 |
North
High School Wall of Honor
John Harry Connors
Graduated in Class of June, 1942
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|
Research done by Claradell Shedd, Class of 1953. PAGE IN PROGRESS |
| John
Harry Connors |
| John
graduated in the North High class of June, 1942. He enlisted in the
US Merchant Marines in 1942 in Des Moines. His next of kin is listed
as Mr. John J. Connors, 2100 Olive Avenue, Des Moines, IA. John's service
number was ________. |
| John Harry Connors |
|
| Year |
|
Rank |
|
Status |
|
| June, 1942 |
|
x |
|
Graduated from North High,
Des Moines, IA |
| 1942 |
x |
Enlisted in
US Merchant Marines |
x |
In the Merchant Marines in Des Moines,
IA. |
| 1943 |
x |
Enroute |
x |
Train/Des Moines to Chicago to New
York. |
| April, 1943 |
x |
Basic Training/
*Merchant Marines/ Messman |
x |
Basic Training; Sheepshead Bay Training
Station,
Brooklyn, New York, which was active from
September 1942 to February 28, 1954. |
| date |
x |
x |
x |
1-1/2 months'
training at Great Lakes Naval Training Station,
Great Lakes (Chicago), IL |
| x |
x |
x |
x |
Additional correct information
to be entered below coming from family. |
| date |
|
Enroute |
|
HITCHHIKED from Great Lakes to Long
Beach, CA |
late summer
1943 |
x |
Enroute |
x |
Long Beach, CA to Bombay,
India on
**S.S. Uruguay |
| 1945 |
x |
On Location |
x |
In Philippines during
first atomic bomb drop |
| 1945 |
x |
Family |
x |
Married Marjorie Leonard |
| 1946 |
x |
Where? |
x |
"Unofficially"
left U.S. Merchant Marines. |
| 1950-1977 |
x |
Employed |
x |
Des Moines Fire Department. Des Moines
Fire Captain. Retired in March, 1968 |
| 1950-1977 |
x |
Employed |
x |
President of Local 4,
representing fellow Des Moines firefighters for 20 years |
| 1972-2004 |
x |
Employed |
x |
Elected to Iowa House
of Representatives, retiring in 2004. |
| NOTE: |
x |
re Military
Recognition |
x |
In 1988, the US Government officially
(and finally) recognized
the U.S. Merchant Marines of the U.S. Maritime Service as "military
service." |
Buried:
03/09 |
x |
x |
x |
Iowa Veterans Cemetery; Van Meter,
Dallas County, Iowa, USA; Plot Wall 1, Row B, Site 46. Find A
Grave Memorial #61080260 |
|
*The
USMS (US Maritime Service) was first established under the Coast Guard
and later supervised by U.S. Navy officers. Many of its first recruits
in 1938 were from the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC). Men, caught
up in the patriotic fervor of the time, came forward to serve in the
fledgling U.S. Maritime Service. There were 37 Official U.S. Government
Recruiting Offices set up around the country. Radio and newspaper ads
brought in the thousands of young patriotic men, as young as 16 years
of age, from every State who answered their country's call to serve.
Some Offices were located next to Navy and Coast Guard Offices. Many
men were sent to the USMS by U.S. Navy and Coast Guard recruiters who
said, "That's where your service is needed."
Thousands of active and retired mariners, Navy, and Coast Guardsmen
were pressed into duty to serve as administrators and instructors in
the U.S. Maritime Service. They believed then, and still believe today,
they joined a uniformed, armed service! Many of these were cheated out
of service and retirement time. [They are still seeking veteran status
from the Air Force Secretary. The USMS was an official U.S. Government
organization, while the WASPs and most of the other groups who received
veteran status were either under contract to the Government or unofficial
organizations. WASP instructors and women who failed the training program
received veteran status.]
The USMS took over 250,000 raw recruits and turned
them into fighting mariners. They taught them operation of anti-aircraft
guns and cannon. They taught navigation, engine operation and maintenance,
and deck operations aboard training vessels that operated in hazardous
waters subject to mines and attack by German and Japanese submarines.
The United States Maritime Service trained men for
the U.S. Merchant Marine, and U.S. Army Transport Service to transport
supplies and personnel in the largest fleet of freighters, tankers,
and transports in history to bases all over the world for U.S. and
Allied forces. Men at the fronts depend on this important service
for bombs, gasoline, shells, ammunition, food, guns, vehicles, planes,
medicine, and other materials for warfare.
The ships of the U.S. Merchant Marine and
U.S. Army Transport Service were on the frontline as soon as they
left their docks and harbors. The enemy mined some harbors, and submarines
and raiders waited for their prey outside of the harbors, especially
on the East and Gulf coasts of the United States.
|
 |
 |
 |
 |
top:
S.S. Uruguay (Moore-McCormack);
above: Iowa Veterans Cemetery, Van Meter, IA; Plot: Wall 1, Row
B, Site 46
Gravesite photo above by Larry Kinyon, 11/03/10. |
|
**S.S.
Uruguay/complete
history of S.S. Uruguay
The California was sold to U.S. Maritime Commission and refurbished
(including removal of one funnel) for passage from New York to Buenos
Aires by American Republics Line, operated by Moore & McCormack
Lines. To carry out President Roosevelt's wishes for good will with
South America, the California was renamed the S.S. Uruguay, and became
the flagship of the Good Neighbor Fleet.
February 12, 1943:
While transporting 5,000 troops in an Atlantic convoy crossing, the
USAT Uruguay was rammed U.S.S. Salamonie creating a 70-foot wide gaping
hole. The tanker had steering equipment problems and hit the Uruguay
amidships with a force that drove the tanker's bow into the ship's hospital.
13 Army soldiers were killed (7 dead and 6 missing) and more than 50
soldiers were injured. The impact lifted a soldier from his cot, dropping
him on the tanker's deck. The ship withdrew and the transfer of the
soldier was not known until after the troopship had turned towards Bermuda
for repairs. (Note: Based on information provided by Jan Narkiewicz,
we have determined that there were in fact three soldiers dropped on
the tanker's deck. Two of them were lost at sea.)
A temporary bulkhead was constructed and three days later the ship was
brought into a safe harbor. Master Albert P. Spaulding saved many lives,
his ship, and her cargo. At a later date, the President of the United
States took pleasure in presenting the Merchant Marine Distinguished
Service Medal to Albert P. Spaulding, Master of USAT Uruguay. |
|
John
Harry Connors
Rank
U.S. Merchant Marines
U.S. Maritime Service
|
|
|
|
|
03/07/09. Died 03/07/09. Des Moines, IA 50316. |
| Music:
"Heave Ho! My Lads! Heave Ho!" |
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