WORLD WAR MEMORIAL - Ensign Walter Clemens Speiser

 

Ensign Walter Clemens Speiser

Walter C. Speiser was a 1930 graduate of Defiance High School and a 1935 graduate of Ohio State University. The son of Walter Albert and Margaret (Clement) Speiser, he married to Hollis Lindemuth in Fort Wayne on April 12, 1936.

His father died in 1939, and his mother moved from Defiance, where he was born, to Fort Wayne, Indiana. He was employed there by the Prudential Life Insurance Company, and he may have thought his life was settled and secure, but it wasn't.

On May 24, 1942, he was commissioned as an ensign in the U.S. Navy Reserve. His first close call was reported in the Crescent-News on October 17, 1942, on the front page:

"FORMER DEFIANCE BOY, NAVY OFFICER IS RESCUED AT SEA

Adrift in an open lifeboat for 60 hours after his ship was torpedoed in the north Atlantic, Ensign Walter C. Speiser of Fort Wayne, former Defiance resident, is visiting in Fort Wayne on a two-week furlough.

Ensign Speiser graduated from Defiance high school in 1930 and from Ohio State in 1935, then taking a selling position with the Prudential Life Insurance Co. of Fort Wayne.

He was commanding officer of guards attached to a merchant marine ship which was torpedoed while on convoy duty. Speiser and others were adrift in a lifeboat about 60 hours before being rescued by a U.S. Coast Guard vessel. They were taken to the nearest point of land and then flown back to the United States.

Ensign Speiser was commissioned June 15 and sent to the Navy's armed guard schools at Boston and Chicago.

In Fort Wayne, he is visiting his wife, the former Hollis Lindemuth, and his aunt, Mrs. Anna B. Wells. His step-mother, Mrs. Stella Speiser, lives at 1045 Jefferson avenue here.  Ensign Speiser has several other relatives here, including three uncles, Charles Shondel, and John and Andrew Clemens, and an aunt, Mrs. Francis Mangas."

The James McKay

On December 6, 1942, he was on the James McKay, a steam merchant ship travelling in the North Atlantic enroute from New York to Belfast, Northern Ireland. For some unknown reason, the ship had fallen back from the rest of the convoy.

On December 8, "the vessel was hit by three torpedoes, the first amidships under the stack and the others behind. Distress signals were sent as the freighter immediately stopped and the crew abandoned ship in two lifeboats. At 2.02 hours, a coup de grace was fired from the opposite side. The explosion threw smoke and water 300 feet high, but the ship remained afloat. Another coup de grace fired seven minutes later missed, but at 2.19 hours, two heavy explosions occurred on the ship and she sank. None of the ten officers, 38 crewmen, and 14 armed guards was ever found."

(James McKay (American Steam merchant) - Ships hit by German U-boats during WWII - uboat.net)

They were hit by the German U-boat 600, Berthard Zurmuhler.

It took about a year for Ensign Speiser to officially be declared dead. His body was not recovered and he was buried at sea. A monument in Battery Park, New York City, lists the names of the 62 men lost in this attack.

His wife, Hollis, received a letter from the Secretary of the Navy, Frank Knox, which appeared in the Crescent-News on January 18, 1944.  In part, it said:

"In view of the time that has passed, the fact that the route was known to be threatened with enemy submarines, and because no personnel have been reported as prisoners of war, I am reluctantly forced to the conclusion that your husband is deceased."

Walter Speiser, had one surviving brother, Robert T. Speiser, chief pharmacist mate on active duty. 

Robert Carpenter, Researcher

WORLD WAR II MEMORIALS - Private Russel G. Garber

 

Private Russel Glen Garber

Born in Pulaski, Williams County, Ohio, on October 8, 1924, Russel Garber eventually moved to Tiffin Township in Defiance County. His parents, Wilson O. and Eunice G. (VanWagner) Garber moved from Pulaski to Michigan, where Eunice ran a restaurant and then back to Defiance County where their children, Beulah, Dorothy, Richard, Virginia and Russel were raised.

Russel had most of his schooling in Tiffin Township, but he quit school in his high school junior year because of illness. He was an active member of the Rural Chapel Church.

Russel was drafted from Defiance County in April 1943, along with 98 other selectees. Only 45 of these passed the physical in Toledo for the Army, but others went into the other branches of the armed services. After the draft, they were given a seven day furlough with their families. The group then met at the Armory in Defiance on April 9, 1943, where Marion K. Nest, former city patrolman, was named Acting Corporal of the group. Then they all boarded a Greyhound bus for Camp Perry.

