S1C Richard Patrick "PAT" Mack was born 13 Oct. 1924, in Norwalk, Huron County, Ohio, the son of William Earle Mack; and Olive M. Mack. He attended Norwalk High School, but left before graduation to enlist in the U.S. NAVY on 21 November 1941; just days BEFORE the attack on Pearl Harbor.

He served aboard USS Braine (DD-630); USS Maumee (AO-2); and finally, USS Bismark Sea (CVE-95).

BISMARCK SEA was launched 17 April 1944 by Kaiser Co., Inc., Vancouver, Wash., under a Maritime Commission contract as ALIKULA BAY; sponsored by Mrs. M. C. Wallgren, wife of Senator Wallgren; renamed BISMARCK SEA 16 May 1944; transferred to the Navy 20 May 1944; and commissioned the same day, Captain J. L. Pratt in command.

During July and August 1944 BISMARCK SEA escorted convoys between San Diego, Calif., and the Marshall Islands. After repairs and additional training at San Diego, she steamed to Ulithi, Caroline Islands, to join the 7th Fleet. During 14-23 November 1944 she operated off Leyte in support of the operations and later took part in the Lingayen Gulf landings (9-18 January 1945). On 16 February she arrived off Iwo Jima to support the invasion. On 21 February 1945 despite damaging gunfire two Japanese suicide planes hit and started uncontrollable fires and set off ammunition. All efforts to save the ship were halted by the exploding ammunition and she sank in 90 minutes with the loss of 318 men.

BISMARCK SEA received three battle stars for her World War II operations.

USS Bismarck Sea (CVE-95) was a Casablanca class escort carrier of the United States Navy. She was launched on 17 April 1944 by Kaiser Co., Inc., Vancouver, Washington, under a Maritime Commission contract as Alikula Bay; sponsored by Mrs. M. C. Wallgren, wife of Senator Monrad Wallgren; renamed Bismarck Sea on 16 May 1944; transferred to the Navy on 20 May 1944; and commissioned the same day, with Captain J. L. Pratt in command.

During July and August 1944, Bismarck Sea escorted convoys between San Diego, California, and the Marshall Islands. After repairs and additional training at San Diego, she steamed to Ulithi, Caroline Islands, to join Admiral Thomas C. Kinkaid's 7th Fleet. During 14–23 November 1944, she operated off Leyte in support of the operations and later took part in the Lingayen Gulf landings (9–18 January 1945). On 16 February, she arrived off Iwo Jima to support the invasion.

On 21 February 1945, despite heavy gunfire, two Japanese kamikazes hit the Bismarck Sea, first on the starboard side under the first 40 mm gun (aft), crashing through the hangar deck and striking the ship's magazines. The fire was nearly under control when the second plane struck the aft elevator shaft, exploding on impact and destroying the fire fighting salt water distribution system, thus preventing any further damage control. Shortly after, the order was given to abandon ship. The USS Bismarck Sea sank with the loss of 318 men, and was the last US Navy aircraft carrier to be lost during World War II. Three destroyers and three destroyer escorts rescued survivors over the next 12 hours, between them saving a total of 605 officers and men from her crew of 923. Survivors were then transferred to Dickens and Highlands.

According to the Dictionary of American Naval Fighting Ships, USS Edmonds directed the rescue operations of the remaining hands, saving 378 of the carrier's crew including the commanding officer, in spite of darkness, heavy seas and continuing air attacks. Thirty of Edmonds' own crew went over the side to bring the wounded and exhausted carrier men to safety.

History
United States
Name: USS Bismarck Sea
Builder: Kaiser Shipyards
Laid down: 31 January 1944
Launched: 17 April 1944
Commissioned: 20 May 1944
Fate: Sunk by kamikazes[1] during the Battle of Iwo Jima on 21 February 1945
General characteristics
Class and type: Casablanca-class escort carrier
Displacement:
7,800 tons (light)
10,400 tons (full load)
Length: 512 ft 3 in (156.13 m) overall
Beam:
65 ft 2 in (19.86 m)
108 ft 1 in (32.94 m) maximum width
Draft: 22 ft 6 in (6.86 m)
Propulsion:
2 × 5-cylinder reciprocating Skinner Unaflow engines
4 × 285 psi boilers
2 shafts, 9,000 shp
Speed: 19 knots (35 km/h)
Range: 10,240 nmi (18,960 km) at 15 kn (28 km/h)
Complement: 923
Armament:
1 × 5-inch/38 cal DP gun
16 × 40 mm AA cannon in 8 twin mounts
20 × 20 mm AA machine guns in single mounts
Aircraft carried: 27
Service record
Part of: United States Pacific Fleet (1944-1945)
Operations:
Philippines campaign
Invasion of Iwo Jima
Awards: 3 Battle stars

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1930 Census/Norwalk, Huron, Ohio; Roll: 1823; ED: 0020; Page: 11A
Household Members:NameAge
William E Mack/Head/44
Olive M Mack/Wife/28
William R Mack/Son/7
Joan K Mack/Daughter/6
Richard P Mack/Son/5
Ellen J Mack/Daughter/4y-1mo
Daniel A Mack/Son/2y-11mo

Colleen A Mack/Daughter/8mo

1940 Census/Norwalk, Huron, Ohio; Roll: T627_3088; ED: 39-23; Page: 12B
Household Members:NameAge
William E Mack/Head/53
Olive M Mack/Wife/37
William R Mack/Son/17
Joan K Mack/Daughter/16
Richard P Mack/Son/15
Ellen J Mack/Daughter/14
Daniel A Mack/Son/12
Colleen A Mack/Daughter/10
Calvin E Mack/Son/9
Robert C Mack/Son/7

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World War II and Korean Conflict Veterans Interred Overseas
Name: Richard P Mack
Inducted From: Ohio
Rank: Seaman First Class
Combat Organization: United States Navy Reserve
Death Date: 21 Feb 1945
Monument: Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Last Known Status: Missing
U.S. Awards: Purple Heart Medal

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The Citations for the Newspaper Articles I Posted are:

Norwalk Reflector Herald
Norwalk, Ohio
Wednesday, July 21, 1943
Brothers MEET In TOWN

Norwalk Reflector Herald
Norwalk, Ohio
Saturday, February 12, 1944

Norwalk Reflector Herald
Norwalk, Ohio
Monday, March 5, 1945

Sandusky Register Star News
Sandusky, Ohio
Tuesday, March 6, 1945

Norwalk Reflector Herald
Norwalk, Ohio
Wednesday, April 4, 1945

Sandusky Register Star News
Sandusky, Ohio
Thursday, April 5, 1945

Norwalk Reflector Herald
Norwalk, Ohio
Saturday, April 7, 1945

Sandusky Register Star News
Sandusky, Ohio
Friday, April 13, 1945

Norwalk Reflector Herald
Norwalk, Ohio
Monday, June 25, 1945

Sandusky Register Star News
Sandusky, Ohio
Tuesday, June 26, 1945