Kenton E. Kuebker

On 24 October, U.S.S. Albert W. Grant joined TG 77.2 and sailed to engage a Japanese task force reported steaming northward from the Sulu Sea toward Surigao Strait. That American battleship group met the Japanese force in the Battle of Surigao Strait, and Grant, along with other destroyers in advance of the main battle line, conducted a torpedo attack under the cover of darkness during the early morning hours of the 25th. "Commenced attack on Jap fleet, our unit fired torpedoes at 04.05."

During this attack, she was hit and severely damaged by gunfire, not only from Japanese naval forces, but also by friendly fire from the light cruiser, USS Denver (CL-58). BKR1c Kuebker's ship got caught in the crossfire. "We were in cross fire at 04:08…We were hit regular for 3 minutes…" The Albert W. Grant suffered 13 hits, 3 from 120mm Japanese shells and 10 by American six-inch shells. "by 04.20 we were dead in the water with no power or lights except emergency lighting." Thirty-eight men were killed and 104 were wounded. Sadly, based upon the patter of Denver hits over half of the men killed were due to the Denver.

"It was now roughly 0745. In an emotion packed effort we transferred 38 men who were severely wounded (including Baker First Class Kenton William Kuebker) to NEWCOMB (destroyer U.S.S. Newcomb DD-586) where they would have more expertise and improved medical assistance. Sadly, a number of these men died later as a result of their wounds." Kenton was then transferred to the hospital ship, U.S.S Mercy (AH-8).

Baker First Class Kenton William Kuebker (S/N 638 70 66), U.S. Navy Reserve, died from his injuries that night. He was buried the next day 26 October 1944 on Leyte. His body was then moved and reinterred in the 7740 USAF Cemetery, Leyte #1, Palo, Leyte, Philippines Islands. After the war (autumn of 1947) his remains (along with 8,568 other American soldiers) were disinterred and brought to the American Graves Registration Service Manila Mausoleum. From there, according to the wishes of his next of kin (widow, Mrs. Lillian M. Kuebker), Baker First Class Kenton William Kuebker's remains were brought back to the United States and he was buried on 11 October 1948 in his final resting place in Fort Snelling National Cemetery, Minneapolis, Hennepin County, Minnesota – Section C. Block 24, Grave 13570.