I recently received word of the passing of another of our beloved WWII Destroyer Escort Commanders, Richard E. Warner, USNR (ret) at his home in Lodi,
CA. He passed away February 8, 2005.
Those at SLATER won't ever forget his enthusiastic spirit during the times he visited us as part of the DECO delegation, another time with his Grandson Bradley and most recently with the reunion
of the USS KENDALL C. CAMPBELL DE-443, when he toured the SLATER decks with "his boys"and daughter, Katie Burke. Comdr. Warner served as Executive Officer of DE-443 during the Pacific Campaign and
was appointed to the Command of USS GEORGE DE-697 following the Japanese surrender.
Dick worked tirelessly on SLATER's behalf and contacted many of his former DE associates and their families to secure donations for the ship. It was also through his efforts that SLATER received
the donation of 15,000 Visitor's Guide brochures from the Duncan Press in Lodi. This firm was founded by a former DE sailor, Donald Bedford, USS PETERSON USCG DE-152 and his family provided this
special printing in tribute to his memory.
I am also posting the Death Notice on SLATER's Bulletin Board. True to form, Dick had requested that any memorial tributes on his behalf be sent as donations to USS SLATER DE-766; Destroyer Escort
Historical Museum, PO Box 1926, Albany, NY 12201-1926.
Submitted by
Pat Perrella