Insignia of the Red Bulls

Garber was assigned as a private in the 109th Engineer Combat Battalion, 34th Division, attached to Company C and sent to Camp Reynolds, PA. His group embarked after December 19, 1943 to be stationed in Italy. Their job was to do whatever was needed which included building bridges under fire, constructing roads, setting mine fields and clearing them, patrolling and, if necessary, they fought with the infantry.

The 34th Division was known as the "Red Bulls"

The 109th Engineer Combat Battalion had a more historical crest which referenced a castle, signifying their building of military works, a cactus for past fighting in arid regions, and a fleur-de-lis for their fighting in France in both WW I and II. 

The 109th had more combat time - over 500 days -than any other U.S. division. The Unit was honored many times with Medals of Honor, Silver and Bronze stars and over 15,000 Purple Hearts.

By the time Private Garber arrived either at the end of December or first of January, 1944, the unit had spent a long time in Tunisia where their numbers were decimated. They were sent to Oran to train for an invasion of Italy. They went to Salerno and found that beachhead secured so they moved inland in the Italian boot.

At Cassino, the 34th had to cross the Rapido River, which was flooding. It was a tough crossing and many were lost due to mines and artillery. It was mud and snow and cold...the elements were against them, but they did get a bridge built for the infantry to cross, and then destroyed after the bridge was used.

In mid-February, they got relief and went back for replacement needs and to get their equipment cleaned and ready. Then it was on to Anzio Beach where the Germans had settled in. The 34th Infantry was brought in to strengthen the troops, as they were troubled by Germans intercepting communications. The battle continued in that area until mid-May.

On April 25, 1944, Army hospital admission records note that Private Russel Garber, 19, was killed in action by a shot through the thorax by artillery shells and fragments in Italy.

He was buried in the Sicily -Rome American Cemetery. His obituary did not appear in the Defiance Crescent-News until June 15, 1944:

"OBITUARY

Russel Glen Garber, youngest child of Wilson O. and Eunice O. Garber, was born in Williams County near Bryan, Ohio on Oct. the 8th in the year of 1924, and departed from this life on the battlefields of Italy on April 25, 1944. He was 19 years, 7 months and seventeen days of age.

Russel entered the armed services on April 9th, 1943. H was home on a five day furlough over Thanksgiving from Ft.Belvoir, Va. where he was stationed at that time. On his return to the camp, he was then sent to Camp Reynolds' Pennsylvania. From here he was sent across some time after Dec. 19th. He served as a private in Co.C. 109 Engineer Bn. 

He received most of his schooling in Tiffin township. He attended Tiffin township high school but was forced to quit because of illness. He attended the Rural Chapel Church.

He leaves to mourn this loss, a father, mother, 3 sisters: Mrs. Beulah Hannah, Tecumseh, Mich.; Mrs. Wilard Rowan, Evansport, O.; Miss Virginia Garber, Fort Wayne, Ind., and one brother, Richard L. Garber, who is also stationed in Italy; a grandmother, Mrs. Phoebe Elliott, 8 nieces and 4 nephews; many relatives and friends.

A MOTHER'S THOUGHTS

We gave him his body, 

God gave him his life.

Men took him far from us,

Men destroyed his life;

But men can never destroy his soul.

CARD OF THANKS

We wish to thank friends for kind words, sympathy cards and letters, and neighbors who helped us through the bereavement of our son and brother, Russel, and thank Rev. Ralph Miller for his service, Mrs. Newton Peterson, Mrs. Olen Mansfield for their singing and also thank you for the beautiful flowers.

Mr. and Mrs. W.O. Garber and Family"

Pvt. Russel G. Garber received a Purple Heart posthumously, presented to his father.

Scott  Lantow, Researcher

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL - 2ND Lieutenant George Lenz, Jr.

 

Second Lieutenant George Lenz, Jr.

Born on October 6, 1922, in Hicksville, Ohio, George Lenz, Jr. lost his mother, Nettie Blanche Lenz, when he was a small child in 1925. He had siblings who were much older, and it could be that the youngest of those helped raise him. His sister, Zola, was 43 and a teacher in the 1940 census when George was but 17.

His father, George Lenz, Sr., lived on Antwerp Drive and farmed. He was 50 when George was born. When George Jr. graduated from Hicksville High School in 1940, he went to Detroit, Michigan, for a few years into his brother, John's, business. However, in 1943, the draft came calling; he registered in Michigan.

 George entered the Army Air Corp in January of 1943, and he trained in New Jersey, Texas, Arizona, and Missouri.  He trained as a navigator and bombadier on the B-24 Liberator bombers and was assigned to the 720th Bomb Squadron, 450th Bomb Group, 15th Air Force.

