Harry Edwin "Buster" Wells was born 6 Mar 1926, Orange County, CA to Harry Hudson Wells and his wife Dora Ada Davis.
FAMILY ---
Father Harry Hudson Wells was born on 23 Aug 1903 Wing River, Wadena, MN and died on Aug 1996 Garden Grove, CA. He and his brother Frederick "Fred" K. Wells (1906- 1969) were adopted as children. Their biological parents were farmer Rev. John Harry Kiehl (1876 PA - 1957 Garden Grove, CA) & wife Edna Mae Bills (1879 ND – 1914 MN).
After their biological mother's death in 1914 the brothers Fred K. and Harry H. went to live with Wilford & Mary Wells. The couple who had been childless for over 21 years of marriage adopted the boys. Farmer Wilford Edwin "Edwin/Ed" Wells (1869 MN – 1949 CA) & wife Mary Alice Teel (1871 CA - 1943 CA). In 1910 the couple was living in Huntington Beach CA. Then they relocated to Minnesota. By the 1920 census they were back to their home state of California this time in Newport Beach with Harry Hudson Wells, Fred Wells was absent.
In adulthood the two adopted brothers tried their hand at being ministers as had their biological father. The brothers ministered at the same church, Pilgrim Holiness Church, Santa Ana, Fred K. from 1931 to 1950 and Harry H. from 1944 to 1949. In 1950 Fred's primary occupation was that of a millwright. When Harry Hudson Wells struck out on his own his principle occupation and living was derived in 1940 -1942 was as a metal platter at a platting works. During the span of 1944 - 1949 he was a pastor. Then 1950 found him operating an engine lathe for machine shop. In 1952 & 1954 he was employed is an operator at Leonard Precision Products.
Harry Edwin Well's mother was Dora Ada Davis, May 1905 CA – July 1987 CA. Dora married Harry Hudson Wells on 25 Dec 1923 in Garden Grove CA. They were a young couple he just having turned 20 and Dora being 18 years of age. Their first child came quickly. Throughout her life Dora was a homemaker.
Five children were born to the couple Harry Hudson Wells and wife Dora Ada Davis-Wells:
1) Irene Emma Wells ---- 2 Dec 1924 Garden Grove, CA – 21 Apr 1943 Louisville, KY of hemorrhagic purpura, Married Arthur E. Baker (b. 1920).
2) Harry Edwin Wells ---- 6 Mar 1926, Orange County, CA – 25 Nov 1944 Manila, Philippines. Unmarried.
3) Dorothy Marie Wells ---- born 29 Aug 1930 Orange County, CA. Most recently appeared to be living in Garden Grove, CA. Had four marriages:
(A) Married 9 Aug 1948 in CA to William James "James" Watkins (1927- 2011). They lived in Andres, TX 1950. Son Harry Monroe Watkins (19 May 1949 -.22 Mar 2019 Riverside, CA).
(B) Married 5 Sept 1964 in Clark, NV to Allen Drew Pulsipher (1926-1991). Divorced Jan 1973 Orange, CA. She used the Pulsipher surname through 1920.
(C) Married deceased sister's widow Arthur E. Baker on 5 July 1975 in California. Divorce filed on Aug 1975 California.
(D) Married 11 June 1977 in Orange, CA to Lester L. Willard. Divorce filed on Oct 1977, CA
4) Thelma Jean Wells ----- 27 Aug 1936, Orange, CA – 25 Nov 2107 Eagle, ID. Married Gerald Glen Six 29 Aug 1952 in Orange, CA
5) Larry Hudson Wells ---- born 28 Mar 1943. Married 8 Aug 1969, in Orange, CA to Mary K. Rupprecht, divorce filed on Feb 1975. Lives in Apple Valley, CA censuses and city directories;
HARRY EDWIN'S LIFE & DEATH ---
Harry Edwin Wells was born and raised in the Garden Grove / Santa Ana area of California. At this point the family appeared fairly well established in the locale. In 1940 he was living with his parents in Anaheim, Orange, CA; in 1942 he was now living in Garden Grove, CA. It is doubtful that Harry Edwin graduated high school as he enlisted one month short of his 18th birthday prior to his official WW2 draft registration age.
