Age 27. 138 East Main Street, Arcade, NY. Born (birth surname Redden) on 10/09/1915, in Arcade, NY. Died of burns (death certificate). Chief Machinist's Mate, U.S. Coast Guard, stationed aboard the lighthouse tender U.S.C.G.C. Cowslip, docked at Commonwealth Pier, Boston. Known as "Don." To the Grove with fleet mate James Lane, U.S. Coast Guard, age 24 (Born 2/15/1918. Died as James W. Lane, Sr., on 1/04/2007, age 88. Last residence Duluth, MN), of Duluth, MN, also a Chief Machinist's Mate, injured. Pair were seated at a table near the foot of the cellar Melody Lounge stairs where an unnamed older couple was also sitting. Coast Guardsman Lane to Boston Police on 11/29/1942 (from the U.S. Marine Hospital, Brighton, MA): "I went up the stairway, and I believe my friend is still there." Latter at the spring 1943 Grove manslaughter trials (quote): "My buddy stood up on a chair and tried to cut down some of the blazing topside, and that was the last I saw of him" (The Boston Globe, 3/23/1943). "...Identification was made this noon [Tuesday], by a name on his shirt..." (First Naval District inquest transcript, 12/01/1942). Was attached to the Coast Guard since 1935. Was single. Stepparents Mrs. Rose A., same address, and the late Mr. John W. Lauer. Birth parents Mr. William H. and the late Mrs. Adeline (Fledderman) Redden. His birth mother died when he was 4 years old. "Don was reared by his uncle...a well known drilling contractor of this area. His father, William Redden, is a farmer of Arcade..." (Jeffersonian Democrat, Brookville, PA, 12/24/1942). Was living (with his stepparents) in Buffalo, NY, as of a 1935 census update. Birth father was still residing in Arcade, NY, at the time of the disaster. Was one of six active Coast Guard victims of the blaze (also Yeoman John Burke, age 34, Chief Commissary Steward William Clift, age 55, Seaman Donald Delander, age 19, Electrician's Mate Jerome Estes, age 27, and Lieut. Charles Fauci, Jr., age 21). Burial at Sts. Peter and Paul Cemetery, Arcade, NY, with full military honors. Middle name William.

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