GMC Francis Charles Clouse

BIRTH20 Nov 1920Foxholm, Ward County, North Dakota, USADEATH11 May 1945 (aged 24)CENOTAPH++Honolulu Memorial++Honolulu, Honolulu County, Hawaii, USA ++Add to Map++

* A structure erected in honor of someone whose remains lie elsewhere.

PLOTCourts of the MissingMEMORIAL ID56117967 · ++View Source++SHARE SAVE TOSUGGEST EDITS

Francis Charles Clouse was born on the family farm to William and Julia (Haider) Clouse on November 20, 1920 in Foxholm, North Dakota. He was the 10th of 13 children. He spent his childhood helping with farm chores and attending school in Foxholm. After completing 2 years of high school, he enlisted in the Navy on December 22, 1937 at Minneapolis, Minnesota. He went to boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Station. He reported aboard the USS Idaho BB-42 on April 30, 1938. He reenlisted in the Navy on February 11, 1942. He achieved the rate of GM2c when he was separated from the ship on July 31, 1942. His next assignment was the USS Chiwawa AO-68. He reported aboard on December 24, 1942. He achieved the rate of Chief Gunners mate on May 1, 1944. He was separated from the USS Chiwawa on July 13, 1944. After spending a 30 day leave with his family Francis reported to the Navy Yard in Washington DC for a 6 week course in Gunners Mate and Electric Hydraulic instruction. His next assignment was to the USS Hugh W. Hadley DD-774. He reported aboard the ship on November 25, 1944. The ship was sent to the Pacific Theater arriving at Okinawa on April 1, 1945. The Hadley was hit on May 11, 1945 by three Kamikaze planes. He was killed by a flying piece of debris while standing next to a torpedo tube on the starboard side after the second plane hit the ship. He was buried at sea, Nansei Shoto, Okinawa.

Bronze Star Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Bronze Star Medal (Posthumously) to Chief Gunner's Mate Francis Charles Clouse (NSN: 3285036), United States Navy, for heroic achievement while serving on board the U.S.S. HUGH W. HADLEY, in action against enemy Japanese forces off Okinawa, Ryukyu Islands, on 11 May 1945. With his ship bombed and seriously damaged during a prolonged and terrific Japanese aerial attack, Chief Petty Officer Clouse immediately procured a fire hose and proceeded to fight the flames raging aft of No. 2 stack. Moving in upon the conflagration despite the grave danger of exploding ammunition and flying fragments of steel, Chief Petty Officer Clouse rendered valiant service in controlling the fires under continuing attack, remaining at his perilous work until he was mortally wounded when an enemy suicide plane crashed near his station on the gallant destroyer. His indomitable spirit, heroic conduct and unswerving devotion to duty at great personal risk were inspiring to those with whom he served and reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.

Francis C Clouse