Larson, Arthur Earl, 1916-1942

LARSON, LARSEN, DONOVAN, FITZPATRICK

Posted By: Lydia Lucas - Volunteer (email)
Date: 6/13/2021 at 20:33:35

From the Sioux Center News, January 6, 1944:

Mrs. John Donovan received word from the U.S. Secretary of the Navy Frank Knox of the confirmation of the death of her son, Arthur Earl Larsen, machinist mate on the Destroyer Preston. His death presumably occurred off the island of Sova on November 15, 1942 when the ship was bombed by the Japs.

Arthur Larsen was the oldest son of Mrs. Donovan by a previous marriage and last visited his mother about five years ago. He was a consistent writer and she received many letters from him. He served many years in the Philippine Islands, and was on furlough on the west coast when the Japs bombed Pearl Harbor and he was then called for immediate duty before he was able to return to Ireton to visit his relatives.

* * * * * * * * * *

His mother’s obituary (posted separately) shows her maiden name to have been Mary Alice Fitzpatrick and his father's name to have been Glenn Larson.

Several sources on Ancestry.com reference his death. “World War II and Korean Conflict Veterans Interred Overseas” has Arthur E. Larson, inducted from California; rank, Machinist’s Mate First Class, U.S. Navy; death date 16 Nov 1943 [the date as of which he was officially declared dead]; last known status, missing; monument at Fort William McKinley, Manila, the Philippines. There is a FindaGrave entry for MM1 Arthur Earl Larson, died 16 Nov 1943, entered on “Tablets of the Missing” in the Manila American Cemetery. “U.S. Navy Casualties Books” has Arthur Earl Larson, Machinist’s Mate 1c, U.S. Navy, wife Glennette Marie Larson, 3d Avenue, San Francisco, California.

“Iowa World War II Bonus Case Files for Beneficiaries” has an application form with supporting documents for Arthur Earl Larson, filed October 5, 1949 by his mother Mary Alice Donovan as his legal beneficiary (under “widow,” it says Divorced). They give the information that he was born March 3, 1916 in Witham (or Triplett), Missouri; first enlisted in the Navy Sept. 19, 1934 at Kansas City, Missouri; was honorably discharged Sept. 17, 1938; re-enlisted as Machinist’s Mate second class at San Francisco, Dec. 15, 1938; residence at this time was Ireton, Iowa; served on the U.S.S. Preston as Machinist’s Mate first class; killed while in active duty in the South Pacific; carried on the Missing rolls as of 15 Nov 1942 and declared dead in a letter to Mrs. Donovan on 30 Nov 1943. The Preston had been bombed in the vicinity of Savo Island, set afire, abandoned, and sank, survivors picked up by other vessels, and no known prisoners of war from this ship. Amount of bonus benefit due (and presumably paid) is $500.00. The file includes a supporting letter from Jennie McNally of Hawarden saying that Arthur Earl Larson is the son of Mary Alice Donavan (formerly Larson), stepfather John Donavan. “The Donavan family resided on the farm of McNally Brothers, of Ireton, Iowa, living in a separate house and working on the farm. When they first came here in 1930 or before Arthur Larson was a member of the family and lived with his parents. The Donavan family moved temporarily to Missouri and returned to the farm in 1936 and worked on the farm and lived in one of our houses until 1939 or 1940 when they moved to Ireton, Iowa where they now own a small residence property. Arthur Earl Larson after he became of sufficient age joined the Navy and used to return here when he had leave from the service.” A longer letter from James M. McNally recalls that the Donovan family came to work on their farm about 1927 or 1928; moved temporarily to Missouri in the fall of 1932 in connection with an estate or tract of land in which Mr. Donovan was interested; prior to 1934 Arthur would return in the summer and do farm work around the community, also returned after his first enlistment in the Navy and worked for a while on the farm; used to send his Navy allowance to his mother; kept personal possessions at his parents’ home and always referred to Ireton as his home; and that therefore his mother’s application should be given consideration. A letter from his mother says he enlisted in the Navy in 1934 at age 18, served a 4-year term, returned to Iowa in 1938 and tried unsuccessfully to find work, returned to California and re-enlisted in the Navy after failing to find work there; was married in San Francisco February 18, 1939 and divorced in California on November 27, 1942 (does not give his wife's name). The file also includes copies of his birth certificate and the marriage license for Mary Alice Larson and John Donovan.