Post #2, 27 June 2015:
Soon after my grandpa, Frank Dippel returned from WWI overseas duty with the U.S. Naval Reserve Force, he married my grandma, Anna (Schneider) on 24 November 1919 in Evansville, Indiana.
Anna had a sister named Mary Elizabeth (Mayme), who married John R. Hogue in April 1917.
John and Mayme eventually had two children, Mary Elizabeth and John J. (Junior).
During the early 1900's, the name "Mayme" (pronounced "may me") was a common nickname for Mary. She was a very pretty woman who, judging by the sheer number of pictures taken of her with her sisters and other friends, loved to be outside and socializing with them.
Under unfortunate circumstances, Mayme passed away in 1922, leaving Mary Elizabeth and Junior to the care of their father. For whatever reason, their father was not able to manage care for both children at once. My grandparents agreed to adopt Junior and raise him as their own.
Early in my grandparent's marriage - prior to having children of their own - they adopted Junior. Mary Elizabeth would remain with her father.
My grandparents must have doted on Junior during the 6 years he was under their care. There are many pictures of him, most as a toddler or young boy.
Junior Hogue Junior Hogue, Frank Dippel, Florence Dippel
Florence & Anna Dippel, Junior Hogue ` Junior Hogue
At some point, John Hogue asked for his son to be returned to him. I'm sure my grandparent's decision to give up Junior was a very difficult and painful one.
Junior eventually moved to Michigan with his father and sister. Upon a recommendation from my grandpa, and possibly to follow in my grandpa's footsteps, Junior joined the Navy. He served as a Water Tender 2nd Class (WT2C) aboard the USS Houston. Here's a picture of him in uniform.
WT2C John Hogue
Junior sent a Christmas greeting card to my grandparents, showing an image of the USS Houston, the ship he served on during WWII.
This was likely one of the last pieces of correspondence Junior sent home. He died on 1 March 1942 when the USS Houston was sunk during WWII in the Sunda Strait in Indonesia.
My grandpa passed away in 1981. For the rest of his life, he felt a sense of sorrow and regret, remembering how he had recommended his adopted son, Junior join the Navy.
The story of the USS Houston is retold in the book, Ship of Ghosts, by James D. Hornfischer. Survivors from the Houston were held captive; their ordeal was adapted into the movie The Bridge on the River Kwai.
John J. (Junior) Hogue is remembered at the Manila American Cemetery, Philippines, in the Tablets of the Missing memorial.
Follow this link to his memorial page on Find-a-Grave.
Pictures courtesy of Karen Steffek Hinze.