After Harry left for military service in the USNR his parents were found in Santa Rosa area 1947 & 1949 city directories, specifically in the 1949 directory at 2143 Oak St. Santa Ana, CA. In 1956 & 1954 city directories they were living at 10061 Larson Ave., Garden Grove, CA
"Buster's" military service began upon his enlistment on 29 Feb 1944 in Santa Ana, CA. Following boot camp and training he boarded the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Intrepid on 26 May 1944 to serve as a seaman 2c radarman, USNR.
Harry probably participated in the official shellback ceremony of 1 Sept 1944 when the vessel crossed the equator line. The Shellback marked the traditional "Crossing the Line" initiation ceremony, in what amounted to a hazing, the "shellbacks", sailor who had already crossed the equator, tested the mettle of the "pollywogs," the uninitiated. The pollywogs ran a gauntlet of paddle-wielding sailors and were doused with a hose, among other trials. At the end of the ceremony, all members of the crew became trusted shellbacks and received certificates and identification cards confirming their new status. At the end of the "Crossing the Line" ceremony, each crew member received a colorful certificate acknowledging his initial into the "Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep."
On November 25, 1944, two kamikaze planes hit the aircraft carrier's flight deck within five minutes of each other, penetrating below the deck killing 69 men. This number included 26 radarmen who were in a ready room waiting to relieve fellow radarmen. An attempt to rescue the injured radarmen was met with terror when the second plane set off an inferno. The ship had a contingent of 51 radarmen. Eighteen year old Harry did not survive the attack. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Per a 2012 declassified military document, the U.S.S. Intrepid War Diary of 26 Nov, 1944: At 1400, in the vicinity of latitude 14degrees 47'N., longitude 131degrees 25' E, held funeral services and buried the officers and men killed in action yesterday. [GPS coordinates +14.7833N, +121.4155E). [The location is about 465 miles NE of Samar Island, Philippines.]
Although buried at sea he was memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. This is an American Battle Monuments Commission location
FAMILY ---
Father Harry Hudson Wells was born on 23 Aug 1903 Wing River, Wadena, MN and died on Aug 1996 Garden Grove, CA. He and his brother Frederick "Fred" K. Wells (1906- 1969) were adopted as children. Their biological parents were farmer Rev. John Harry Kiehl (1876 PA - 1957 Garden Grove, CA) & wife Edna Mae Bills (1879 ND – 1914 MN).
After their biological mother's death in 1914 the brothers Fred K. and Harry H. went to live with Wilford & Mary Wells. The couple who had been childless for over 21 years of marriage adopted the boys. Farmer Wilford Edwin "Edwin/Ed" Wells (1869 MN – 1949 CA) & wife Mary Alice Teel (1871 CA - 1943 CA). In 1910 the couple was living in Huntington Beach CA. Then they relocated to Minnesota. By the 1920 census they were back to their home state of California this time in Newport Beach with Harry Hudson Wells, Fred Wells was absent.
In adulthood the two adopted brothers tried their hand at being ministers as had their biological father. The brothers ministered at the same church, Pilgrim Holiness Church, Santa Ana, Fred K. from 1931 to 1950 and Harry H. from 1944 to 1949. In 1950 Fred's primary occupation was that of a millwright. When Harry Hudson Wells struck out on his own his principle occupation and living was derived in 1940 -1942 was as a metal platter at a platting works. During the span of 1944 - 1949 he was a pastor. Then 1950 found him operating an engine lathe for machine shop. In 1952 & 1954 he was employed is an operator at Leonard Precision Products.
Harry Edwin Well's mother was Dora Ada Davis, May 1905 CA – July 1987 CA. Dora married Harry Hudson Wells on 25 Dec 1923 in Garden Grove CA. They were a young couple he just having turned 20 and Dora being 18 years of age. Their first child came quickly. Throughout her life Dora was a homemaker.
