Vernon Ervin Trevethan was born about 1925, in Watsonville, to Edward and Jeanette Trevethan who lived in the nearby community of Freedom. Vernon and his brother Edward were raised and educated in local grammar schools; Vernon attended Watsonville High School.

Trevethan enlisted in the US Navy in October 1942, and probably received his boot camp training at the US Naval Training center in San Diego. Later he received additional instruction at Portsmouth, Virginia, as a machinist mate before being stationed aboard the cruiser USS Birmingham serving in the Pacific Fleet.

“Assigned to TF 57, she [USS Birmingham] took part in the invasion of Saipan (14 June-4 August 1944); Battle of the Philippine Sea (19-20 June); invasion of Tinian (20 July-1 August); invasion of Guam (21 July); and Philippine Islands raids (9-24 September). She then served with TF 38 during the Okinawa raid (10 October), northern Luzon and Formosa raids (15 and 18-19 October), and the Battle for Leyte Gulf (24 October). During the latter she suffered topside damage from explosions on board Princeton (CVL- 23) while courageously attempting to aid that stricken vessel.”

Vernon Ervin Trevethan, MM3, USN, was listed as a crew member of the USS Birmingham that was Lost at Sea on October 24, 1944. This same action claimed the lives of 230 other crewman of the Birmingham who were attempting to save the USS Princeton during the battle of Leyte Gulf.

Trevethan was memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery in Manila. His awards include the Purple Heart.

(ABMC, WRP 1944/12/11, USNM; DANFS, USS Birmingham CL-62)