Having actually gone "Missing" on the above date, he was not officially declared by the military as being dead until August 10, 1945.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Son of Bert L. Croft and May M. Croft.
Howard served as a Seaman Second Class, U.S.S. Gwin (DD-433), U.S. Navy during World War II.
He resided in Oregon prior to the war.
The U.S.S. Gwin (DD-433), in the Battle of Kolombangara, was hit by a torpedo amidship in her engine room and exploded and sank. Two officers and 59 men perished with the destroyer.
Howard was one of the crewman declared "Missing In Action" in this attack.
He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Service # 6544000
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Gwin was the only ship lost in this battle and there was a total of 89 crewman lost counting the Gwin's losses and losses on 3 light cruisers which survived.
The Gwin received five battle stars for service in World War II.
The Japanese lost 1 light cruiser and 482 seaman in this battle.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Bio by:
Russell S. "Russ" Pickett
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Son of Bert L. Croft and May M. Croft.
Howard served as a Seaman Second Class, U.S.S. Gwin (DD-433), U.S. Navy during World War II.
He resided in Oregon prior to the war.
The U.S.S. Gwin (DD-433), in the Battle of Kolombangara, was hit by a torpedo amidship in her engine room and exploded and sank. Two officers and 59 men perished with the destroyer.
Howard was one of the crewman declared "Missing In Action" in this attack.
He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Service # 6544000
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Gwin was the only ship lost in this battle and there was a total of 89 crewman lost counting the Gwin's losses and losses on 3 light cruisers which survived.
The Gwin received five battle stars for service in World War II.
The Japanese lost 1 light cruiser and 482 seaman in this battle.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Bio by:
Russell S. "Russ" Pickett
Having actually gone "Missing" on the above date, he was not officially declared by the military as being dead until August 10, 1945.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Son of Bert L. Croft and May M. Croft.
Howard served as a Seaman Second Class, U.S.S. Gwin (DD-433), U.S. Navy during World War II.
He resided in Oregon prior to the war.
The U.S.S. Gwin (DD-433), in the Battle of Kolombangara, was hit by a torpedo amidship in her engine room and exploded and sank. Two officers and 59 men perished with the destroyer.
Howard was one of the crewman declared "Missing In Action" in this attack.
He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Service # 6544000
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Gwin was the only ship lost in this battle and there was a total of 89 crewman lost counting the Gwin's losses and losses on 3 light cruisers which survived.
The Gwin received five battle stars for service in World War II.
The Japanese lost 1 light cruiser and 482 seaman in this battle.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Bio by:
Russell S. "Russ" Pickett
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Son of Bert L. Croft and May M. Croft.
Howard served as a Seaman Second Class, U.S.S. Gwin (DD-433), U.S. Navy during World War II.
He resided in Oregon prior to the war.
The U.S.S. Gwin (DD-433), in the Battle of Kolombangara, was hit by a torpedo amidship in her engine room and exploded and sank. Two officers and 59 men perished with the destroyer.
Howard was one of the crewman declared "Missing In Action" in this attack.
He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Service # 6544000
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
The Gwin was the only ship lost in this battle and there was a total of 89 crewman lost counting the Gwin's losses and losses on 3 light cruisers which survived.
The Gwin received five battle stars for service in World War II.
The Japanese lost 1 light cruiser and 482 seaman in this battle.
~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~
Bio by:
Russell S. "Russ" Pickett
Inscription
S1C, US NAVY WORLD WAR II
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Oregon.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
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