Owen Earl Hoover was born in Knoxville, Tennessee. He was the son of Owen Alexander Hoover and Annette Elizabeth Whittaker.
He was Killed in action on Okinawa May 7, 1945.
“He was my uncle and I was 11 years old when he got killed. He was first buried in a large cemetery in Okinawa. When they brought his body (bones) back he laid in state at our house. He was identified by his partial missing in front. His front teeth were knocked out playing football at Rule High School in early 40’s. He wanted to serve his country before going on to college. He got a week’s leave after basic and was shipped overseas…..Never to return. A motto he wrote in my autograph book while on leave was: “Always strive for that extra yard in life.”
–Submitted by Delores Peigh
The Knoxville News-Sentinel, 27 May 1945:
Pfc. Owen E. (Sonny) Hoover, 20, was killed in action on Okinawa May 7, the War Department has notified his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Owen A. Hoover, 512 Schofield Street. The former Rule High School football player frequently expressed his desire to come home. In a recent letter, he said, “I’ll be so glad when I can lay down my arms and be a civilian once again.” The Marine entered the service 22 months ago and had been in the South Pacific 16 months. He saw action at New Britain, Peleliu and Okinawa. Pfc. Hoover wanted to come home and tell his father about his travels. Mr. Hoover had been in Japan, New Guinea and other Pacific islands during pre-war days. The youthful veteran is also survived by one brother, Merle, and six sisters.
- Rank: Private First Class
- Date of birth: 15 December 1924
- Date of death: 7 May 1945
- County: Knox
- Hometown: Knoxville
- Service Branch: Marine Corps
- Division/Assignment: 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Battles: Okinawa
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: New Gray Cemetery, Knoxville, Knox County, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VIII, Top Panel
- Sponsored by: Delores Leigh
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