Francis served as a Electrician's Mate, Second Class, U.S.S. Rowan ( DD-405 ), U.S. Navy during World War II.
He resided in Elkton, Cecil County, Maryland prior to the war.
On September 9, 1944 the U.S.S. Rowan ( DD-405 ) entered the Gulf of Salerno in the screen of the Southern Attack Force along with screening transports and freighters. Late on the night of the 10th, she headed back to Oran with the emptied ships. Shortly after midnight, German E-boats attacked. Rowan pursued and fired, then, as her quarry pulled away, ceased firing and changed course to rejoin the convoy.
Within 5 minutes a new contact was made, range less than 3,000 yards. Again she changed course, to avoid torpedoes and bring her guns into position. As the range decreased to 2,000 yards, Rowan was hit by a torpedo by a German E-boat. She sank in less than a minute, taking 202 of her 273 officers and men with her.
Francis was declared "Missing In Action" in this sinking during the war.
He was awarded a Purple Heart.
Service # 2582323
Son of Mr. William Carroll Hoover.
( Bio & Family Link by: Russ Pickett )
He resided in Elkton, Cecil County, Maryland prior to the war.
On September 9, 1944 the U.S.S. Rowan ( DD-405 ) entered the Gulf of Salerno in the screen of the Southern Attack Force along with screening transports and freighters. Late on the night of the 10th, she headed back to Oran with the emptied ships. Shortly after midnight, German E-boats attacked. Rowan pursued and fired, then, as her quarry pulled away, ceased firing and changed course to rejoin the convoy.
Within 5 minutes a new contact was made, range less than 3,000 yards. Again she changed course, to avoid torpedoes and bring her guns into position. As the range decreased to 2,000 yards, Rowan was hit by a torpedo by a German E-boat. She sank in less than a minute, taking 202 of her 273 officers and men with her.
Francis was declared "Missing In Action" in this sinking during the war.
He was awarded a Purple Heart.
Service # 2582323
Son of Mr. William Carroll Hoover.
( Bio & Family Link by: Russ Pickett )
Francis served as a Electrician's Mate, Second Class, U.S.S. Rowan ( DD-405 ), U.S. Navy during World War II.
He resided in Elkton, Cecil County, Maryland prior to the war.
On September 9, 1944 the U.S.S. Rowan ( DD-405 ) entered the Gulf of Salerno in the screen of the Southern Attack Force along with screening transports and freighters. Late on the night of the 10th, she headed back to Oran with the emptied ships. Shortly after midnight, German E-boats attacked. Rowan pursued and fired, then, as her quarry pulled away, ceased firing and changed course to rejoin the convoy.
Within 5 minutes a new contact was made, range less than 3,000 yards. Again she changed course, to avoid torpedoes and bring her guns into position. As the range decreased to 2,000 yards, Rowan was hit by a torpedo by a German E-boat. She sank in less than a minute, taking 202 of her 273 officers and men with her.
Francis was declared "Missing In Action" in this sinking during the war.
He was awarded a Purple Heart.
Service # 2582323
Son of Mr. William Carroll Hoover.
( Bio & Family Link by: Russ Pickett )
He resided in Elkton, Cecil County, Maryland prior to the war.
On September 9, 1944 the U.S.S. Rowan ( DD-405 ) entered the Gulf of Salerno in the screen of the Southern Attack Force along with screening transports and freighters. Late on the night of the 10th, she headed back to Oran with the emptied ships. Shortly after midnight, German E-boats attacked. Rowan pursued and fired, then, as her quarry pulled away, ceased firing and changed course to rejoin the convoy.
Within 5 minutes a new contact was made, range less than 3,000 yards. Again she changed course, to avoid torpedoes and bring her guns into position. As the range decreased to 2,000 yards, Rowan was hit by a torpedo by a German E-boat. She sank in less than a minute, taking 202 of her 273 officers and men with her.
Francis was declared "Missing In Action" in this sinking during the war.
He was awarded a Purple Heart.
Service # 2582323
Son of Mr. William Carroll Hoover.
( Bio & Family Link by: Russ Pickett )
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Advertisement
