History came full circle on Tuesday, June 17, 2014. The Whiteside County Board was gifted a rare item tied to the County’s origin, a noble naval craft, and a veteran yeoman of the U. S. Navy.
In 1836, Whiteside County, IL, was created from parts of Jo Daviess and Henry Counties. The new political entity was named after the man at left, General Samuel Whiteside, (April 12, 1783–January 12, 1866.) It seemed apropos, because Whiteside earned his credentials as an Illinois pioneer; political figure; military commander of the Rangers during the war of 1812; Colonel of the Territorial militia; Brigadier General during the Black Hawk War. He also helped select the site for the State capital.
Seventy-eight years, three months, and ten days after his passing, the County’s name would grace the USS Whiteside (AKA-90), a 1940’s era Andromeda-class attack cargo ship. She served as a commissioned ship for 13 years and four months. The ship has a documented history of its own.
Whiteside (AKA-90) was laid down on April 22, 1944, at Oakland, CA, by the Moore Dry Dock Co. under a Maritime Commission contract (MC hull 1190), launched on June 12, 1944. She was sponsored by Mrs. Miriam C. Becker, delivered to the Navy on September 11, 1944, and commissioned that same day, with Commander C. P. Woodson in command. Click here to see an original, handwritten ship’s log by men under his command from 1944 to 1945.
Between September 11, and November 7, the attack cargo ship [was] fitted out, conducted shakedown training, and underwent post-shakedown availability. She then loaded her first cargo at San Francisco, CA, and got underway on the 18th for Hawaii. The ship arrived at Oahu on November 24, and remained in Pearl Harbor until December 6.
On the latter day, she put to sea to participate in Army amphibious exercises at Maui. During a retirement exercise on the night of December 13-14, Bayfield (APA-33) rammed Whiteside on her starboard side near her number two hold. Whiteside returned to Pearl Harbor on December 18 to await repairs, which began with drydocking on the 24th. She completed repairs on January 12, 1945, and resumed amphibious training with other ships of Transport Squadron (TransRon) 16 at Maui and Kahoolawe Islands. Those operations lasted until January 18, 1945.
USS Whiteside also saw action in the Korean War Conflict. Afterward, she made routine voyages between San Francisco, CA, and Japan for the remainder of her career. The ship was decommissioned at Astoria, OR, on January 30, 1958, but remained in reserve with the Pacific Reserve Fleet until the spring of 1971. At that time, she was sunk as a target.
Arlo W. Ericson saw active duty aboard the USS Whiteside, during World War II, as a Navy Yeomen. Yeomen serve as office managers and perform other clerical and administrative duties. He said he “was an office typist [who compiled] records.” He compiled–and still has–his own military record, which Ericson described as a “complete packet.” He maintains the roster of those who served aboard the ship during its WW II campaign. “There are a dozen on the roster,” and he “know[s] two really well [from] when [he] was there.” He estimated he has two-thirds of the 174 names of those who served aboard the Whiteside during the Korean Conflict.
On Tuesday, June 17, 2014, he carried out a modern-day mission to Morrison, IL. Ericson, right, delivered to Whiteside County Board Chairman Jim Duffy, left, the last American flag to fly atop the USS Whiteside. He also donated a large blue and gold banner stating the ship’s name and years of operation.
The men are shown at Odell Public Library 307 S. Madison Street, Morrison, during a reception and light supper. Lynn Dykstra, Dana Nelson, and Sandy Prescott arranged for and served the refreshments.
Whiteside County Administrator Joel Horn explained the Board decided that would be “more relaxed and give people an opportunity to meet with Mr. Ericson,” prior to the formal presentation at the 6:30 p.m. Board meeting. There are 27 members on the Board.
Members of the Whiteside County Veterans Assistance Commission were present. They included Superintendent Terry Woodard; President Lou Hummel; Vice President-Secretary Robert Czuprynski.
The presentation case displays the 48-star flag. The lid is etched with the insignia of the U. S. Navy and this message: “USS Whiteside AKA-90, ‘Mighty Ninety,’ 1944-1958.”
Inside, a printed card adds additional information: “Flag case donated in honor of veterans who served aboard ‘The Mighty Ninety’ and in memory of CWO3 Edwin DaCosta Bradford, SC, USN (RET) SA, SN, SK3–6/51 to 12/52.”
How did this flag from 1958 reach Morrison? Ericson explained, “A sailor aboard ship for the longest period got the flag when it was decommissioned [in 1958].” He did not know who the first owner was. “Richard Lake was the second man” to hold it; Edwin Bradford cared for it. It eventually was given to Arlo Ericson for safekeeping. Ericson, age 86, stated he wanted to ensure the artifact was properly donated, without burdening his descendants. What better place than Whiteside County?
In 1947 Ericson was discharged from the Navy and met his sweetheart, Iola. They married in May 1949. She stated they celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary last month.
Morrison Marine veteran Dale Usterbowski, Horn, and Ericson prepare to disband and deploy to the County Boardroom, for official presentation of these treasured naval materials from USS Whiteside AKA-90.
Although it appears small, an American flag waves on the stern at the bottom left corner in this photograph. Perhaps it is the very one that has come home from service, thanks to the generosity of Arlo W. Ericson.
