FREDERICK E. GRAMMER, JR., LCDR, USN

Frederick Grammer, Jr. '52

Date of birth: September 12, 1929

Date of death: March 21, 1962

Age: 32

Lucky Bag

From the 1952 Lucky Bag:

Frederick Edward Grammer, Jr.

Bremerton, Washington

Bremerton, Washington, relinquished Fred to the Navy in 1948 after he spent a year at Washington State College. With a year of WSC rifle team experience under his belt, the Navy expert pistol and rifle medals were easy prey for him. Youngster year found Fred as one of the mainstays on the Academy sailing team for which he won his Navy "N" and a membership to the "N" Club. As a member of the Reception Committee his last three years, Fred furthered the relations between visiting teams and Navy. Far from being a Red Mike, Fred played the field with the fairer sex. His easygoing manner will carry Fred a long way in his Navy career.

Frederick Edward Grammer, Jr.

Bremerton, Washington

Bremerton, Washington, relinquished Fred to the Navy in 1948 after he spent a year at Washington State College. With a year of WSC rifle team experience under his belt, the Navy expert pistol and rifle medals were easy prey for him. Youngster year found Fred as one of the mainstays on the Academy sailing team for which he won his Navy "N" and a membership to the "N" Club. As a member of the Reception Committee his last three years, Fred furthered the relations between visiting teams and Navy. Far from being a Red Mike, Fred played the field with the fairer sex. His easygoing manner will carry Fred a long way in his Navy career.

Loss

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Frederick died on March 21, 1962 when the twin-engine S2F3 Tracker he was piloting landed on the deck of the anti-submarine warfare carrier Hornet, went out of control and plunged into the sea. The accident occurred at night about 90 miles west of San Diego during qualification landing exercises. The search was abandoned after several days. Lt (jg) Donald R. Porter of Chula Vista was also killed.

He been a member of Air Anti-Submarine Squadron (VS) 37 since 1960.

Biography

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Frederick was born in Massachusetts. As a 1947 graduate of Bremerton High School, he was known as “Freddy.” Activities were: Latin Club 2; Spanish Club 3. Future Plans: Engineering.
In November 1947, Robert enlisted in Company E of the 161st infantry, national guard in Pullman, Washington. In April 1948, he was R.O.T.C. cadet first sergeant at Washington State College and won the president’s medal for outstanding freshman military student.
Frederick married Carol Jean Johnson on 8/17/1957 in Los Angeles. He was stationed at Oak Harbor, Whidby Island then. They had three children: Frederick III (4 years old), Mae (2 years old), and James (6 months).
In 1940 his father Frederick was in ordnance at the Bremerton navy yard, and his mother was Catherine. In 1935 the family lived in Los Angeles and in Portsmouth, Rhode Island.
His father was born 9/19/1902 and died 4/3/1976. He enlisted in the Navy at age 14 on 9/4/1917 and served during WWI. In 1946 he was president of both the Navy and Veterans’ association and the United Veterans’ Council of Bremerton. In October 1958, he was honored with seven other PSNS employees. He was the labor relations officer in the industrial relations department who left the shipyard after 40 years, 8 months of government service.