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Submitted: 11/3/21 • Approved: 11/5/21 • Last Updated: 11/8/21 • R466698-G0-S3
Texas
SECOND LUIETENANT 307 Army Air Force Bomb Group
World War II
July 3, 1923-January 8, 1945
*Photo/Information, courtesy of Edith Guynes Stanley
*Obituary
Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Hooker of Dumas received word from the War Department last Friday that their son, Lt. Tris Hooker, who was reared here, was killed in action January 8th. He had been reported as missing since that date when his plane was shot down over Luzon. He was Bombardier on a B-24.
Lt. Hooker was a graduate of the Wheeler schools and attended college in Los Angeles before entering the army two years ago last February. He had been overseas since last summer. The lieutenant was 21 years of age.
The Air Medal, awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in the sustained operational flight missions in the Southwest Pacific Area from November 16, 1944 to December 20, 1944, had been awarded the young officer. The citation, recently received by the parents read in part: "It is a tribute to a gallant officer paid by his country, by his colleagues and by his commander in recognition of fearless and unselfish service to the ideals for which every American is fighting."
Two brothers, Temple and Odis, are also in the service. Temple is with the Ninth Army in Germany and Odis is in the Pacific area. There are three sisters, Doris of Amarillo, Billie of Dumas and Mrs. Audry Buchanan of Gainesville.
(Published in The Wheeler Times, Wheeler, Texas, Volume XII-Number 21, Thursday, May 10, 1945, Page 1)
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The remains of Lt. Tris S. Hooker, son of Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Hooker of Wheeler, will arrive at Shamrock next Thursday, June 15 at 11:43 a.m. where it will be met by a Kirk-Mason Coach and a group from the Wheeler American Legion Post.
Services will be conducted at the Church of Christ here Friday, June 16 at 3:00 o'clock in the afternoon with Minister Ernest Grizzard officiating. The American Legion will have charge of graveside services.
Lt. Hooker was born July 3, 1923 at Wheeler where he received his grade and high school training. He graduated from high school here with the class of 1940 after which he attended college in California for two years before entering the army in February 1943.
Lt. Hooker was sent over seas in September 1944 and was killed in action at Manila on January 8, 1945. He was awarded the Air Medal for meritorious achievement while participating in the sustained operational flight missions in the Southwest Pacific Area from November 16, 1944 to December 20, 1944.
Besides the parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.W. Hooker, he is survived by three sisters, Mrs. Audrey Buchanan, Pauls Valley, Okla., Mrs. Doris Bolong, Wapato, Washington and Von Eva Hooker of Wheeler; 4 brothers, Leo of Berkley, Calif., Temple of Memphis, Tenn., J.W. of Portland, Oregon and Odus, HM2, Naval Medical School, Bethesda, Maryland.
Kirk-Mason Funeral Home will be in charge of arrangements and interment will be in the Wheeler Cemetery.
(Published in The Wheeler Times, Wheeler, Texas, Volume XVII-Number 26, Thursday, June 8, 1950, Page 1)
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U.S. World War II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
Name: Tris S Hooker
Birth Year: 1923
Race: White, citizen (White)
Nativity State or Country: Texas
State of Residence: California
County or City: Los Angeles
Enlistment Date: 11 Jan 1943
Enlistment State: California
Enlistment City: Los Angeles
Branch: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Branch Code: Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA
Grade: Private
Grade Code: Private
Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
Component: Selectees (Enlisted Men)
Source: Civil Life
Education: 2 years of college
Civil Occupation: Semiskilled occupations in building of aircraft, n.e.c.
Marital Status: Single, without dependents
Height: 71
Weight: 162
U.S. Rosters of World War II Dead, 1939-1945
Name: Tris S Hooker
Gender: Male
Race: White
Religion: Protestant
Cemetery Name: Texas
Disposition: According to next of kin
Service Branch: Army
Rank: Second Lieutenant
Service Number: 776987
Please see marker for Tris Speaker Hooker
Please see Hooker Family Marker
Contributed on 11/3/21
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Record #: 466698