Yockey joined the Marines on December 5, 1941; he had barely made it to MCRD San Diego when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He sped through boot camp and Sea School, and was assigned to the Marine barracks at Pearl in April, 1942. Private Yockey joined the Marine detachment of the USS Vincennes in July of 1942. The crew had already attained a veteran swagger, having shot down Japanese aircraft at the battle of Midway; Yockey was probably assigned to one of the cruiser’s 5.5-inch secondary batteries. He saw action during the landings on Guadalcanal when his cruiser supported the Marine landings and fought off Japanese air attacks on August 7-8. Private Yockey was killed on the morning of August 9, 1942, when his cruiser was sunk at the battle of Savo Island. His remains were never found.
Yockey joined the Marines on December 5, 1941; he had barely made it to MCRD San Diego when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He sped through boot camp and Sea School, and was assigned to the Marine barracks at Pearl in April, 1942. Private Yockey joined the Marine detachment of the USS Vincennes in July of 1942. The crew had already attained a veteran swagger, having shot down Japanese aircraft at the battle of Midway; Yockey was probably assigned to one of the cruiser’s 5.5-inch secondary batteries. He saw action during the landings on Guadalcanal when his cruiser supported the Marine landings and fought off Japanese air attacks on August 7-8. Private Yockey was killed on the morning of August 9, 1942, when his cruiser was sunk at the battle of Savo Island. His remains were never found.
Gravesite Details
Entered the service from Indiana.
Family Members
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