Harold Edward Bloomquist, S1/C (1944)

ARCHER, BEAMAN, BLOOMQUIST, BLOMQUIST, HARTMAN, IIAMS, KIRWAN, RHEARD, SPEER

Posted By: Ida Morse
Date: 1/21/2006 at 18:21:05

Winterset Madisonian
Winterset, Iowa
January 31, 1945
Page 1

Bloomquist Lost in Pacific Typhoon

Harold Bloomquist, S1/c of Earlham, who was lost on duty with the Pacific fleet last month, was serving on board of one of the American destroyers that was sunk by the tropical typhoon that swept the Philippine sea at that time, it has been learned.

Three American destroyers foundered and sunk in this storm. Only a few survivors were saved from the crew of Bloomquist's destroyer.
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Stuart Herald
Stuart, Iowa
Thursday, April 26, 1945
Page 1, Column 2

Memorial Service Held for S 1.c Harold E. Bloomquist

Sunday, April 22, memorial servives were held at Early Chapel Church of Christ, near Earlham, for S 1/c Harold Edward Bloomquist, son of Mr. and Mrs. August Bloomquist, of southeast of Stuart.

All American Post No. 158 and Auxiliary Unit, and Rev. C.P Shepherd were in charge of the services, which consisted of music, prayer, a eulogy by Rev. Chapman and the memorial service of the Post and Auxiliary.

Obituary

Harold Edward Bloomquist, S1/C youngest child of August and Adela Speer Bloomquist, was born September 29, 1921 near Early Chapel Church. In this neighborhood he grew to young manhood, attending the district school and going with his parents, to the local church. He attended the Earlham High School, where he graduated with the class of 1938.

In 1939 he moved, with his parents to Adair County where he engaged in farming. In the April of 1941 he returned to his old home neighborhood, where he was employed by an uncle.

Here he worked till he volunteered for service on September 4, 1943, at Winterset, Iowa. On September 29 he left for Navy training at Camp Waldron, Farragut, Idaho, where he was trained in Co. 848, Regiment 1st Battalion No. 3, under Company Commander R. J. Jenkins. He finished his training and returned home on November 29, 1943 for a short leave which he spent with his relatives and friends. On December 8th he returned to Camp Waldron to join his company December 22nd he left Camp Waldron for Shoemaker, California, where he remained till January 3, 1944.

His next letter, dated February 8, was written from a base in New Hebredes Archpelego. During the following months he moved to different bases. On March 4, 1944, he was assigned to the crew of the destroyer U. S. S. Spence; and saw action with Admiral Nimitz's fleet.

His ship returned to navy base at San Francisco for repairs, August 19th. September 10th he received leave, and arrived home September 12th. His relatives and friends will remember his last visit, as will his minister. He left September 27th to join his ship, reporting for duty September 29th, his 23rd birthday. His ship sailed for the Southwest Pacific October 4th, where it joined the "Little Beaver" squadron. This fighting unit saw many tough engagements. On December 18, 1944, while operating off the east coast of Luzon, the fleet was caught in a fierce typhoon. Three ships went down, the Monahan, the Hood and the Spence. In this holocaust of destruction, Harold Edward Bloomquist lost his life, along with nearly all of the crew, of 220 men. His life was given for God and country.

He leaves to mourn his death, his father and mother, one brother and seven sisters.

They are Carl Bloomquist at home, Mrs. Dale Iiams of Murray, Iowa; Mrs. Sidney Hartman and Mrs. Donald Rheard/Rehard of Winterset, Iowa; Mrs. Claude Beaman of Dexter, Iowa; Miss Geraldine Bloomquist of Tacoma, Washington; Mrs. Leo Kirwan of Tenino, Washington; Mrs. Kenneth Archer of Des Moines, Iowa; two uncles, S. C. Bloomquist of Earlham, Iowa; J. D. Bloomquist of Washington and four nephews, two nieces and a host of friends.
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Coordinator's note: Surname is spelled either "Blomquist" or "Bloomquist" by various members of this family.

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