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Roy Howser, Jr.

First Name: 
Roy
Middle Name: 
Davis
Last Name: 
Howser, Jr.
Date of Birth: 
7/9/1917
Birthplace: 
Bessemer, NC

Death Details/Burial/Memorial Services: He served as a bombardier-navigator on a Superfortress in the India-China-Burma theater. He was killed while doing photo-reconnaissance work. His plane encountered mechanical difficulties and poor weather. Since his work was secret, the men attempted to land, rather than parachute and have their materials captured. When a crash looked envitable, the officers allowed the enlisted men to parachute, which did not allow the officers time to get out safely, due to the low altitude. He died not knowing about the birth of his son a few days earlier. His memorial service was held 12/3/44, at 1st Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church in Charlotte.

Age at Death: 27

Image Source: Photo-see Roy Howser file

Personal Details

Education Details: 
Attended UNC-CH, Class of 1939, Graduate of Central High School
Biographical Notes: 
Southern Railway System
Family Details: 

Doreen West Howser - married 5/10/1941: 223 Smith St., Georgetown, SC

Roy Davis Howser, III - born 10/18/1944 223 Smith St, Georgetown, SC

Mr. & Mrs. Roy Davis Howser, Sr. - 410 W. 11th Street, Charlotte, NC

Mrs. Jean G. Surratt - New Bern, NC

Mr. And Mrs. Truman V. West of Georgetown, SC - in-laws

Military Details

Military Branch: 
Army Air Corps Enlisted: 9/1/42
Military Rank: 
2nd Lieutenant
Military Unit: 
468th Bombardment Group, 795th Bombardment Group, 20th Air Force Navigator, B-29 Superfortress Blind Date
KIA Date: 
10/21/1944
MIA Date: 
NA
KIA / MIA Place: 
China
Military Details: 
China & India - 3/1944 -10/1944, Ellington Field, TX - 1/1943-4/1943, Primary Training School, Lafayette, LA -11/1942-1/1943, Maxwell Field, AL - 9-11/1942, Midland, Texas- 4/1943-7/1943, San Marcos, Texas - 7/1943-11/1943, Smoky Hill Army Air Base, Salina, KN -received combat training on a B-29 - 11/1943-3/13/1944, Nashville, TN - entered Classification Center, 9/2/1942
Awards: 
Air Medal - Posthumously awarded to his wife at Myrtle Beach Army Air Field, SC, 4/14/1945 - 4/14/1945, Purple Heart, received his navigators wings in San Marcos, TX - 11/13/1943, received his bombardiers wings and commission as a Second Lt. - 7/15/1943
Source: 

The Charlotte Observer, 7/13/1944, p. 12; The Charlotte News, 11/3/1944

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