Briefing Document: John Glenn DuPriest - WWII US Navy

Subject: Life and Service of John Glenn DuPriest, US Navy, WWII

Date: October 26, 2023

Source: https://hotvetsmem.com/ww2cas/ww2comanche/hotww2hrbiocomanche.html#JGD

1. Background & Personal Information:

Full Name: John Glenn DuPriest

Birth Date: February 10, 1924

Birthplace: De Leon, Comanche County, Texas

Family:Father: John Thomas DuPriest (b. 1881, d. 1941)

Mother: Winnie Maude Lee DuPriest (b. 1894, d. 1967)

He had two brothers and two sisters.

Physical Description (Draft Registration, 1942):Height: 6'2"

Weight: 187 lbs.

Eyes: Blue

Hair: Black

No listed scars or tattoos.

Residency: Lived in JP5, Comanche County, Texas throughout his childhood. In 1942, residing at RFD 4 De Leon, Comanche County, Texas.

Occupation (Pre-Enlistment): Farmer in De Leon, Texas.

Marital Status: Single at the time of enlistment.

2. Military Service:

Enlistment: Enlisted in the US Navy from civilian life as an apprentice seaman.

Service Number: 9385171

Rank: Fireman Second Class Petty Officer

Assigned Vessel: USS Cooper (DD-695)

Theater of Operations: Philippine Islands, Leyte Operation.

Next of Kin: Mother, Mrs. Maude DuPriest, Rt. 2, DeLeon, Texas.

3. Key Events - USS Cooper & Loss:

Date of Loss: December 3, 1944.

Operation: USS Cooper was involved in an operation to destroy Japanese shipping in Ormoc Bay, Leyte.

Engagement: Engaged with two Japanese destroyers and numerous small craft on December 2, 1944.

Sinking: The USS Cooper was torpedoed by the Japanese destroyer IJN Take at approximately 00:13 on December 3, 1944.

Description of Sinking: "Cooper suffered an explosion on her starboard side, then broke in two, and sank within a minute."

Casualties: Of the crew, 168 were rescued by PBY airplanes. 191 men, including John G. DuPriest were lost.

Delay in Rescue: "The presence of enemy forces prevented rescue of survivors until about 14:00..."

4. Status & Memorialization:

Status: Officially listed as "missing" on December 3, 1944. His remains were never recovered.

Memorial: Remembered on the Walls of the Missing in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial at Manila, Philippines.

5. Key Themes & Ideas:

Small-Town Roots: DuPriest was a young man from a rural area in Texas, highlighting the contribution of individuals from all walks of life to the war effort.

Rapid Transition: The document traces his journey from a Texas farmer to a sailor involved in fierce combat.

Tragedy of War: The sudden and violent sinking of the USS Cooper underscores the risks and heavy losses experienced by naval personnel in WWII.

The Sacrifice of the Missing: The fact that DuPriest's remains were never recovered is a stark reminder of the many servicemen who made the ultimate sacrifice without a definitive closure for their families. The memorialization at Manila highlights the desire to honor these individuals even in the absence of their physical remains.

6. Important Quotes:

"Cooper suffered an explosion on her starboard side, then broke in two, and sank within a minute." (Describes the sinking of his ship.)

7. Conclusion:

The life of John Glenn DuPriest is a poignant story of a young man who left his rural life behind to serve his country in World War II. His tragic loss aboard the USS Cooper is a reminder of the immense sacrifices made during the war, and his memory is preserved at the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial. This briefing document serves to outline the basic facts of his life and military service, while acknowledging the larger impact of his experience within the historical context of WWII.