Five children were born to the couple Harry Hudson Wells and wife Dora Ada Davis-Wells:
1) Irene Emma Wells ---- 2 Dec 1924 Garden Grove, CA – 21 Apr 1943 Louisville, KY of hemorrhagic purpura, Married Arthur E. Baker (b. 1920).
2) Harry Edwin Wells ---- 6 Mar 1926, Orange County, CA – 25 Nov 1944 Manila, Philippines. Unmarried.
3) Dorothy Marie Wells ---- born 29 Aug 1930 Orange County, CA. Most recently appeared to be living in Garden Grove, CA. Had four marriages:
(A) Married 9 Aug 1948 in CA to William James "James" Watkins (1927- 2011). They lived in Andres, TX 1950. Son Harry Monroe Watkins (19 May 1949 -.22 Mar 2019 Riverside, CA).
(B) Married 5 Sept 1964 in Clark, NV to Allen Drew Pulsipher (1926-1991). Divorced Jan 1973 Orange, CA. She used the Pulsipher surname through 1920.
(C) Married deceased sister's widow Arthur E. Baker on 5 July 1975 in California. Divorce filed on Aug 1975 California.
(D) Married 11 June 1977 in Orange, CA to Lester L. Willard. Divorce filed on Oct 1977, CA
4) Thelma Jean Wells ----- 27 Aug 1936, Orange, CA – 25 Nov 2107 Eagle, ID. Married Gerald Glen Six 29 Aug 1952 in Orange, CA
5) Larry Hudson Wells ---- born 28 Mar 1943. Married 8 Aug 1969, in Orange, CA to Mary K. Rupprecht, divorce filed on Feb 1975. Lives in Apple Valley, CA censuses and city directories;
HARRY EDWIN'S LIFE & DEATH ---
Harry Edwin Wells was born and raised in the Garden Grove / Santa Ana area of California. At this point the family appeared fairly well established in the locale. In 1940 he was living with his parents in Anaheim, Orange, CA; in 1942 he was now living in Garden Grove, CA. It is doubtful that Harry Edwin graduated high school as he enlisted one month short of his 18th birthday prior to his official WW2 draft registration age.
After Harry left for military service in the USNR his parents were found in Santa Rosa area 1947 & 1949 city directories, specifically in the 1949 directory at 2143 Oak St. Santa Ana, CA. In 1956 & 1954 city directories they were living at 10061 Larson Ave., Garden Grove, CA
"Buster's" military service began upon his enlistment on 29 Feb 1944 in Santa Ana, CA. Following boot camp and training he boarded the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Intrepid on 26 May 1944 to serve as a seaman 2c radarman, USNR.
Harry probably participated in the official shellback ceremony of 1 Sept 1944 when the vessel crossed the equator line. The Shellback marked the traditional "Crossing the Line" initiation ceremony, in what amounted to a hazing, the "shellbacks", sailor who had already crossed the equator, tested the mettle of the "pollywogs," the uninitiated. The pollywogs ran a gauntlet of paddle-wielding sailors and were doused with a hose, among other trials. At the end of the ceremony, all members of the crew became trusted shellbacks and received certificates and identification cards confirming their new status. At the end of the "Crossing the Line" ceremony, each crew member received a colorful certificate acknowledging his initial into the "Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep."
On November 25, 1944, two kamikaze planes hit the aircraft carrier's flight deck within five minutes of each other, penetrating below the deck killing 69 men. This number included 26 radarmen who were in a ready room waiting to relieve fellow radarmen. An attempt to rescue the injured radarmen was met with terror when the second plane set off an inferno. The ship had a contingent of 51 radarmen. Eighteen year old Harry did not survive the attack. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Per a 2012 declassified military document, the U.S.S. Intrepid War Diary of 26 Nov, 1944: At 1400, in the vicinity of latitude 14degrees 47'N., longitude 131degrees 25' E, held funeral services and buried the officers and men killed in action yesterday. [GPS coordinates +14.7833N, +121.4155E). [The location is about 465 miles NE of Samar Island, Philippines.]
Although buried at sea he was memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. This is an American Battle Monuments Commission location
Harry Edwin "Buster" Wells was born 6 Mar 1926, Orange County, CA to Harry Hudson Wells and his wife Dora Ada Davis.
