Sam C. Morrow (d. 1942)

MORROW, GOSSE, PETERMAN, KRISTOFF, ROOFF

Posted By: Dorothy Gosse (email)
Date: 6/16/2006 at 22:10:24

Sam C. Morrow, only son of Mrs. Helen Morrow, recent resident of this city, but now of Gary, Indiana, has been officially listed as killed in action with the U. S. Navy according to word received today.

He has been carried on the missing list since March 1, 1942 when the USS PILLSBURY, the ship aboard which he served, was repored lost as result of enemy action.

According to information which has now been received, on Feb. 28, 1942, a strong enemy force operating in two groups about 150 miles south and east of Java were reported headed toward the northwest. On March 1, 1942 all Allied surface vessels operating in the vicinity of Java were ordered to proceed to Exmouth Gulf, Australia. In compliance with the order, the PILLSBURY left Tjilatjap, Java that afternoon. Since that time no further information has been received concerning the ship or any member of the crew. It is believed that the vessel was lost in the vicinity of Bali Strait following an engagement with the enemy.

Storekeeper Second Class Morrow enlisted in the service in November, 1938. Prior to that time he had resided on a farm near this city. He is survived by his mother; five sisters, Miss Bernice, recently discharged from the WAVES after two years service, Mrs. Herman Gosse and Mrs. Harold Peterman both of Oelwein; Miss Dorothy Morrow of Cedar Rapids and Mrs. Pete Kristoff of Gary, Ind.

Note: from Oelwein Daily Register clipping, 1946 after war was over. Parents were Bulgarian immigrants from Varbovca, Bulgaria. Father Sam Morroff was living in St. Joseph, MO.
Family truck gardened near Oelwein in 1930's. Sammy also lived in Waterloo with the Jim Rooff family and Gary, Ind. where he attended high school.