Chief Motorman Machinist Mate
Leo John Hoover
 |
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 |
No comments:
Post a Comment