Name: Ronald Gene McBRIDE
Rank / Rating: S1-Seaman First Class
Service #: 857 15 51
DOB: Feb 03, 1925
From: Barberton, OH
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Elburn McBride
Went Aboard: Sep 01, 1943
Age When Ship Went Down: 20 years, 5 months, 27 days
Spouse:
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Admin
Date Posted:

Seaman First Class McBride was born in 1925 the son of Mr. and Mrs. Elburn McBride of Akron, Ohio. He was the youngest of their 11 children, having five brothers and five sisters. Ronald attended Barberton High School and was a star basketball player during his school days.

He joined the US Navy when he was 18 years old and was sent for training to the US Navy Training Center in San Diego California. He reported aboard Indianapolis on September 1, 1943. Ronald served as a gunner aboard USS Indianapolis. Ronald's mother was visiting relatives in Athens, Ohio when her daughter took the telegram announcing that her brother was a victim of one of the war's last major enemy actions. Mrs. McBride collapsed and was brought home by ambulance. Ronald, who was 20 years old at the time of the sinking, told his parents when he was home on his last furlough that he had a premonition of a disaster. He told his parents, "I hate to leave this time... I feel something is going to happen." He had two brothers who were also in service; Melvin had been overseas for three years and Jack had been overseas for two years.