The Sailors’ Memorial is in memory of the USS American Legion sailors who died off Whareroa Beach during the exercise:
Herbert C. Winfrey (Ensign)
Howard J. Britton (Seaman 1st Class)
Joseph P. Lorbietski (Seaman 1st Class)
William D. Roundtree (Seaman 1st Class)
Alva L. Skoog (Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class)
Kenneth G. Snow (Seaman 1st Class)
Alden P. Thatcher (Seaman 1st Class) - Alden Thatcher was the only man drowned whose body was never found
Charles F. Vetter (Seaman 1st Class)
Walter J. Yanghis (Seaman 1st Class)
Dale G. Cox (Seaman, rank unknown)
Its understood the men were initially buried in the Mackay family cemetery – alongside State Highway One in Queen Elizabeth Park. Their bodies were later repatriated to the United States.
the names of the men who died are now read each year by students from Kāpiti, Paraparaumu and Otaki colleges attending Memorial Day services in the park.
Relatives of H.C.Winfrey, A.L.Skoog and A.P.Thatcher have all visited the Memorial.