Woodrow Wilson Von Rohr was the son of Jacob “Jake” Rudolph von Rohr and Vertie Pope.
Gunnersmate Second Class of the U.S. Navy, was lost during enemy action on December 7, 1944, while the vessel Mahan was acting as radar picket ship during the U.S. invasion of Ormoc, Leyte Gulf, Philippine Islands. The ship was hit by Japanese Kamikaze planes with such ferocity that the vessel Mahan was sunk with all aboard.
From the Dictionary of American Fighting Ships:
USS Mahan DD-364 was on patrol 7 December 1944 between Leyte and Ponson Islands, the Mahan came under attack by Japanese Kamikaze Planes. During the attack they crashed into USS Ward APD-16 and Mahan was able to shoot down three planes before being struck by three more. The Kamikaze started uncontrolled fires on both ships. USS Walker DD-723 came to the assistance of Mahan and despite exploding magazines was able to rescue 22 officers and 216 men. The Walker was ordered to sink the Mahan and fired 30 5-inch rounds and 1 torpedo into her. While retiring from the action the Walker shot down 14 more Kamikaze planes.
Memorialized at Manila American Cemetery, Philippines
The Chattanooga Daily Times, 4 February 1943
Woodrow W. Von Rohr, 22, of near Dunlap, a gunner on the U.S.S. Mahon, recently informed his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.R. Von Rohr, in a letter that he participated in a great naval engagement near Australia in November, wherein 23 ships were sunk. Young Rohr enlisted in the navy July 6, 1942 in Chattanooga and has not since returned home. He inclosed in his letter a photograph of himself, also a photograph of his commanding officer, Comdr. Rodger N. Simpson of the Mahon. The picture of Comdr. Simpson, apparently taken aboard the ship, depicts in the background a steel wall on which is painted a Japanese “rising sun flag” and strips indicating that two Japanese ships and six planes had been destroyed. J.R. Von Rohr is a farmer.
- Rank: Gunnersmate Second Class
- Date of birth: 15 February 1920
- Date of death: 7 December 1944
- County: Sequatchie
- Hometown: Dunlap
- Service Branch: Navy
- Division/Assignment: USS Mahan (DD-364)
- Theater: Pacific
- Conflict: World War II
- Battles: Leyte Gulf
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines
- Location In Memorial: Pillar XVII, Top Panel
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