new ship he met and married the love of his life, Earline Dantin Wasko of Golden Meadow, Louisiana, with whom he spent 59 of his happiest years.
After the war he graduated from University of Southwestern Louisiana with a degree in mechanical engineering. He began work for DuPont on the heavy water project to support the hydrogen bomb. Roy completed his career at Amoco in Texas City and Chocolate Bayou.
He loved the laid-back South. A lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, his skill at bridge was feared and respected. Roy lived life the way he wanted for a full eighty-nine years, independent and defiant until the very end.
He is survived by his children Bob Wasko and wife Betty, Carolyn Baker, Bill Wasko and wife Susan, Paul Wasko and wife Zella. Grandchildren are Craig Wasko, Andrew Wasko, Mark Wasko and wife Jennifer, Kelly Jones and husband Randy, Brian Wasko and fiance Jaci. He leaves great-grandchildren Wyatt Wasko and Parker Jones and Loving Companion Muriel Duroux.
Visitation is 5pm to 7pm Thursday, October 18 with a rosary at 6:30pm. Interment is at Houston VA National Cemetery, next to his beloved wife Earline.
CROWDER FUNERAL HOME - DICKINSON
ROY VINCENT WASKO was Born in New York City to Albert Wasko and Amelia Pflug Wasko, he got to Texas as fast as he could. He graduated from a boys' high school at age 16 with a major in engineering. At 17, he enlisted in the pre-war Navy on destroyer USS Meredith (DD-434) in the Atlantic Fleet. After Pearl Harbor, he transited the Panama Canal joined up with USS Hornet and made history escorting the Doolittle Raid bombing Tokyo. In 1942, on a supply run with fleet tug USS Vireo towing a barge with badly needed aviation fuel for Guadalcanal, the convoy was spotted. Vireo was abandoned and crew taken aboard Meredith. The entire strike force of enemy carrier IJN Zuikaku, villain of the sneak attack on Pearl Harbor, was in the air nearby. Having failed to locate their primary objective, they fell upon Roy's ship as a target of opportunity. Meredith was hit by over 20 bombs and torpedoes and sank, shooting down three enemy planes in exchange, 261 men, too many for the few life rafts that got loose, went into the water. Vireo was adrift, but floating away from the crew. Their fate was to endure thirst and baking sun and sharks were attracted by wounded men. Three days later, only 81 men were rescued by destroyer USS Grayson. No fewer than seven Navy ships were afterward named after Meredith crewmen - no other ship in history has had more ships named for her crew and 4 books were written. Vireo and its barge were recovered and the survivors of Meredith accompanied to Guadalcanal, where their mission to deliver fuel was completed. Roy continued to serve on destroyers, participating in nine major campaigns in the Pacific, earning the Purple Heart, the Silver Star, and four Bronze Stars.
In Orange, Texas commissioning a new ship he met and married the love of his life, Earline Dantin Wasko of Golden Meadow, Louisiana, with whom he spent 59 of his happiest years.
After the war he graduated from University of Southwestern Louisiana with a degree in mechanical engineering. He began work for DuPont on the heavy water project to support the hydrogen bomb. Roy completed his career at Amoco in Texas City and Chocolate Bayou.
He loved the laid-back South. A lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, his skill at bridge was feared and respected. Roy lived life the way he wanted for a full eighty-nine years, independent and defiant until the very end.
He is survived by his children Bob Wasko and wife Betty, Carolyn Baker, Bill Wasko and wife Susan, Paul Wasko and wife Zella. Grandchildren are Craig Wasko, Andrew Wasko, Mark Wasko and wife Jennifer, Kelly Jones and husband Randy, Brian Wasko and fiance Jaci. He leaves great-grandchildren Wyatt Wasko and Parker Jones and Loving Companion Muriel Duroux.
Visitation is 5pm to 7pm Thursday, October 18 with a rosary at 6:30pm. Interment is at Houston VA National Cemetery, next to his beloved wife Earline.
CROWDER FUNERAL HOME - DICKINSON
In Orange, Texas commissioning a new ship he met and married the love of his life, Earline Dantin Wasko of Golden Meadow, Louisiana, with whom he spent 59 of his happiest years.
After the war he graduated from University of Southwestern Louisiana with a degree in mechanical engineering. He began work for DuPont on the heavy water project to support the hydrogen bomb. Roy completed his career at Amoco in Texas City and Chocolate Bayou.
He loved the laid-back South. A lifetime member of the Knights of Columbus, his skill at bridge was feared and respected. Roy lived life the way he wanted for a full eighty-nine years, independent and defiant until the very end.
He is survived by his children Bob Wasko and wife Betty, Carolyn Baker, Bill Wasko and wife Susan, Paul Wasko and wife Zella. Grandchildren are Craig Wasko, Andrew Wasko, Mark Wasko and wife Jennifer, Kelly Jones and husband Randy, Brian Wasko and fiance Jaci. He leaves great-grandchildren Wyatt Wasko and Parker Jones and Loving Companion Muriel Duroux.
Visitation is 5pm to 7pm Thursday, October 18 with a rosary at 6:30pm. Interment is at Houston VA National Cemetery, next to his beloved wife Earline.
CROWDER FUNERAL HOME - DICKINSON
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
