Seaman 1C Leo William Lohr
1923–July 30, 1945
Service #: 8601678
Residence: Jones, Iowa
Education: 4 years high school
Occupation: *****
Marital Status: *****
Enlistment Date: February, 1944
Enlistment Place: *****
Service/Unit: USNR
Awards: Purple Heart
Burial: Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines
MISSING IN ACTION
Just as the news of final victory was apparent, the tragic news that Seaman Leo Lohr, son of Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Lohr, was missing in action aboard the ill-fated Indianapolis, was received Sunday evening from the navy department. Leo, a graduate of Anamosa high school, entered the service in February, 1944, and has served several months of sea duty.
His ship, the Indianapolis, has been in several major engagements and was on a trip to Guam delivering parts for the Atomic bomb when she was torpedoed.
Leo had been home on leave last July and on returning to the west coast, he had telephoned his parents from San Diego the morning of July 16 that they were shoving off. Although hope is remote, the prayers of the whole community are offered that somehow, somewhere, Leo has survived.
Mr. and Mrs. Lohr have two other sons serving their country, Robert a water tender in the navy in the Pacific, and Charles, a staff sergeant in the army.
Source: The Anamosa Eureka, namosa, Iowa, August 16, 1945
LEO W. LOHR DIED IN ACTION PARENTS TOLD
Get Official Word Wednesday; Home Last Time In June
Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Lohr received a telegram from the U. S. government Wednesday confirming the death of their youngest son, Leo Lohr, Storekeeper, Seaman First Class, July 30, in the sinking of the U. S. battleship Indianapolis. They had received word that he was missing in action in August.
Plans for celebrating High Requiem Mass, and a memorial service in Leo's honor will be made at a later date.
Held Battle Stars
Seaman Lohr, a member of the U. S. Naval reserves, had served in the Pacific area for 16 months, and was home on leave a short time prior to his death. He had earned five battle stars, the good conduct medal and the European Asiatic ribbon. He had joined the Gale Edwards post of the Veterans of Foreign Wars of Anamosa while home on leave.
The Lohr's have two other sons, both in service, Robert Lohr, Petty officer in the U. S. Navy, and Staff Sergt. Charles Lohr, U. S. Army.
Source: The Anamosa Journal, Anamosa, Iowa, September 20, 1945
Final Tribute for S. 1-C Leo Lohr
A solemn high mass of requiem was sung at St. Patrick's Catholic church Wednesday morning for S. 1/C Leo Lohr with Father J. A. McMahon, celebrant; Father N. U. Keffler, deacon, and Father Ivan G. Boyd, sub-deacon. The Rev. Father Keffler delivered the tribute. The American Legion presented a flag to his parents. Presentation of the flag was made by Commander Delbert Brickley.
The color guard, flag bearers and firing squad were composed of veterans of both World War I and II. The large crowd that attended, composed of both Catholics and non-Catholics, was the finest tribute that the community could pay to the memory of Leo, who lost his life in the service of his country.
Out-of-town relatives and friends attending the service were Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Lohr of Aurora, Ill., Mrs. Charles Rude and Mrs. Charles Kleiber and Mrs. Eugene Fiesel of Ottawa, Ill., Miss Margaret Neville of Oak Park, Ill., Michael Neville of Madison, Wis., Mrs. Harry Drayson and Junior of Chicago, Ill., Mrs. Joseph Buscher of Iowa City, Mrs. John Morrissey of Milwaukee, Wis., Mayme Greene and Walter Ronen of Stone City.
CARD OF THANKS
We wish to express our sincere thanks to our many friends whose acts of kindness and sympathy aided us in bearing the sorrow of the loss of our son.—Mr. and Mrs. W. H. Lohr
Source: The Anamosa Eureka, The Anamosa Eureka