He married Sue (Margie) Crockett of Stephens, Arkansas, on May 27, 1943. She was a sergeant in the Women's Army Auxillary Corps. They were, however, married in Kansas City, Missouri. After their marriage and a brief honeymoon, she returned to Fort Oglethorpe, Georgia, where she was stationed, and he went back to his Kansas City camp.

B-24 Liberator

His group was known as The Cottontail Group, as they had some vertical stabilizers on their plane painted white like rabbit ears. These planes were meant for heavy bombing and they worked throughout Germany, Romania, and France, bombing strategically certain aircraft factories, assembly plants, airfields and storage areas.

According to a report from the headquarters of the 450th

Bombardment Group, AAF, the mission that Lt. Lenz entered on December 29, 1944, was a very specific one. By now the group was hitting Italy and its supply chain. The Brenner Pass in Italy was the supply line between Austria and Italy. 

"Twenty-seven B-24 type aircraft took off at 0900-0918 hours to bomb the railroad loop in the Brenner Pass (Italy)... Sixteen aircraft dropped 48 tons of 1000 lb. bombs on the target at 1328 hours from 21,000-22,000 feet." 

Seven bombs dropped short of the target, and the Group Leader rapidly lost altitude after being severely damaged from flak. One aircraft dropped 3 tons of bombs to keep their altitude after losing two engines. One aircraft let a full load of 3 tons of bombs in the Adriatic Sea when their bombs failed to release over the target, and this aircraft has not been heard from. 

"One aircraft turned back before the target at 1248 hours, and this aircraft has not been heard from. Seventeen aircraft returned to base at 1645 hours. Two aircraft lost. Two aircraft missing. Six aircraft at friendly fields.

Photo coverage shows a good concentration on the tracks with 3 - 4 direct hits on the tracks...Flak moderate to intense, accurate and heavy at target.

Losses - 2 B-24 to flak, missing

Damage - 4 B-24 major damage, 2 minor damage

Casualties - one officer killed, one officer wounded, caused by flak"

From a group photo of his crew,
George Lenz Jr.

Second Lieutenant George Lenz, Jr. , the bombardier, with his crew was shot down, setting his plane on fire.  Six of the crew did not survive.

The Crescent-News, June 29, 1945

"Hicksville Bombardier Had Been Missing in Italy Since Dec. 28

Hicksville, June 29 -

Family of 2nd Lt. George Lenz Jr. have been notified by telegram that he is officially listed as dead.

He was a bombardier and had been missing in action in Italy since Dec. 28, 1944.

His wife, who resides in Stephens, Ark., notified relatives here after receiving a telegram from the was department.

Besides the wife, Lt. Lenz leaves a five week old

son, George Lenz III; his father, George Lenz Sr.;

two sisters, Mrs. Lavon Miller and Miss Zola Lenz;

and two brothers, Dale and John Lenz. The latter

lives in Detroit.

George's body was returned to the United States on July 8, 1949, and his wife oversaw his burial in the Little Rock National Cemetery in Arkansas.  Religious and military graveside services were held for George Jr, killed in action in Italy Dec. 28, 1944.

Little Rock National Cemetery, Little Rock, Arkansas, Section 12

Side Note: Sister Zola, born in 1897, married Harry Metz, and she was a teacher for many, many years. Mrs. Metz retired from Mark Center School in 1967.

Dianne Kline, Researcher

WORLD WAR II MEMORIAL - CMMM Leo J. Hoover

 

Chief Motorman Machinist Mate 

Leo John Hoover

The Hoover family lived at 217 Tacoma Avenue, Defiance with their four boys: Truxton, Leo, Richard and Thomas. Their parents, Paul George and Ethel Ellen (Roehrig) Hoover, raised the boys who experienced moves before settling in Defiance - Washington County, PA in 1920 and Cabel County, WV in 1930.

In 1939, Leo entered the Navy, training in New London,Connecticut and Norfolk, Virginia. He served several enlistments and had experience on different sorts of naval ships.

From the Defiance Crescent, December 18, 1934

"THREE LEAVE TO TRAIN FOR NAVY ENLISTMENT

Three Defiance youths left for Norfolk, Va., Monday to begin 90 day training course before starting a four-year enlistment in the United States Navy.

They are Edward Davison, 8, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Davison, 818 Deatrick Street; James Pessefall, 19, son of Mr. and Mrs. Ed. J. Pessefall, 860 Riverside ave.; and Leo Hoover, 18, son of Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hoover, 120 Auglaize avenue."

