John Bock '45
Date of birth: September 22, 1921
Date of death: January 9, 1945
Age: 23
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.
Loss
John was lost with seventeen others on January 9, 1945 while aboard USS Colorado (BB 45), operating in Lingayen Gulf, when the ship was struck by "accidental gunfire" from an unspecified source. (One site gives "Sky Control struck by 5″ shells"). In addition to the seventeen deaths, fifty-one other officers and men were wounded in the incident.
John was buried at sea.
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."
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.
Class of 1945
John is one of 59 members of the Class of 1945 on Virtual Memorial Hall.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of the alumni in Memorial Hall.
