World War II Honoree

William Alexander O'Meara

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Boston, Massachusetts

Honored By

U.S. Submarine Veterans, Inc.

FIRE CONTROLMAN SECOND CLASS PETTY OFFICER KILLED IN ACTION WITH ALL HANDS ONBOARD USS RUNNER (SS-275). DECORATIONS: BRONZE STAR, PURPLE HEART. ON MAY 28, 1943 USS RUNNER LEFT MIDWAY TO PROCEED TO LATITUDE 48 DEGREES, 30 MINUTES NORTH, LONGITUDE 154 DEGREES EAST AND BEGIN HER THIRD PATROL. SHE WAS TO PATROL SOUTH AND WEST FROM THIS SPOT, UNTIL SHE CAME INTO THE AREA SOUTH OF HOKKAIDO AND EAST OF THE NORTHERN TIP OF HONSHU, WHERE SHE WAS TO PATROL FROM ABOUT JUNE 8 TO JULY 4, 1943. THE SUBMARINE WAS NEVER HEARD FROM FOLLOWING HER DEPARTURE FROM MIDWAY. ON JULY 20, 1943 USS RUNNER WAS REPORTED AS PRESUMED LOST. DESTRUCTION BY A MINE IS CONSIDERED THE MOST LIKELY POSSIBILITY. USS RUNNER WAS LOST WITH 78 OFFICERS AND MEN.