CPO Paul C. Naragon (1902-1942)

NARAGON

Posted By: John Davis (email)
Date: 11/26/2019 at 17:31:34

Obit posted in Ottumwa Courier December 9, 1942
Navy Man Dies, Auto Driver Here Faces Charges
Chief Petty Officer Paul C. Naragon, 40, stationed at the naval air base here, died at 6:45 p.m. Tuesday at the St. Joseph hospital as a result of injures sustained early last Sunday when struck by a car near the intersection of Second and Green streets in downtown Ottumwa. Naval physicians who attend him said the shock Naragon suffered, followed by pneumonia caused the death. The victim also suffered severe fracture of the left leg.
Ottumwan Held
Count Attorney John D. Moon and Police Chief Carl M. Higdon said after questioning a number witnesses, that they will hold Clarence Cratty, 19 of 412 Wabash avenue, driver of the car which struck Chief Naragon, on a manslaughter count. Previous charges against the driver involved operating a vehicle while intoxicated and leaving the scene of an accident without giving aid to the injured party. Chief Naragon was a veteran Navy man, one of the few veterans at the local base. His superior officers here said he was last stationed at Pearl Harbor, where he did valuable work in connection with the establishment of a medical department. He was a pharmacist mate, first class, and was assigned to the medical unit here.
Escorted To Ohio
Chief Naragon was born September 28, 1902, a was the son of Mrs. Eva Alberta Naragon of Osborn, Ohio. Besides his mother, he survived by three brothers and three sisters. The body will be sent from the Johnson funeral chapel to Dayton, Ohio tonight. A Naval escort will accompany the casket. In describing the mishap, authorities said Naragon and a companion had just come out of the Y.M.C.A. building where he roomed and started across Second street, when struck by Cratty's car, which was travelling west on Second. they said Cratty was arrested shortly thereafter. the following day he was released on $500 bond.