Fire Controlman, Thrid Class Thomas Leon Barksdale

The Tribune
Seymour, Indiana
Monday, August 13, 1945
Page 1

Thomas Barksdale Listed Missing In Pacific Area

Thomas Leon Barksdale, fire controlman, third class, with the U.S. Navy, is reported missing in action since July 30, according to a War Department message received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Barksdale, South Park Drive.

FC 3/c Barksdale, who will be twenty-one years old this October enlisted in the Navy January 14, 1943, in Indianapolis, receiving his boot training at Great Lakes, Ill. He wore seven battle stars for participation in Pacific engagements.

On July 20, just ten days before he was reported missing, he called his mother from San Francisco leaving soon after for the Pacific area. He had spent leave with his parents in May.

A graduate of Shields High School with the class of 1942, he was popular and well-liked among the youth of the city. He is a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church, of this city.

Prior to his enlistment in the Navy, he was employed by the Real Sild Hosiery Company, in Indianapolis. A brother, Private Adrian Barksdale, is stationed at Keesler Field, Miss., with the Army Air Forces. Friends and relatives of FC 3/c Barksdale hope to hear soon that he is safe and well.

The Tribune
Seymour, Indiana
Monday, September 24, 1945
Page 1

Thomas Leon Barksdale was on "Indianapolis" Torpedoed off Leyte - Message Sent

Thomas Leon "Sonny" Barksdale, fire controlman, third class, missing crew member of the cruiser, "Indianapolis", reported torpedoed off Leyte July 30, is believed to be dead, according to an official message received by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Andrew Barksdale, South Park Drive.

Two days before the official announcement that the "Indianapolis" had been torpedoed after its record trip to Guam bearing the first atomic bomb to waiting B-29s, Mr. and Mrs. Barksdale had received word that their son was missing in caction since July 30. Hope that he had survived and would be rescued was dashed by the second Navy Department message recently received which stated that all available evidence led the Navy to believe that FC 3/c Barksdale was dead.

S.M.S. Graduate.

FC 3/c Barksdale, who would be twenty-one years old in October, was graduated from Shields High School with the class of 1942. He was a likable youth and very popular with his classmates. He was a member of Immanuel Lutheran Church. Prior to his entrance into the Navy, he was employed by the Real Silk Hosiery Mills in Indianapolis.

He enlisted in the Navy January 14, 1943 in Indianapolis, receiving his boot training at Great Lakes, Ill. He had won seven battle stars for participation in Pacific engagements. He had called his mother from San Francisco just ten days before the date he was reported missing, and had spent a short leave here with his parents in May.

Besides the parents, he is survived by a brother, Private Adrian Barksdale, who is stationed with the Army Air Forces at Keesler Field, Miss.