FAMILY ---
Father Harry Hudson Wells was born on 23 Aug 1903 Wing River, Wadena, MN and died on Aug 1996 Garden Grove, CA. He and his brother Frederick "Fred" K. Wells (1906- 1969) were adopted as children. Their biological parents were farmer Rev. John Harry Kiehl (1876 PA - 1957 Garden Grove, CA) & wife Edna Mae Bills (1879 ND – 1914 MN).
After their biological mother's death in 1914 the brothers Fred K. and Harry H. went to live with Wilford & Mary Wells. The couple who had been childless for over 21 years of marriage adopted the boys. Farmer Wilford Edwin "Edwin/Ed" Wells (1869 MN – 1949 CA) & wife Mary Alice Teel (1871 CA - 1943 CA). In 1910 the couple was living in Huntington Beach CA. Then they relocated to Minnesota. By the 1920 census they were back to their home state of California this time in Newport Beach with Harry Hudson Wells, Fred Wells was absent.
In adulthood the two adopted brothers tried their hand at being ministers as had their biological father. The brothers ministered at the same church, Pilgrim Holiness Church, Santa Ana, Fred K. from 1931 to 1950 and Harry H. from 1944 to 1949. In 1950 Fred's primary occupation was that of a millwright. When Harry Hudson Wells struck out on his own his principle occupation and living was derived in 1940 -1942 was as a metal platter at a platting works. During the span of 1944 - 1949 he was a pastor. Then 1950 found him operating an engine lathe for machine shop. In 1952 & 1954 he was employed is an operator at Leonard Precision Products.
Harry Edwin Well's mother was Dora Ada Davis, May 1905 CA – July 1987 CA. Dora married Harry Hudson Wells on 25 Dec 1923 in Garden Grove CA. They were a young couple he just having turned 20 and Dora being 18 years of age. Their first child came quickly. Throughout her life Dora was a homemaker.
Five children were born to the couple Harry Hudson Wells and wife Dora Ada Davis-Wells:
1) Irene Emma Wells ---- 2 Dec 1924 Garden Grove, CA – 21 Apr 1943 Louisville, KY of hemorrhagic purpura, Married Arthur E. Baker (b. 1920).
2) Harry Edwin Wells ---- 6 Mar 1926, Orange County, CA – 25 Nov 1944 Manila, Philippines. Unmarried.
3) Dorothy Marie Wells ---- born 29 Aug 1930 Orange County, CA. Most recently appeared to be living in Garden Grove, CA. Had four marriages:
(A) Married 9 Aug 1948 in CA to William James "James" Watkins (1927- 2011). They lived in Andres, TX 1950. Son Harry Monroe Watkins (19 May 1949 -.22 Mar 2019 Riverside, CA).
(B) Married 5 Sept 1964 in Clark, NV to Allen Drew Pulsipher (1926-1991). Divorced Jan 1973 Orange, CA. She used the Pulsipher surname through 1920.
(C) Married deceased sister's widow Arthur E. Baker on 5 July 1975 in California. Divorce filed on Aug 1975 California.
(D) Married 11 June 1977 in Orange, CA to Lester L. Willard. Divorce filed on Oct 1977, CA
4) Thelma Jean Wells ----- 27 Aug 1936, Orange, CA – 25 Nov 2107 Eagle, ID. Married Gerald Glen Six 29 Aug 1952 in Orange, CA
5) Larry Hudson Wells ---- born 28 Mar 1943. Married 8 Aug 1969, in Orange, CA to Mary K. Rupprecht, divorce filed on Feb 1975. Lives in Apple Valley, CA censuses and city directories;
HARRY EDWIN'S LIFE & DEATH ---
Harry Edwin Wells was born and raised in the Garden Grove / Santa Ana area of California. At this point the family appeared fairly well established in the locale. In 1940 he was living with his parents in Anaheim, Orange, CA; in 1942 he was now living in Garden Grove, CA. It is doubtful that Harry Edwin graduated high school as he enlisted one month short of his 18th birthday prior to his official WW2 draft registration age.
