23 Cassin Young Crewmen Gave the Ultimate Sacrifice for there Country
Killed in Action - July 30, 1945
Boegen, Billy Joe S1c
Date of Birth: 17 Mar-24 making him 20 when he died…
Date of Enlistment: 27 Oct-41 Enlisted from Dallas, TX
Reported Aboard: 17 Jan-44
Wounded severely in attack, transferred to Special Augmented Hosp #3 Navy 3256 and the next day July 31 1945 died of his wounds. (HIs grave stone is marked July 31 1945 as date of death)
Final Resting Places:
Buried temporarily on Zamami Shima, Ryuku Retto.
Grove Hill Memorial Park,
Dallas TX
Bill was wounded during the first Kamikaze attack on the Cassin Young on April 12 1945 and relieved a Purple Heart Medal and the Silver Star Medal for Valor.
Award of the Silver Star Medal to Bill Joe Boegen
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Seaman First Class Billy Joe Boegen (NSN: 3566957), United States Naval Reserve, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as Director Operator for a forty millimeter mount on board the Destroyer U.S.S. CASSIN YOUNG (DD-793), during operations against the enemy in the vicinity of Okinawa on 12 April 1945. After he had assisted in the control of guns which destroyed two planes, his ship was struck by another plane, seriously wounding him and damaging his director. Despite his injuries, he courageously remained at his station and aided in directing the gun battery in shooting down another plane attacking his ship. His courage and disregard for personal safety were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.