HODSHIRE, John William - KIA - Korea - Putnam

Washington, Sept 4 – The Navy department announced today the names of 114 casualties of the Navy, Marion Corps and Coast Guard.  The list also included the names of men whose casualty status has been changed officially.  Those Missing include:

Seaman 2nd class, John William Hodshire, USNR, Greencastle.

Source: Greencastle Banner May 24,  1945 p2

John M. Hodshire, Radio man son of Mr. and Mrs. Glen Hodshire is home on a 15 day leave. He has been serving in the South Pacific for the past six months and was in four major battles. He had been in the Pacific for a stay prior to the last six months.

Source: Greencastle Daily Banner Sat 1 Dec 1945 p 2

In memory of our dear son, John William Hodshire who was on the USS Indianapolis and reported lost. In our prayers each day and night we pray God has spared our dear son’s life and somewhere today he lives we know not where. But we trust in God someday before so long we will know. But in our deepest respect and honor of his birthday which he is 20 years old today, Dec 1 we are so thankful for the sweet memories we have of John William today and we will cherish them dearly for ever if he should not return.  Dearest John William, how we miss you. How we long for you every hour of each day. Oh how hard it is to begin each day anew. But how true it is when we say, how lonely it is at night fall for us as it is throughout each day since you are away. But if you did have to give your life for this country in heaven we know you must be.  In a land that is fairer than day. No sorrow or tears will you see. Will be rest and peace. For we know you would hear God’s call.  Only God knows what your life means to us and our home.  We pray and trust it will be his will before another birthday that you will be home with us.  Mother and Daddy.

--This is a poem written by his Aunt Odessa

Reminiscents – for John William Hodshire

John William was the name given to a baby boy

Oh! How he was loved by his parents, what a joy!

Johnny as I call you I can see you plainly now

As I first saw you in your tiny white gown.

Like all healthy babies as the doctors say should

You grew and grew as we prayed you would

Next I see you as a boy strong and healthy at five

For most folks thought you were too much alive.

That was the year to school that you did start

Every year along with your run you always hit the dart

Your fame of any you did get was in playing basketball

You played upon Reelsville’s team each and every fall

Until the Christmas of ’40 for that was the very year

You had appendicitis but without qualm or fear

For the operating room you were surely labeled

And the doctors performed the miracle upon the table

Then out you came again, healthy strong and fine

To be back again in your team’s assembly line

Again I see you as you and your dog Jack did roam

The dear old woods of my childhood near my home.

Good old pals, Johnny were you and your Jack

Qand he’s still watching and waiting till you get back.

To once again, just you two to walk those tracks.

Next I see you fair, brave, stalwart and strong

Having never committed to God or man any wrong.

I think it was about this time that you gave

Your soul to God, to guard and keep, my brave

I believe your were about 12 that year

My darling nephew who had never known fear!

Now I see you a boy in your upper teens

Who was always glad to chat with me between

The things a boy of your age always wished to do

But respect and thoughtfulness to your elders you never but grew

As boys of this age unthoughtedly often times do

Along about this time to you Uncle Sam did call,

But you never thought once of dodging this duty

You thought and said it was better to go, my beauty

Than to stay upon the farm with your daddy till fall.

Next I see you in your suit of the Navy blue

How proud you were, Uncle Sam’s uniform of this true

But prouder still that you were able to do your radio work

With never once a thought of trying this tedious work to shirk

Yes, my boy you’re among the missing ‘tis true

But this Aunty of yours truly believes your only away

Some day soon we pray you be coming home in your blue

With a glad loud shout, “Hello folks, I’m home to stay.

Johnny on this day you’re 20, wherever you may be

Just remember my dear there’s no one I’d rather see

And listing darling and just see if you can’t hear

As I saw, Happy, Happy Birthday Johnny my dear – Aunt Odessa