After Harry left for military service in the USNR his parents were found in Santa Rosa area 1947 & 1949 city directories, specifically in the 1949 directory at 2143 Oak St. Santa Ana, CA. In 1956 & 1954 city directories they were living at 10061 Larson Ave., Garden Grove, CA
"Buster's" military service began upon his enlistment on 29 Feb 1944 in Santa Ana, CA. Following boot camp and training he boarded the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Intrepid on 26 May 1944 to serve as a seaman 2c radarman, USNR.
Harry probably participated in the official shellback ceremony of 1 Sept 1944 when the vessel crossed the equator line. The Shellback marked the traditional "Crossing the Line" initiation ceremony, in what amounted to a hazing, the "shellbacks", sailor who had already crossed the equator, tested the mettle of the "pollywogs," the uninitiated. The pollywogs ran a gauntlet of paddle-wielding sailors and were doused with a hose, among other trials. At the end of the ceremony, all members of the crew became trusted shellbacks and received certificates and identification cards confirming their new status. At the end of the "Crossing the Line" ceremony, each crew member received a colorful certificate acknowledging his initial into the "Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep."
On November 25, 1944, two kamikaze planes hit the aircraft carrier's flight deck within five minutes of each other, penetrating below the deck killing 69 men. This number included 26 radarmen who were in a ready room waiting to relieve fellow radarmen. An attempt to rescue the injured radarmen was met with terror when the second plane set off an inferno. The ship had a contingent of 51 radarmen. Eighteen year old Harry did not survive the attack. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Per a 2012 declassified military document, the U.S.S. Intrepid War Diary of 26 Nov, 1944: At 1400, in the vicinity of latitude 14degrees 47'N., longitude 131degrees 25' E, held funeral services and buried the officers and men killed in action yesterday. [GPS coordinates +14.7833N, +121.4155E). [The location is about 465 miles NE of Samar Island, Philippines.]
Although buried at sea he was memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. This is an American Battle Monuments Commission location
FAMILY ---
Father Harry Hudson Wells was born on 23 Aug 1903 Wing River, Wadena, MN and died on Aug 1996 Garden Grove, CA. He and his brother Frederick "Fred" K. Wells (1906- 1969) were adopted as children. Their biological parents were farmer Rev. John Harry Kiehl (1876 PA - 1957 Garden Grove, CA) & wife Edna Mae Bills (1879 ND – 1914 MN).
After their biological mother's death in 1914 the brothers Fred K. and Harry H. went to live with Wilford & Mary Wells. The couple who had been childless for over 21 years of marriage adopted the boys. Farmer Wilford Edwin "Edwin/Ed" Wells (1869 MN – 1949 CA) & wife Mary Alice Teel (1871 CA - 1943 CA). In 1910 the couple was living in Huntington Beach CA. Then they relocated to Minnesota. By the 1920 census they were back to their home state of California this time in Newport Beach with Harry Hudson Wells, Fred Wells was absent.
In adulthood the two adopted brothers tried their hand at being ministers as had their biological father. The brothers ministered at the same church, Pilgrim Holiness Church, Santa Ana, Fred K. from 1931 to 1950 and Harry H. from 1944 to 1949. In 1950 Fred's primary occupation was that of a millwright. When Harry Hudson Wells struck out on his own his principle occupation and living was derived in 1940 -1942 was as a metal platter at a platting works. During the span of 1944 - 1949 he was a pastor. Then 1950 found him operating an engine lathe for machine shop. In 1952 & 1954 he was employed is an operator at Leonard Precision Products.
Harry Edwin Well's mother was Dora Ada Davis, May 1905 CA – July 1987 CA. Dora married Harry Hudson Wells on 25 Dec 1923 in Garden Grove CA. They were a young couple he just having turned 20 and Dora being 18 years of age. Their first child came quickly. Throughout her life Dora was a homemaker.
Five children were born to the couple Harry Hudson Wells and wife Dora Ada Davis-Wells:
1) Irene Emma Wells ---- 2 Dec 1924 Garden Grove, CA – 21 Apr 1943 Louisville, KY of hemorrhagic purpura, Married Arthur E. Baker (b. 1920).
