Chelsea in Manhattan in New York County, New York — The American Northeast (Mid-Atlantic)
John Richard Ress, Jr.
Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 23, 2009
1. John Richard Ress, Jr. Marker
in memory of
John Richard Ress, Jr.
Seaman 1st Class U.S.N.
July 24, 1925 – October 31, 1941
U.S.S. Reuben James
“How little, when we parted last,
we thought those pleasant times were fast.”
St. Peters Church – Chelsea
Dedicated June 14, 1942
Erected 1942.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in this topic list: War, World II. A significant historical date for this entry is June 14, 1942.
Location. 40° 44.652′ N, 74° 0.113′ W. Marker is in Manhattan, New York, in New York County. It is in Chelsea. It is on West 20th Street east of Ninth Avenue, on the right when traveling east. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 346 West 20th Street, New York NY 10011, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Regionally, this marker is in New York City. It is also in the American Northeast and in the Mid-Atlantic. Globally, it is in the North Atlantic Region, North America, the Western Hemisphere, the Western World, and the Anglosphere. Historically, it finds itself in what was once New Netherland and also one of the original Thirteen Colonies.
this page online
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: The Muffin House (within shouting distance of this marker); Chelsea Historic District (about 500 feet away, measured in a direct line); Cushman Row (about 500 feet away); Gay Men's Health Crisis (about 600 feet away); 314 West 22nd Street (about 600 feet away); James N. Wells Mansion - 1835 (about 700 feet away); Dr. Gertrude B. Kelly Playground (approx. 0.2 miles away); Clement Clarke Moore (approx. 0.2 miles away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Manhattan.
Regarding John Richard Ress, Jr.. On convoy duty, Seaman Ress' ship, the destroyer USS Reuben James, was sunk by a torpedo attack from German submarine U-552 near Iceland on 31 October 1941, before the U.S. had officially entered the war. Of a crew of seven officers and 136 enlisted men, only 44 enlisted men and no officers survived.
Also see . . .
1. USS Reuben James (DD-245). Wikipedia article (Submitted on February 27, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York.)
2. The 1838 St. Peter's Episcopal Church -- West 20th Street. "Daytonian in Manhattan"
Photographed by Larry Gertner, July 3, 2009
2. John Richard Ress, Jr. marker and flagpole
Photographed by Larry Gertner, May 23, 2009
3. St. Peter's Church
from WW2today.com, unknown
4. USS Reuben James (DD-245)
From Www.rarenewspapers.com, unknown
5. New York Times, November 1, 1941
Credits. This page was last revised on January 31, 2023. It was originally submitted on February 27, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. This page has been viewed 297 times since then and 10 times this year. Last updated on February 28, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. Photos: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5. submitted on February 27, 2020, by Larry Gertner of New York, New York. • Michael Herrick was the editor who published this page.
