Carroll William Boswinkle (1924-1944)
ROSE LAWN MAN ACCIDENT VICTIM
MEETS UNTIMELY DEATH WHEN AIRPLANE STRAFES NAVY LANDING CRAFT
Midshipman Carroll William Boswinkle, son of Mr. and Mrs. Robert Boswinkle, of Rose Lawn, met death at Annapolis, Maryland, last Saturday when a plane on a simulated strafing attack, struck the landing craft on which young Boswinkle, together with a number of other midshipmen and WAVES were riding. Also killed in the crash was Yeoman Louise M. Smoth of Omaha, Nebraska.The young man leaves to mourn his untimely death, his parents, one brother, Robert, and one sister, Winifred L., all of Rose Lawn, and many other relatives and friends.
He was well known to many in this vicinity, and especially by the younger set.
The remains will be brought to the Sheets funeral home, with funeral arrangements pending arrival of the body.
This August 24, 1944, Lowell Tribune obituary was found on page 4, column 3:
- Midshipman Carroll William Boswinkle, born July 7, 1924, at Thayer, Ind., passed away August 12, 1944, at the age of 20 years, 1 month and 5 days, while enrolled at the United States Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland.
He graduated from Thayer grade school at the age of 13 and entered Mt. Ayer high school, from which he was graduated with the class of 1942. He entered Purdue university the following May, where he received three semesters of engineering instruction.
On April 20, 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. navy and received training at Great Lakes naval training station, where he was made platoon commander. Upon completion of his training at Great Lakes, he entered radio technical school at the naval armory, Chicago. On September 28, 1943 he withdrew from here and entered Tome school at Bainbridge, Maryland to begin his pre-academy training. At Tome he was made division commander.
Eight months later, on June 8th, he entered the U.S. naval academy as midshipman, fourth class. On August 11, he embarked from the academy with the entire plebe class on a cruise in the Chespeake Bay and was instantly killed the next day when an airplane crashed into a boat in which he was riding.
He leaves a multitude of friends he had made in the academy, in the navy, in school, in his home community, and at every other place where he has been. He leaves to mourn his untimely death, his father and mother, a sister Winnie Lou, a brother, Robert, and numerous relatives.
Funeral services were held Saturday, August 19 at 2 p.m. from the Methodist church in Thayer, the Rev. E.L. Worley officiating. Burial was made at Rensselaer, in charge of Kenneth Sheets.
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