Background
Cates was born in Drummonds, Tennessee, April 30, 1916.
Cates was born in Drummonds, Tennessee, April 30, 1916.
He enlisted in the United States Naval Reserve on January 21, 1942. While serving as Seaman Second Class in United States Ship San Francisco (California-38), Cates was killed in action November 12, 1942 when a Japanese torpedo plane, which he kept under fire while refusing to leave his station, crashed aboard the ship. United States Ship Cates (Delaware-763) was named in his honor.
The ship was launched October 10, 1943 by Tampa Shipbuilding Company, Incorporated., Tampa, Florida, sponsored by Mistress
P. Dyer, and, commissioned December 15, 1943.