Joseph Hugh Donald Ellison was the son of James Samuel Ellison and Georgia Hammer.
Seaman 1st Class Joseph Hugh Donald Ellison, United States Navy Reserve, served on the U.S.S. LeRay Wilson (DE-414). He died on the 10th of January 1945. He is remembered on the Tablets of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Philippines.
On 10 January 1945 she was hit by Japanese suicide attacks. The port side gunners noticed an enemy two-engine bomber dead ahead and about 25 feet off the water. The gunners maintained a barrage of deadly gunfire, which diverted the plane enough to save the ship. However, as the plane crashed, its starboard wing crashed into the port side, killing six gunners and seriously wounding seven more.
Killed in action
Boggess, William Warren Jr. S2c
Bryant, Dan Jr. StM1c
Koapke, Lorrin Rinolt, S1C
Missing in action
Boero, Louis Spirto Joseph, S2c
Ellison, Joseph Hugh Donald, S1C
Kimble, Joseph Jr. StM1c
Boero, Ellison, Jodoin, Kimble, Bryant and White were manning guns no. 5 and 7 on the starboard or unengaged side. Of these Boero, Ellison and Kimble are missing in action. Bryant was killed instantly. Koapke and Boggess died at their post of duty.
- Rank: Seaman First Class
- Date of birth: 2 November 1923
- Date of death: 10 January 1945
- County: Jefferson
- Hometown: Jefferson City
- Service Branch: Navy
- Division/Assignment: USS LeRay Wilson (DE-414)
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XII, Middle Panel
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