World War II Honoree
Killed In Action
Eugene Richard Chapman
Branch of Service
U.S. Navy
Hometown
Denver, Colorado
Honored By
Orville L. Kline
Rank: Water Tender Third Class. He was inducted into the United States Navy September 30, 1942 at Denver, Colorado, with recruit training at the U.S. Naval Training Station San Diego, California. After his graduation from boot camp, along with any additional training; he was transferred to the USS Hoel Destroyer, DD-533 for duty. On Wednesday, October 25, 1944 the Destroyer and her shipmates, along with an armada of U.S. Naval Warships came under attack by an Imperial Japanese Naval Fleet, off-shore of Leyte Island, Philippines in the Battle-of-Samar. He was reported missing in action, lost as sea when his Destroyer was sunk by enemy Warships. In remembrance of the brave, his name is permanently inscribed in the tablets of the missing, memorialized at Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Location: Fort Bonifacio, Manila, Philippines. In his Memory and Honor, this American Patriot was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously, for his Heroism and ultimate sacrifice.