From the Defiance Crescent , September 11, 1937, page 1 -

"SCOUTS REPORT LEO HOOVER HURT IN CHINA TROUBLE

Rumor that Leo Hoover, 21, Defiance seaman, was injured during the Sino-Japanese trouble, were discredited today by the youth's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Paul Hoover, 120 Auglaize avenue, who said that had received no such word.

Young Hoover has been with the U.S. Navy three years. He is stationed on an oil tanker servicing the Asiatic fleet.

His last letter home told or his part in the search for Amelia Earhart, lost globe-girdling aviatrix, and her companion, Capt. Fred Noonan. At that time Hoover was stationed at Honolulu. The letter stated his ship had been ordered to Chinese waters and his parents believe the tanker is probably at or near the fighting zon3.

They said they placed no stock in the report and believe they would have been notified if their son had been hurt."

On October 4, 1941, at 9 in the evening, Leo married Elizabeth Sheila Howard Adamson, a widow with one little boy, while on a leave.  A Justice of the Peace presided in Kitsap County, Washington. At that time, he was assigned to the U.S.S. Biscayne. Not much else is known of the marriage.

At some point, he was assigned to the Submarine Force of the Pacific Fleet, and he found himself in the South Pacific in the spring of 1945.

Beginning on April 1, 1945, which was Easter Sunday that year, the Allies began to focus their interest on the capture of Okinawa. The Naval Pacific Fleet moved in, as did the Army and Marines. The Allies sunk the Japanese battleship, Yamato, and in retribution, the battle became even more intense.

The Japanese had a new kamikaze weapon they called a baka - a glider loaded with explosives and guided by one pilot who went to his death in the attack. They were dropped by bomber planes to target U.S. ships or other targets.

Leo Hoover's submarine was part of this U.S fleet, and it was reported that it was attacked by a torpedo. At impact, the torpedo exploded and, in this case, at least, the sub rose very quickly to the surface before sinking, causing an unbearable amount of pressure inside the sub. Leo's cause of death was hematemesis, vomiting of blood, after his internal organs suffered from the change of pressure and internal bleeding. He died May 6, 1945; V-Day occurred on May 8, 1945, and after the bombing of Hiroshima and Nagasaki in August, Japan surrendered on August 15, 1945.

CMMM Hoover was first buried in Australia and then sent back to Defiance for reinterment in 1948. 

"VETERAN'S BODY COMES TUESDAY

Legion Will Conduct Rites for Leo J Hoover Wednesday

Body of Leo J. Hoover, 29, chief motorman machinist's mate, who died May 6, 1945 while in submarine service in the Pacific and was buried in Australia, will arrive in Defiance late Tuesday afternoon over the Baltimore and Ohio and will be taken to the Mansfield Funeral Home.

The remains arrived in San Francisco Feb. 12, along with bodies of 2,792 servicemen aboard the U.S. Army transport ship, 'Cardinal O'Connell.

The American Legion will conduct services at the funeral home Wednesday at 3 p.m.  Burial will follow in Riverside Cemetery.

He was a son of Mrs. Ethel E. Hoover, 217 Tacoma Avenue; and Paul Hoover. He was born in Defiance Nov. 9, 1915. He had served almost ten years in the Navy at the time of his death.

Beside his parents, he leaves his wife, Elizabeth, Riddle, Oregon; and three brothers: Truxton Hoover, rt. 4, and Richard and Thomas Hoover, Defiance high school students."

(March 1948)

The "Cardinal O'Connell"

"FUNERALS

LEO J. HOOVER

"Services for Leo J. Hoover, motorman mechanic's mate, who died while serving in the Pacific war theater on a submarine, were held Wednesdays at 3 p.m. in the Mansfield funeral home here, followed by burial in Riverside cemetery.

Rev. C. Elmer Miller, United Brethren minister, had part of the service, and the American Legionnaires conducted military rites.

Pallbearers were Norman, Gene, and John Roehrig, Roger Morehead, and John and Donald Beatty. Robert Niswander sang with Ray V. Hull, accompanist.

Participating in the Legion service were: Commander Lawrence Dunbar; Chaplain Ralph Snodgrass; firing squad - Howard Aldrich, C.F. Duerk, Rolland T. Porter, Norman J. Schweitzer, Elmer Vaugh, Joe Tanner, George Steingass, and John Hammon, Jr.; and bugler, Robert Newman."

( Defiance Crescent News, March 11, 1949)

Riverside Cemetery, Defiance, Ohio

Dianne Kline, Researcher