Saving Their Legacy Part II: Two families bound by history
Signalman John Patrick Whiteman, a man whose service aboard the minesweeper YMS-346 would later be a cornerstone of his life in Seaford, where he raised a family.
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Photos from 80 years ago tell the story of a U.S. Navy crew - men bound by duty, stationed in the turbulent waters of the English Channel during World War II.
Among them was Signalman John Patrick Whiteman, a man whose service aboard the minesweeper YMS-346 would later be a cornerstone of his life in Seaford, where he raised a family.
In a quiet home, years later, Whiteman’s daughter, Mary Heider, sifts through letters and photographs her father left behind.
These keepsakes, remnants of a time long past, tell stories of bravery and camaraderie.
Heider is not alone in this journey.
Thousands of miles away, another family is also preserving its own collection of wartime memories - memories that would one day intersect with hers.
The connection between the two families began when Heider, inspired by her father's legacy, started a blog dedicated to his life and service.
"I was floored," Kim Harty says, recalling the moment she realized her father had served alongside Heider's dad on the YMS-346. "Oh my gosh, this woman's dad served with my dad."
Kim’s father, Signalman Neal Smith, had been a mentor to John Whiteman aboard the ship. Smith, a meticulous diarist, had recorded vivid accounts of the war's harrowing events. His diary, now weathered with age, is a window into the chaos and courage of D-Day.
On June 5, 1944, Smith wrote: "Well, here we go! We’ve just left Plymouth Harbor..." The next day, as the battle raged on, his words painted a dramatic scene: "A few minutes ago I saw a tank on the shore blow up—a direct hit, I guess. The noise... a steady boom! Bang! Kaboom!"
Later that night, Smith chronicled the terrifying effects of enemy fire: "The explosion about 300 yards from us threw water and mud at least twice the height of our mast."
Alongside Smith’s detailed accounts were sketches and a list of the men who served with him—many of whom were also aboard YMS-346. Today, the diary is barely legible, its ink fading as time marches on. But through Mary's blog, the story of these men is being preserved for future generations.
"This tells a story that people don’t know," Mary says of her blog. "And it’s important to remember."
To read Signalman Smith’s diary, click here.
To access Mary Heider’s blog, click here.
