Clouser _Howard (Marion H)
Source: Lafayette Journal and Courier Fri Dec 26, 1941
Darlington, Dec 26 – Marion Howard Clouser, son of Mr. and Mrs. Marion Clouser of Darlington, survived the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, despite the fact he was a crew member of a warship which was sunk, according to word reaching here. The Navy department has sent official word that he was among the survivors.
Source: Lafayette Journal and Courier Wed 15 April 1942 p 17
Mrs. HC Rogers of Lafayette and Mrs. Helen Waggoner, of Colburn were at Darlington where they visited a cousin, M. Howard Clouser, survivor of the Pearl Harbor attack. Clouser, a gunner’s mate was a crew member of the USS Arizona, which was sunk with others, he jumped into the waters of the bay which were covered with burning oil and swam to shore. Sent back to California, he came to visit his father, Marion Clouser, near Darlington. Long a member of the navy, he has re-enlisted and returned Wednesday to Los Angeles for assignment on a warship. He stated that waters between the west coast and Hawaii are now safe and that mail is going through regularly.
Note from his nephew to Mary Jo Barton a cousin
Howard White was a purple heart recipient, Howard Clouser was on the USS Arizona when it was blown up and Dad went in on the initial wave at Normandy Beach (Omaha). I have loaned them several things of Dad’s --- a hand signed proclamation by the Mayor of Antwerp, Belgium for serving well over 100 days of V-bomb attack, a press release on his unit, his discharge papers, etc. Dennis and I didn’t know until I found the discharge papers that Dad was a recipient of a 4-bronze star cluster.
I checked with Dad to make sure my memory was correct. His brother Howard was on deck of the Arizona when the bomb dropped. He was blown off into the water and was un-injured. He went back to try and help those on deck who were injured and ended up swimming to shore through the fires in the water.
Dad and Howard were both lucky they survived the war. Dad doesn’t even like talking about it. I asked him why once and he told me his buddy that he went on shore with was killed within a few steps on the beach. He also told me they arrived by ship 3 days prior to the attack and that because of the timing of the attack he had to go through basic training twice. That’s about all he ever told me. It is easy to see why these men are called the greatest generation—first the great depression and then the war they served in that set the course for America’s greatness!
Source: Indianapolis News Sat 27 Dec 1941 p 12
Christmas in many Montgomery County homes was made happier because of word that sons in the armed service in the Pacific area are safe. Mr. and Mrs. Marion Clouser, Darlington have word that their son, Marion H. Clouser, sailor is safe. John McIntire, gun pointer first class in the navy 8 years sent word to his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Ira McIntire, Crawfordsville that he escaped the Pearl Harbor attack unhurt. Mr. and Mrs. Berry Jackson,
Crawfordsville received a “safe” message Christmas eve from their son, Justus O. Jackson stationed at Hickman Field, Honolulu. Donald E. Runyan, formerly of Waynetown, a naval flyer now serving his second enlistment also came through without injury according to word received Christmas even by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harvey Runyan, Alamo.