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Randall Jacobs to Walter Franklin George, July 31, 1942

  • wcu_ww2-682.jp2
  • A letter from Rear Admiral Randall Jacobs, Chief of Navy Personnel, to Senator Walter Franklin George in regards to Samuel Robert Owens. Samuel Robert Owens (1918-1995) was stationed at Cavite Naval Yard in the Philippines when the United States entered World War II. He was a member of the crew of the submarine tender USS Canopus (AS-9), which was actively involved in the defense of the Bataan peninsula until the fall of Bataan on April 9, 1942. The majority of the crew of USS Canopus, including Owens, were captured by the Japanese at Corregidor, and became prisoners of war. Owens remained a POW until the end of the war and received the Silver Star and Bronze Star for his service.
  • letter, bat Bureau of"NaVal"Personael, JJtt 82 . i i . nit W -'ungton, D. C. Refer to no. Pers. 640 EC Navy Department 261 92 22 BUREAU OF NAVAL PERSONNEL My dear Senator George: I desire to acknowledge further your letter of June 23, 1942, in behalf of Mrs. Edward Preetorius, in reference to an allotment from her brother, Samuel Robert Owens, Torpedoman Second Class, U. S. Navy, who is now among the enlisted personnel carried by this Bureau in the status of "Missing". In accordance with Public Lav/ 490, approved March 7, 1942, the allotment registered by Owens in favor of his mother in the amount of $20.00 per month, was placed in suspension following the report that the grantor was missing in action, since the purpose of this allotment was not designated. Before definite action can be taken to have the allotment in favor of Mrs. Owens continued, it is requested that she have the enclosed affidavit properly executed and return same to this Bureau. The Navy Department is making concerted effort to locate its missing personnel, however, several months may elapse before the fate of Owens can be determined. If, after reasonable time, the circumstances warrant an official declaration of death by the Secretary of the Navy, action will then be taken toward settlement of Owens' affairs, and the payment of his insurance and other benefits will be made to his dependents. Sincerely yours RAismATT T By Directi, Honorable Walter F. George United States Senate "Washington, D. C.