Francis was born on the family farm to William and Julia (Haider) Clouse. 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 attacked 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.
Francis was born on the family farm to William and Julia (Haider) Clouse. 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 attacked 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.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from North Dakota.
Other Records
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
