SIOUX CITY MAN KILLED IN BLAST
John Whelan, Coxswain in Navy, Dies When Ship Explodes
John Whelan, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Whelan, 1906 W. Sixth street, was killed last November 10 when the Mount Hood, an ammunition ship on which he was stationed, accidently exploded, the Navy department notified his parents.
Young Whelan served as a coxswain in the Navy. He enlisted on the island of Trinidad, he was transferred to the Mount Hood which was assigned to duty in the Pacific.
Born May 18, 1923, in Sioux City, he attended St. Boniface grade school. He was graduated from Central high school in 1941.
Survivors besides his parents are three sisters, Sister Mary Gertrudette and Mrs. Eileen Bingem, both of Chicago, and Theresa of Sioux City and two brothers, Robert and Edward, both of Sioux City.
A memorial requiem high mass will be celebrated at St. Boniface Catholic church at 8 a.m. February 21.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, February 15, 1945
Edward Whelan Memorial Mass to Be Thursday
A memorial requiem high mass for John Edward Whelan, 21, son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward Whelan, 1906 W. Sixth street, will be celebrated at St. Boniface Catholic church at 9 a.m., Thursday. Young Whelan was born in Sioux City May 18, 1923. He attended St. Boniface grade school and was graduated from Central high school in 1941. He enlisted in the Navy in 1942. A coxswain, he was killed last November in an explosion of the ammunition ship Mount Hood in the Pacific area. He was a brother of Robert Whelan, manager of the Orpheum theater. Sister Mary Gertrudette and Eileen Bingem will come from Chicago for the mass. They are sisters of the deceased young sailor.
Source: The Sioux City Journal, February 21, 1945 (photo included)
John Edward Whelan died Nov. 10, 1944 and is memorialized at the Walls of the Missing, Manila American Cemetery, Taguig City, Philippines.
Source: abmc.gov
