Home > United States of America > Iowa > Page County > Essex > Essex Cemetery > Jack Dean Farwell

Jack Dean Farwell

Birth	:	24 Nov 1925 Iowa, USA
Death	:	2 Aug 2004 Iowa, USA
Burial	:	Essex Cemetery, Essex, Page County, USA
Coordinate	:	40.8358002, -95.2818985
Description	:	JACK DEAN FARWELL, son of Clyde Ross and Erma Leona (Liggett) Farwell, was born in Walnut township, Fremont county, Iowa and passed away on Monday, August 2, 2004 at the Garden View Care Center in Shenandoah at the age of 78. In 1929, his family moved to Prairie township where he attended the Mt. Hope and Sunnyside country schools, as well as McIntyre school when spending the year at his grandparents, Jack and Addie (Ross) Farwell. In 1938 he entered the Sidney Consolidated Schools, graduating in 1943. In November of that year, one day before he would have become eligible... Read More	JACK DEAN FARWELL, son of Clyde Ross and Erma Leona (Liggett) Farwell, was born in Walnut township, Fremont county, Iowa and passed away on Monday, August 2, 2004 at the Garden View Care Center in Shenandoah at the age of 78. In 1929, his family moved to Prairie township where he attended the Mt. Hope and Sunnyside country schools, as well as McIntyre school when spending the year at his grandparents, Jack and Addie (Ross) Farwell. In 1938 he entered the Sidney Consolidated Schools, graduating in 1943. In November of that year, one day before he would have become eligible for the regular army draft at age 18, he enlisted in the navy. For boot training he was sent to Farragut, Idaho, and then was sent to submarine school in New London, Connecticut. His first naval assignment was at Guam as a sub tender in the summer of 1944. After making the rating of Seaman First Class, he qualified as a subman and was entitled to wear his Dolphins pin. He was assigned as a torpedo man on the crew of the "U. S. S. Bluegill" at Biak in November 1944. American forces had captured this 20 by 45 miles island off the northwest coast of Dutch New Guinea in May and June 1944. Jack served the remainder of World War II aboard this sub in the South Pacific. The U. S. S. Bluegill, hull number SS 242, was built by the Electric Boat Company of Groton, Conn. Her keel was laid December 7, 1942 and she was launched August 8, 1943. Her maiden voyage and first war patrol southeast of the Philippines was in April 1944, Lt. Eric L. Barr as Commander. In 1945, she was patrolling west of the Philippines where she got a 5500 ton tanker late in March 1945 and captured Bluegill Island in May. SS 242 was a "thin skin Gato class boat" in the Angler-Tunny series (SS 240 - SS 282). The Gato series were fast, strong, well armed and had a high degree of habitability. The acoustic devices--sonar and hydrophonic--were sophisticated and effective in the entire Gato class (SS 212 through SS 284). Possessing long range, this series was employed almost exclusively in the Pacific threatre where operational areas were a great distance from base. Patrols were of a very long duration, so these offensive cruises required self-sufficiency. The record number of patrols for any boat was 13. The "Cobia" (SS 245) is now a submarine memorial at Manitowac, Wisconsin. The "Bluegill" (SS 242) "was towed to Hawaii and sunk off Lahaina, Maui, on 3 December 1970 for use as a rescue training hulk. Although she could reportedly be raised if necessary, her main purpose is to provide a realistic site for diver training and practice with the rescue bell". An unlikely experience came when the Bluegill was assigned to capture an island in the South Pacific. Few submen are called on to fulfill their duty on land! HISTORY of UNITED STATES NAVAL OPERATIONS IN WORLD WAR II, by Samuel Elliot Morison. Vol. 13, page 287.--"On 29 May 1945, "Bluegill" launched a foray of her own. With two Australian Army officers embarked, she performed a one-ship amphibious operation on Pratas Reef, or Island, about 150 miles southeast of Hong Kong: "Captured Bluegill, formerly Pratas Island", reported Commander Barr. "Softened up island with bombardment by "Bluegill" , sent ten man landing force ashore, encountered slight opposition, raised American flag 29 May with appropriate ceremonies, installed plaque commemorating ourselves, destroyed Japanese meteorological station and 2000-gallon fuel dump. Now, on to Tokyo! Please have invasion medals struck immediately!" Unfortunately China has renamed the island Tungsha Tao instead of Bluegill." Jack's most dangerous encounter occurred aboard the Bluegill after it was spotted by a Japanese airplane. Upon realizing it had been seen by the enemy, the Bluegill went into a crash dive all the way to the bottom. The Japanese observation plane, however, dropped a marker and circled the area for hours, awaiting the arrival of three of their destroyers. The destroyers proceeded to drop 144 depth charges where the Bluegill lay, causing all of its light bulbs to break. The enemy left only after concluding they had destroyed their target. Finally the sub's sound equipment signaled no more enemy propellers in the area, and it prepared to surface. 