On 25 Oct 1944, EM2 William Arthur Wells was lost at sea aboard the destroyer USS Hoel at the battle of Leyte Gulf near Samar Island, the Phillipines. Only 86 of the crew survived and 253 perished. In a fitting epitaph, it was said that these valiant men performed their assigned duties cooly and efficiently until their ship was shot from under them by the Japanese. See his listing on the war memorial.
Arthur, an electrician's mate, had been in the South Pacific for a year before the Battle of Leyte Gulf, said to have been the largest Naval battle of WWII and one that prevented Japanese forces from reaching Gen. Douglas MacArthur's land forces. It is estimated that approximately 1500 Americans lost their lives during this naval battle.
His younger brothers Charles and Robert say the family called him "Arthur". Charles was home from school, ill, the day the devastating news was received. A taxicab pulled up in front of the house and the person inside delivered it personally.
On 25 Oct 1944, EM2 William Arthur Wells was lost at sea aboard the destroyer USS Hoel at the battle of Leyte Gulf near Samar Island, the Phillipines. Only 86 of the crew survived and 253 perished. In a fitting epitaph, it was said that these valiant men performed their assigned duties cooly and efficiently until their ship was shot from under them by the Japanese. See his listing on the war memorial.
Arthur, an electrician's mate, had been in the South Pacific for a year before the Battle of Leyte Gulf, said to have been the largest Naval battle of WWII and one that prevented Japanese forces from reaching Gen. Douglas MacArthur's land forces. It is estimated that approximately 1500 Americans lost their lives during this naval battle.
His younger brothers Charles and Robert say the family called him "Arthur". Charles was home from school, ill, the day the devastating news was received. A taxicab pulled up in front of the house and the person inside delivered it personally.
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Rest in peace.