2) Harry Edwin Wells ---- 6 Mar 1926, Orange County, CA – 25 Nov 1944 Manila, Philippines. Unmarried.
3) Dorothy Marie Wells ---- born 29 Aug 1930 Orange County, CA. Most recently appeared to be living in Garden Grove, CA. Had four marriages:
(A) Married 9 Aug 1948 in CA to William James "James" Watkins (1927- 2011). They lived in Andres, TX 1950. Son Harry Monroe Watkins (19 May 1949 -.22 Mar 2019 Riverside, CA).
(B) Married 5 Sept 1964 in Clark, NV to Allen Drew Pulsipher (1926-1991). Divorced Jan 1973 Orange, CA. She used the Pulsipher surname through 1920.
(C) Married deceased sister's widow Arthur E. Baker on 5 July 1975 in California. Divorce filed on Aug 1975 California.
(D) Married 11 June 1977 in Orange, CA to Lester L. Willard. Divorce filed on Oct 1977, CA
4) Thelma Jean Wells ----- 27 Aug 1936, Orange, CA – 25 Nov 2107 Eagle, ID. Married Gerald Glen Six 29 Aug 1952 in Orange, CA
5) Larry Hudson Wells ---- born 28 Mar 1943. Married 8 Aug 1969, in Orange, CA to Mary K. Rupprecht, divorce filed on Feb 1975. Lives in Apple Valley, CA censuses and city directories;
HARRY EDWIN'S LIFE & DEATH ---
Harry Edwin Wells was born and raised in the Garden Grove / Santa Ana area of California. At this point the family appeared fairly well established in the locale. In 1940 he was living with his parents in Anaheim, Orange, CA; in 1942 he was now living in Garden Grove, CA. It is doubtful that Harry Edwin graduated high school as he enlisted one month short of his 18th birthday prior to his official WW2 draft registration age.
After Harry left for military service in the USNR his parents were found in Santa Rosa area 1947 & 1949 city directories, specifically in the 1949 directory at 2143 Oak St. Santa Ana, CA. In 1956 & 1954 city directories they were living at 10061 Larson Ave., Garden Grove, CA
"Buster's" military service began upon his enlistment on 29 Feb 1944 in Santa Ana, CA. Following boot camp and training he boarded the aircraft carrier, U.S.S. Intrepid on 26 May 1944 to serve as a seaman 2c radarman, USNR.
Harry probably participated in the official shellback ceremony of 1 Sept 1944 when the vessel crossed the equator line. The Shellback marked the traditional "Crossing the Line" initiation ceremony, in what amounted to a hazing, the "shellbacks", sailor who had already crossed the equator, tested the mettle of the "pollywogs," the uninitiated. The pollywogs ran a gauntlet of paddle-wielding sailors and were doused with a hose, among other trials. At the end of the ceremony, all members of the crew became trusted shellbacks and received certificates and identification cards confirming their new status. At the end of the "Crossing the Line" ceremony, each crew member received a colorful certificate acknowledging his initial into the "Solemn Mysteries of the Ancient Order of the Deep."
On November 25, 1944, two kamikaze planes hit the aircraft carrier's flight deck within five minutes of each other, penetrating below the deck killing 69 men. This number included 26 radarmen who were in a ready room waiting to relieve fellow radarmen. An attempt to rescue the injured radarmen was met with terror when the second plane set off an inferno. The ship had a contingent of 51 radarmen. Eighteen year old Harry did not survive the attack. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
Per a 2012 declassified military document, the U.S.S. Intrepid War Diary of 26 Nov, 1944: At 1400, in the vicinity of latitude 14degrees 47'N., longitude 131degrees 25' E, held funeral services and buried the officers and men killed in action yesterday. [GPS coordinates +14.7833N, +121.4155E). [The location is about 465 miles NE of Samar Island, Philippines.]
Although buried at sea he was memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. This is an American Battle Monuments Commission location
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from California.
Family Members
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Records on Ancestry
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
