USS Enterprise was operating off Hawaii (20º27'7"N, 158º27'5"W) on the morning of January 14, 1969, an MK-32 Zuni rocket fixed to an F-4 Phantom on the U.S.S. Enterprise (CVAN 65) overheated due to the exhaust of a nearby aircraft starting unit and exploded. The initial explosion set off a chain reaction of explosions, thus causing the death of 28 sailors and injuries to 314 more. The U.S.S. Enterprise was the world's first nuclear powered aircraft carrier and the longest of her time, measuring 1,123 feet
Obituary from Grand Rapids Herald-Review, Grand Rapids, MN - 23 January 1969:
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) from the First Church of God for AMS3 [sic] Jerome David Yoakum, 22, of Grand Rapids, who was killed in an explosion aboard the USS Enterprise 75 miles southwest of Hawaii on Jan. 14. Rev. Merrill Smith will officiate, military honors will be provided by veterans organizations and Naval and Air Force units from Duluth, and interment will be in the Veterans plot of Itasca cemetery.
Born June 2, 1946, at Duluth, AMS3 [sic] Yoakum was a 1964 graduate of Grand Rapids high school. He attended Itasca Junior college and worked at Cashen's service station. He enlisted in the Navy in October 1966. He was making his second tour of duty aboard the Enterprise.
Survivors are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Yoakum of Pokegama lake, and a brother, Larry, of Minneapolis.
Obituary from Grand Rapids Herald-Review, Grand Rapids, MN - 23 January 1969:
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) from the First Church of God for AMS3 [sic] Jerome David Yoakum, 22, of Grand Rapids, who was killed in an explosion aboard the USS Enterprise 75 miles southwest of Hawaii on Jan. 14. Rev. Merrill Smith will officiate, military honors will be provided by veterans organizations and Naval and Air Force units from Duluth, and interment will be in the Veterans plot of Itasca cemetery.
Born June 2, 1946, at Duluth, AMS3 [sic] Yoakum was a 1964 graduate of Grand Rapids high school. He attended Itasca Junior college and worked at Cashen's service station. He enlisted in the Navy in October 1966. He was making his second tour of duty aboard the Enterprise.
Survivors are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Yoakum of Pokegama lake, and a brother, Larry, of Minneapolis.
USS Enterprise was operating off Hawaii (20º27'7"N, 158º27'5"W) on the morning of January 14, 1969, an MK-32 Zuni rocket fixed to an F-4 Phantom on the U.S.S. Enterprise (CVAN 65) overheated due to the exhaust of a nearby aircraft starting unit and exploded. The initial explosion set off a chain reaction of explosions, thus causing the death of 28 sailors and injuries to 314 more. The U.S.S. Enterprise was the world's first nuclear powered aircraft carrier and the longest of her time, measuring 1,123 feet
Obituary from Grand Rapids Herald-Review, Grand Rapids, MN - 23 January 1969:
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) from the First Church of God for AMS3 [sic] Jerome David Yoakum, 22, of Grand Rapids, who was killed in an explosion aboard the USS Enterprise 75 miles southwest of Hawaii on Jan. 14. Rev. Merrill Smith will officiate, military honors will be provided by veterans organizations and Naval and Air Force units from Duluth, and interment will be in the Veterans plot of Itasca cemetery.
Born June 2, 1946, at Duluth, AMS3 [sic] Yoakum was a 1964 graduate of Grand Rapids high school. He attended Itasca Junior college and worked at Cashen's service station. He enlisted in the Navy in October 1966. He was making his second tour of duty aboard the Enterprise.
Survivors are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Yoakum of Pokegama lake, and a brother, Larry, of Minneapolis.
Obituary from Grand Rapids Herald-Review, Grand Rapids, MN - 23 January 1969:
Funeral services will be held at 2 p.m. today (Thursday) from the First Church of God for AMS3 [sic] Jerome David Yoakum, 22, of Grand Rapids, who was killed in an explosion aboard the USS Enterprise 75 miles southwest of Hawaii on Jan. 14. Rev. Merrill Smith will officiate, military honors will be provided by veterans organizations and Naval and Air Force units from Duluth, and interment will be in the Veterans plot of Itasca cemetery.
Born June 2, 1946, at Duluth, AMS3 [sic] Yoakum was a 1964 graduate of Grand Rapids high school. He attended Itasca Junior college and worked at Cashen's service station. He enlisted in the Navy in October 1966. He was making his second tour of duty aboard the Enterprise.
Survivors are his parents, Mr. and Mrs. John A. Yoakum of Pokegama lake, and a brother, Larry, of Minneapolis.
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