WWII-KIA-SHEETS, William
Source: Veedersburg News __ June 1945
Mr. and Mrs. Albert Sheets here have received a letter from the commanding officer of the YMS 48, a US minesweeper which was destroyed and sunk last March. Assigned to the ship at the time was their son,
seaman Second Class WIlliam Sheets.
They had been notified that he was Missing In Action and, had received no further information until the letter from the officer arrived.
We explained that young Sheets was stationed at the main battery as ammunition passed when a direct hit disabled the gun and injured many of the gun crew.
Among those was Seaman Sheets, who, after receiving emergency first aid attempted to return to his gun station . Raging fire prevented him from getting over the side and into the water when it became necessary to abandon ship.
In spite of the fact that the water was calm and the visibility excellent and rescue ships spent hours in extensive search in the area, no trace of Seaman Sheets was found.
In closing the commanding officer stated that he and all men of the YMS 48 felt pride in being shipmates of Seaman Sheets, who discontinued his high school studies at 17 and enlisted in the Navy where he had served a year when his ship went down.
Fountain County, Indiana Facebook page – thanks so much to Jean H. !
Seaman 2/c William Robert Sheets (S/N 755 14 44). He was assigned to the minesweeper YMS-48 and first received on board on 27 November 1944.
The “U.S.S. YMS-48 was sunk by enemy action on Valentine's Day, 14 February 1945 at approximately 1500 item time in position 14-24.5 N. latitude, 120-33.5 E. longitude at the entrance to North Channel between Bataan Peninsula and Corregidor Island in 12 fathoms of water, visibility excellent, sea 0, wind 1, NE, while proceeding on true course 075°, acting as guide for minesweeping Unit III of TG 78.3.” Seaman Second Class William Robert Sheets , USN along with another enlisted man and one officer were reported seriously wounded and they went “Missing in Action” as a result of the “sinking of USS YMS-48 due to enemy action”. None of the three bodies were recovered.
USS YMS-48 - 14 February 1945
The minesweepers “proceeded on true course 025° from area Mabel to area Helen to sweep the latter area for moored and acoustic mines clearing North Channel to Manila Bay, P.I. The unit was ordered to sweep in starboard echelon formation, YMS-48 in lead. Upon arriving at NW corner area Helen course was changed to 075°T, speed 8 knots. First shot from enemy batteries on Corregidor was fired at approximately 1350 falling 150 yards short. Due to dust and smoke concealed batteries were invisible to lookouts. Sharp watch was kept for next revealing smoke puffs which showed several gun positions about 40-50 feet above water. Eight rounds rapid fire followed, six scoring direct hits on this ship. This vessel’s 3” main armament was knocked out of action and she was afire forward after third direct hit. Magazines were flooded, a voice radio message for assistance was transmitted to CTG 78.3, and a warning to MS Unit III to stand clear of area. Maneuvering tactics were attempted until propulsion engines and steering failed…Ship lay dead in water for about one minute until manual control could be established. YMS-8 attempted covering fire until forced to withdraw after taking shell hit. After the sixth direct hit all power failed, emergency firefighting gear was destroyed, entire midship section and four ammunition ready boxes were afire. Nothing further could be done for the ship without assistance. To avoid additional personnel casualties the order was given to abandon ship at approximately 1405. Number 4 life raft was lowered. Rafts #1 and #2 were burning. After all hands had abandoned ship two more shells struck adding to fires aft. U.S.S. HOPEWELL (DD-681) approached to pick up survivors. She was hit amidships by same batteries and retired. Three of the most seriously wounded men were put aboard life raft. Small arms fire was directed as survivors from Bataan shore and orders were given to spread out making less conspicuous targets. A strong tidal current was carrying all survivors toward enemy held positions on Bataan. About 45 minutes later after our aircraft had laid smoke between survivors and Corregidor, U.S.S. FLETCHER (DD-445), approached to pick up survivors at the same time shelling the Jap batteries. As survivors were being recovered U.S.S. FLETCHER poured 40mm fire into YMS-48 at water line and sunk her. All hands in water and afloat were rescued. One (1) officer (Ens. Harold C. Forsberg) and two (2) men (S2 William R. Sheets and SC3 William F. Smothers, Jr) reported seriously wounded were not recovered.” H. A. KAISER Commanding Officer, U.S.S. YMS-48.
Source: WWII War Diaries - USS YMS-48 - Rep of loss from enemy gun fire on Corregidor Is, Luzon Is, Philippines 2/14/45, pages 1 and 2.