Lucky Bag Yearbook

From the 1942 Lucky Bag:

WILLIAM CHARLES ROY, JR.

Bill

Battalion Track; Foreign Language Club; 1 Stripe.

Bill, as he is popularly known among his many friends within and around the Academy, hails from Indiana. Coming from the Fleet, he maintained a high standing and still participated in many sports, earning his letter in cross country. Anyone who knows him will tell you that he’s a good man to have around, and a swell fellow to live with, so what more could one ask for?

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The Class of 1942 graduated on December 19, 1941, less than two weeks after the United States entered World War II. The class had previously been scheduled to graduate in February 1942.

Loss

William was lost when USS Grayback (SS 208) was sunk by Japanese aircraft on February 26, 1944 south of Okinawa.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

William graduated from South Side High School in 1937. In his high school yearbook: ““Bud” . . . Math-Science . . . X-Y-Z . . . Intramural sports. Four-year Honor roll.”

William was survived by his wife, Hilda Mae, and a son. (She was so devastated by his loss that she ultimately died of suicide in 1950).

William was also survived by his father William, mother Emma, brothers Homer and Mahlon, sisters Melba and Carmel. (Mahlon enlisted as a private in the Army - Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers - on 10/28/42; he had one year of college.)

He is listed at the Courts of the Missing in Hawaii.

Photographs

From the Lucky Bag

From his high school yearbook

Source

Silver Star

From Hall of Valor:

SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant William C. Roy, Jr. (NSN: 0-123558), United States Navy, was awarded the Silver Star (Posthumously) for gallantry in action while serving as Plotting Officer aboard a United States Submarine during war patrols in enemy-controlled waters during World War II. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Naval Service.

General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 337 (April 1945)
Action Date: World War II
Service: Navy
Division: United States Navy Submarine (SS)

Discovery of Grayback

In 2019 USS Grayback was found near Okinawa. Previous expeditions to locate her final resting place had been unsuccessful because of a mistake in translating the attacking aircraft’s report.