JOHN P. BOCK, ENS, USN
John Bock '45
Lucky Bag
From the 1945 Lucky Bag:
John Joseph Bock
Kingman, Kansas
Born with a hayfork in his mouth, Jig-Jig decided to exchange it for the mariner's trident. He never tried very hard for any long suit to bid, but for three years he showed a strong no trump hand. He learned quickly plebe year to say, "I'll find out, sir" and has proven his ability since to handle responsibility. Bock's contagious friendliness has been felt by all except those unfortunate bearers of watch bills. His sense of humor and good will to all was seldom ever corrupted, not even by the shylocks of the academic department. John will be a success. More important he will enjoy life by bringing pleasure to others.
Battalion Pushball 3, 1945; Battalion Lacrosse 4, 3; Boat Club 4, 3, 7; Radio Club 3, 7; Reef Points 4; Portuguese Club 4.
The Class of 1945 was graduated in June 1944 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
John Joseph Bock
Kingman, Kansas
Born with a hayfork in his mouth, Jig-Jig decided to exchange it for the mariner's trident. He never tried very hard for any long suit to bid, but for three years he showed a strong no trump hand. He learned quickly plebe year to say, "I'll find out, sir" and has proven his ability since to handle responsibility. Bock's contagious friendliness has been felt by all except those unfortunate bearers of watch bills. His sense of humor and good will to all was seldom ever corrupted, not even by the shylocks of the academic department. John will be a success. More important he will enjoy life by bringing pleasure to others.
Battalion Pushball 3, 1945; Battalion Lacrosse 4, 3; Boat Club 4, 3, 7; Radio Club 3, 7; Reef Points 4; Portuguese Club 4.
The Class of 1945 was graduated in June 1944 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Loss
John was lost with nineteen others on January 9, 1945 while aboard USS Colorado (BB 45), operating in Lingayen Gulf, when the ship was struck by accidental gunfire from another ship in the formation.
From "Rep of ops In support of the amphibious assault on Leyte Is, Philippines, 1/6-18/45, including AA acts On 1/6, 9 & 10/45," a part of USS Colorado's after-action report:
During the attack which developed about 1900 on 9 January, a plane came in from the eastern side of the gulf, passed over the ships and got away over the western hills. He was fired on continuously while over the gulf but was not hit. He did not make any attempt at a suicide dive. This ship opened fire with the starboard A.A. batteries when the plane was a on a clear range. When the plane passed ahead and to the port side, the port batteries opened fire. Shortly after the plane passed overhead this ship was hit on the starboard side of the Air Defenso Station by a Mark 35 Mod. 6 five inch thirty-eight caliber projectile with a Mark 18 mechanical time fuze which exploded on impact. The resulting explosion killed six officers and fourteen enlisted men and seriously wounded four officers and twenty-eight enlisted men. An additional 16 were less seriously wounded and were retained on board. Many hits from stray 40mm and 20mm projectiles were received at about the same time. The carelessly fired shots killed the air defense officer, the port 5"/25 caliber battery control officer, the new navigator, turret ONE officer, and many key enlisted men on the air defense level and on the navigational bridge. The Captain, who was conning, fortunately escaped serious injuries, although the explosion occurred about three feet above his head. The ship at the time was working up to flank speed with hard over rudder in shallow and congested waters, As this ship has only one Air Defense Station, this unfortunate hit practically wiped out our key air defense personnel and seriously affected the ship's combat efficiency considering the importance of air defense in the operation.
Other
John was one of President Jimmy Carter's first classmen when President Carter was a plebe. (Information from March 1977 issue of Shipmate.)
From researcher Kathy Franz: "Father was Ben, a farmer, mother Minnie, brothers David and Bennie; sisters Wilma, Carlie, Angeline and Kathlyn. In 1940 both David and John worked on the farm."
John was buried at sea.
Related Articles
Robert Fair '33 and Robert Wolter, Jr. '41 were also lost in this incident.
Everett Herman '45 and Wilson Shafer, Jr. '45 were also in 2nd Company.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.