C. Alton Davis Listed Missing
C. Alton Davis, Waterloo, water tender third class, is “missing in the performance of duty” somewhere in the Pacific, according to a navy department message received Friday by his wife, the former Margaret Baird of Dunkerton, now residing at 316 Boston avenue.
Davis was employed by the Rath Packing Co. and Chamberlain Corp. prior to entering service in September, 1943, received boot training at Farragut, Ida., and basic engineer’s schooling at Dearborn, Mich., before being assigned to sea duty last August.
Son of Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Davis, Livia, Ky., he had recently been promoted to his present rating form fireman first class.
His brother, L. J. Davis, seaman first class, had been hospitalized at Corona, Cal., a year after contracting a fever while serving in the Pacific.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Friday, December 01, 1944, Page 12 (photo included)
C. A. Davis Killed in S. Pacific
C. Alton Davis, 22, water tender third class in the navy, was listed as dead, according to a telegram received from the war department this week by his wife, Margaret, 316 Boston avenue.
He had been reported missing in action Nov. 30 in the south Pacific area when his ship was accidentally blown up. The most recent message said that Davis had been killed Nov. 10, 1944.
Formerly employed by Rath Packing Co. and Chamberlain Corp. here before entering service in September, 1943, Davis received boot training at Farragut, Ida., and basic engineering training in Dearborn, Mich. A promotion to fireman first class was received just following his death.
Born in McClain county, Ky., July 20, 1912, son of Clarence and Alma Davis, he came to Waterloo nine years ago. He married Margaret Baird, formerly of Dunkerton, Ia., Dec. 17, 1937, at Dunkerton.
Surviving are his wife, his parents at Livia, Ky.; a brother, L. J. Davis, seaman first class, in a navy hospital at Corona, Cal., under treatment for a tropical fever contracted in the south Pacific; three sisters, Jean, Gladys and Ruth, all of livia, Ky.; and his paternal grandmother, Mrs. Mattie Blockford, Owensborough, Ky.
Memorial Rites Sunday.
A memorial service will be conducted at 2:30 p. m. Sunday in First Baptist church at Dunkerton by Rev. B. H. Thorlakson. Miss Irma Dille, 1326 Logan avenue, a friend of Davis, will solo.
Source: Waterloo Daily Courier, Waterloo, Iowa, Friday, February 15, 1945, Page 1
