Chief Boatswains Mate Daniel Earl Cameron
 U. S. Navy

 

 

December 28, 1913 – September 8, 1942

Mobile National Cemetery

Section 7 Site 1921

Mobile, Alabama

 

 Gold Star Mother

Vera Louise (Smith) Cameron

 

 


Daniel Earl Cameron (December 28, 1913 – September 8, 1942) was born to James Earl Cameron (June 23, 1890 – March 3, 1936) and Vera Louise (Smith) Cameron (April 5, 1896 – February 21, 1925) at Dallas, Dallas County, Texas.  The family moved to Louisiana and then to Alabama in the 1920’s.  He was aboard the USS Vagrant (PYc-30) a converted yacht that was used for coastal patrol along the Rhode Island coast during WWII.  The boat was 117 feet long and 25 feet abeam. It carried a crew of 32 and was armed with two 50 caliber machine guns.  His cause of death was listed as homicide aboard the boat.  At the time of his death he was survived by his wife Shelia Louise (Britt) Cameron (September 7, 1918 - July 5, 1996) who was residing at Palacios, Texas and a sister, Joyce Merle (Cameron) Orton.  There is no known record to indicate BMC Cameron and his wife Shelia had children. 

 

It appears the only reason BMC Cameron was listed as a WWII non-battle casualty from Matagorda County was because his wife was living at Palacios, Texas presumably with her parents while he was in service.  There is no marriage record or other record to indicate he ever lived in the county.

Even though BMC Cameron did not live in Matagorda County we are proud to honor his service to our Nation on our county war memorial.
 


Daniel Earl Cameron

CAMERON - Funeral services for DANIEL EARL CAMERON, Chief Boatswains Mate, U.S.N.R., were held from the chapel of the Higgins Mortuary Tuesday morning at 10 o'clock with Lieut. H.H. Wells, Jr., Chaplain, U.S.N.R., and Dr. C. B. Arendall of the Dauphin Way Baptist Church officiating. Pallbearers were: Chief Boatswains Mate Hovelmeir, Chief Electricians Mate Wirsing, Chief Machinists Mate Wilkinson, Chief Commissary Steward Almario, Chief Carpenters Mate Walp and Chief Machinists Mate Urlich. A firing squad commanded by Chief Boatswains Mate M. C. Atwood fired three volleys at the grave. Interment was in the United States National Cemetery. Taps were sounded at the grave by Corp. Fred W. Comestock. Arrangements by the Higgins Mortuary.

Press-Register, Mobile, Alabama,  September 16, 1942
 


Application For Seaman's Protection Certificate
Personal Description
Age 18, Fair Complexion, Gray eyes, Brown hair, 5'10", 128 pounds
 


Daniel Earl Cameron

CAMERON - DANIEL EARL CAMERON, husband of Mrs. Sheila Britt Cameron, died in Newport, R.I., September 8, 1942. Deceased was a chief petty officer in the United States naval reserve. He is survived by his wife, Sheila Britt Cameron, Mobile; one sister, Mrs. Joyce Orton, of Little Rock, Ark.; one brother, Joe Price Cameron, of Charleston, S.C., and other relatives. Funeral services will be held from the chapel of the Higgins Mortuary Tuesday morning at 10:00 o'clock. Interment will be in the United States National Cemetery. Arrangements by Higgins Mortuary. 

Press-Register, Mobile, Alabama,  September 14, 1942
 


Brother of Little Rock Resident Killed.

Mrs. Paul Orton, 1318 Allis street, returned yesterday from Mobile, Ala., where she attended funeral services for her brother, Daniel E. Cameron, 28, killed by a machine gun bullet while serving as chief petty officer aboard a United States submarine patrol boat in the Atlantic.

Chief Boatswain's Mate William J. Little said that in attempting to free a jammed machine gun on Chief Cameron's boat, the gun was discharged accidentally, the bullet striking Mr. Cameron.

He was buried with full military honors at Mobile Tuesday. Besides his wife and Mrs. Orton, he is survived by a brother, Joe Price Cameron, Charleston, S. C.

Arkansas Gazette, September 18, 1942
 


With Our Men In The Service

Word was received here this week of the death of Daniel Earl Cameron by accidental gunshot in Newport, R. I., where he was stationed in the Navy. He formerly operated a crash boat for the army while living here.

Palacios Beacon, October 22, 1942
 


Mobile National Cemetery


 


 


 




Steps of the burial plot for Mrs. Cameron at Magnolia Cemetery, Mobile, Alabama.
 


Sheila Louise Britt Cameron
September 7, 1918 Tucker, DeKalb County, Georgia - July 5, 1996
 

Pictures courtesy of Mr. & Mrs. Clyde Helmer of Mobile, Alabama

 

Copyright 2006 - Present by Carol Sue Gibbs
All rights reserved
Created
Jan. 28, 2006		 Updated
Oct. 26, 2019
   

HOME