This is a memorial stone, as Loren apparently went down with the USS Houston during WW2 in the Java Sea. The date of the sinking was Feb 28/Mar 1, 1942 and there is no evidence that he survived it. Some of his shipmates did survive and spent the rest of the war in Japanese prison camps. Loren was considered missing until the end of the war, after which he was presumed dead. The date of death on this memorial stone is actually the date that his status was changed by the military at the end of the war.
Loren was born and raised in Goodland, the first child of Harry and Veta Smith. He graduated from Goodland High School before joining the Navy.
Loren was born and raised in Goodland, the first child of Harry and Veta Smith. He graduated from Goodland High School before joining the Navy.
This is a memorial stone, as Loren apparently went down with the USS Houston during WW2 in the Java Sea. The date of the sinking was Feb 28/Mar 1, 1942 and there is no evidence that he survived it. Some of his shipmates did survive and spent the rest of the war in Japanese prison camps. Loren was considered missing until the end of the war, after which he was presumed dead. The date of death on this memorial stone is actually the date that his status was changed by the military at the end of the war.
Loren was born and raised in Goodland, the first child of Harry and Veta Smith. He graduated from Goodland High School before joining the Navy.
Loren was born and raised in Goodland, the first child of Harry and Veta Smith. He graduated from Goodland High School before joining the Navy.
Inscription
LOREN
ROBERT
SMITH
MM3
US NAVY
WORLD WAR II
JUN 21 1922
DEC 15 1945
PURPLE HEART
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