Leonard Eugene Moore 1920-1942

MOORE, SEVATSON, ENDERSON

Posted By: Merllene Andre Bendixen (email)
Date: 1/11/2012 at 00:29:54

Seaman Leonard Moore Reported Missing in Action
Tragedy hit again in the Estherville community with the reported missing in action of Leonard E. Moore, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Moore of near Terril and the death in a plane crash at Columbia, S.C. of Lieutenant Francis W. Sparks. The marriage of Lt. Sparks to Miss Jeanne Parsons, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Parsons, was a social event in Estherville on July 30. He is the son of Dr. and Mrs. F.R. Sparks of Waverly.

Young Moore, who joined the navy Dec. 15, 1941, was a second class seaman radio man. His parents received the telegram notifying of his loss Sunday afternoon but no details were given. A letter from Leonard received just before the fourth of July stated that where he was going would be no picnic but other than that they have had no word. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, September 15, 1942)

Leonard Eugene Moore
Leonard Eugene Moore, 23, Seaman 2-c, has been officially reported dead, according to word received by Mr. and Mrs. William E. Moore of Estherville. He was reported as missing in action Aug. 9, 1942.

He was a member of the cruiser crew on the U.S.S. Vincennes. He enlisted in the navy December 15, 1941 and reported to the Great Lakes, Ill. for his boot training. He was sent to New York from Great Lakes to receive further training, and from New York to the west coast. He has never been home on leave since he enlisted.

Mr. Moore received his education in the Estherville grade schools and graduated from the Superior high school. He worked with his father on the farm until his enlistment in the navy. He was born May 11, 1920 at Terril.

He is survived by his parents, one sister, Mrs. S.M. Sevatson of Estherville and one brother, Willard at home. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, September 23, 1943)

Leonard Moore Memorial Will Be Held Sunday
Will Be Conducted in Presbyterian Church
A memorial service for Leonard Eugene Moore, S 2-c, son of Mr. and Mrs. W.E. Moore of Estherville, will be held Sunday at 2:30 p.m. in the Presbyterian church here.

Moore, a radioman on the USS Vincennes, reported as missing in action on Aug. 9, 1942, was later declared to have given his life in the line of duty.

Moore was born at Terril May 11, 1920, and had lived near Estherville all of his life prior to enlistment in the naval service. He attended grade school in Estherville and high school at Superior, graduating with the class of 1938. Active in athletics he was a well-known student at Superior high school.

Enlisted in 1941
He enlisted in the navy Dec. 1, 1941, one week before the attack on Pearl Harbor and was called to active duty two weeks later. After three weeks of basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Station he was assigned to the USS Vincennes which saw action in the South Pacific. He was reported missing in action Aug. 9, 1942, and it was later learned that the Vincennes was lost in action on that date.

A citation from the President of the United States and the award of the Purple Heart have been posthumously granted.

Patriotic Groups Invited
Moore is survived by both his parents, a brother, Willard E. Moore, a sister, Mrs. S.M. Sevatson and a grandmother, Mrs. Gertrude Enderson, all of Estherville.

All patriotic organizations of the city will share in the memorial service. The Rev. J.M. Kennedy will be in charge of the service and will be assisted by the Rev. Willis K. Williams, pastor of the Congregational church of Spencer. (Vindicator and Republican, Estherville, IA, October 12, 1944)