Honoring Those Who Served
By Maury Gallagher
Leon Hosch
New Albin, Iowa resident, Leon Hosch, was born in Caledonia, Minnesota and graduated from high school in New Albin. In June of 1943 he joined the Navy and went to boot camp in Farragut, Idaho. After advanced training as a ship fitter, he boarded a troop ship to the Philippines via Hawaii. Arriving in the area of the Philippines he joined the crew of the destroyer U.S.S. Mertz. (DD691). "We were part of Admiral Halsey’s 3rd Fleet," he said.
Onboard the Mertz, Leon saw action in support of the landings at Leyte Gulf in the Philippines as American forces began the task of retaking that strategic island group. During the Battle of Suriago Strait part of the action of the Battle for Leyte Gulf, the Mertz and other naval ships destroyed an enemy armada. "At one point," he said, "off the Philippines, we were sent out to relieve another destroyer on station. When we got there, there was nothing there but an oil slick."
Later the Mertz was involved in support of air strikes on the Tokyo, Japan area, the landings on Iwo Jima, and raids on Okinawa. Off the coast of Okinawa in April 1945, the Mertz helped to sink two Japanese submarines. In addition to the sinking of the submarines, Mertz was credited with downing eight enemy planes during hostile actions.
On the day the war ended, the Mertz was in Adak, Alaska, after completing an anti-shipping sweep from the coasts of Japan to the Aleutian Islands. "They wouldn’t want a 'tin can' to be the first ship to return to the U.S. after the war ended," he said. "That honor was reserved for the bigger ships, carriers and battleships, so they sent us back to Japan to operate with the 3rd Fleet during the occupation of the Northern Honshu-Hokaido area."
Leon returned to the United States on the Mertz, arriving in San Francisco on September 30, 1945. As a crew member, he earned 10 Battle Stars for his wartime service. He was discharged as a Petty Officer Second Class in January, 1946. Leon and his wife, Vivian, have three children, James, Nancy, and Gerald. Leon now serves as the Commander of VFW Post 5603 in New Albin.~undated Waukon Standard newspaper clipping (included the photo) - contributed by Errin Wilker
~*~*~
Use the Back arrow or button to return to the Honor Roll, or ....