Name: David Earl STANFORTH
Rank / Rating: F2-Fireman Second Class
Service #: 947 08 90
DOB: May 01, 1920
From: Abingdon, Illinois
Parents: David Emmitt Stanforth and Ethel May Ray Stanforth
Went Aboard: May 12, 1945
Age When Ship Went Down: 25 years, 2 months, 29 days
Spouse: Georgia Cramer Stanforth
Children: (1) not named
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Generous contribution from IWM 2015 Facebook Posting of Bios
Date Posted:

David was born in Abingdon, Illinois and was the third of six children. At the time of the sinking, he was 26 years old and married to Georgia Cramer having one child. David's brother Willard was also serving in the Navy during WWII and on USS San Francisco. He didn't find out about David’s passing until he was discharged.

Words from letter written to Captain McVay from David’s Sister showing the anxious need for information: My brother David E Stanforth F2c is listed as missing. We're all hoping for the best! Perhaps you could tell us something that would give us real hope of his returning or that we shouldn't build up our hopes for a great let down. Is it possible that some of these men could have drifted ashore on an island and not yet been discovered or were they too far out at sea? If you would please take time to answer my letter your effort will be greatly appreciated. I know any word would relieve our minds, especially that of my father who is a patient of the T.B. Sanatorium of Ottawa Ill. Also word of any kind would help my brothers in service. I have two brothers of aboard ship in the South Pacific. One brother in training at Fort Belvoir, VA. Sincerely yours, Mrs. William Cole Aledo Illinois RR #1 P.S. May I add too that David has a wife and son who needs encouragement to carry on during this period of waiting. Captain McVay’s Response: STANFORTH, David Earl, F2c, USNR, 947 08 90 October 31, 1945 My dear Mrs. Cole, Your letter of August 29th concerning your brother, David Earl Stanforth, Fireman second class, United States Naval Reserve, has just reached me here in the Bureau of Naval Personnel where I have been on temporary duty since my return from Guam the middle of last month. I regret that I can add nothing to my letter of September 29th addressed to your brother's wife at Delong, Illinois, which I trust reached her after your letter to me was written. It is difficult I know for you to understand why we cannot furnish more information. However, when it is realized the ship sank in the middle of the night in a very short time and that no records whatsoever were saved that may explain our difficulty in piecing together a coherent story. May I again express my heartfelt sympathy. Very sincerely, CHAS. B. MCVAY, III Captain, U. S. Navy