'Twas then the Commander discovered that the sub was stuck in mud on the bottom from the fact the crash dive had occurred in water that was too shallow. It could be forced to the surface only by blowing its ballast tanks full of high pressured air. Meanwhile, the oxygen in the air which the crew had to breathe had become so depleted that a struck match would only smoke. But the Bluegill was able to break free from the mud. Upon reaching 42 feet below the surface, the sub's periscope was raised to scan the area for an all clear before completely surfacing. But once at the surface, another danger was seen: The lookout while mounting the conning tower spotted a depth charge stuck between the periscope and superstructure. The only way to take care of the problem was to re-submerge to the depth at which the charge had been set to explode on its own. Upon arrival at port, the remains of the depth charge were first examined by naval intelligence and then were cut up into small pieces and given to each member of the crew. His family found Jack's souvenir when preparing his home for sale, previous to his death. It is my understanding that there were but three of the original crew members surviving when peace was declared. However, on the way home, the Bluegill's commander said the ship was going too slowly and that he was going to swim the rest of the way. Search crews were unsuccessful in rescuing him. Jack had to spend time in an Australian "rest camp" before he could continue homeward. The other surviving original crewman was from Kansas City, Missouri. Jack was honorably discharged from the navy on April 15, 1946. He returned to Fremont county and attended G. I. School in Shenandoah, Iowa. On May 28, 1949 Jack was united in marriage to Ruby Louise Racine at the Summit Methodist Church, south of Shenandoah. Delores Cook, Celia Wingate and Ruth Warner; Leo Irvin, Bob Farwell, and Doyle Racine were in the wedding party, with Judy Harrington, a niece, as flower girl. Ruby is the daughter of George Hugh and Ethel Margaret (Howrey) Racine. Ruby was the fifth grade teacher at Sidney, Iowa, and had received her training at Maryville (Mo.) State Teacher's College, and is now a resident of the Garden View Care Center in Shenandoah. Immediately after their marriage, Jack and Ruby farmed in section 34, Prairie township, where their son Michael Dennis was born on July 20, 1950. He now lives in Villisca, Iowa. Their daughter Carol Ann graduated from Essex High School where in 1971 she was Homecoming Queen; she now is now a vice-president of the First National Bank in Essex. After moving to a farm east of Hamburg, their daughter Jackie Louise was born. She received a division I rating all four years of high school for her piano solo at the Iowa State Music Contests, and later appeared as "Ado Annie" in the Southwest Iowa Little Theatre's Broadway musical production of "OKLAHOMA!" by Rodgers & Hammerstein. Jack's family moved to a farm in Pierce township, northwest of Essex in 1960. In February 1961, he was named Outstanding Young Farmer for Page and Fremont counties, Iowa. Previous winners of the outstanding young farmer award included W.T. Lorimor, Jr., William Tyner, Jr., Buddy Jorgenson, Ward Scott, Bob Whitehill, Dale Spears (the first to be so named, 13 years previously), Kenneth Teachout, Don Scott and Bob Pease. In 1973 - 1974, the Pierce Creek Recreation Area was built on the western part of his farm, and soon after the Heritage Foundation purchased an additional 90 acres, including a virgin forest to add to it. A picture of the recreation area 35 acre-lake appeared in the Des Moines Register of July 7, 1974. In 1977, Jack and Ruby converted another portion of their farmland into what is now known by many as the Essex Golf Course. After selling the golf course and retiring from farming, Jack and Ruby moved to Pierson Drive in Shenandoah in 1992. "Jack was a member of the Essex Presbyterian Church, serving as an Elder for many years. His interests included golfing, woodworking, gardening, brass polishing, reading and being around animals. "Preceding Jack in death were his parents; sister Norma Jeanne Harrington; brothers Robert Lee Farwell of Valley, Nebraska, and Forrest Kay Farwell of Orion, Illinois. Survivors include his wife of 55 years; son Mike Farwell of Villisca, IA; two daughters, Carol Franks and her husband Danny of Essex, IA; and Jackie (Carlson) Johnson of Phoenix, AZ; seven grandchildren; four great grandchildren; two brothers, Walter Maurice Farwell of Tipton, Iowa, and Rex Farwell of Orion, IL; numerous nieces and nephews; other relatives and many friends." The Memory Register was attended by Vivian Walker; Arlene Tackett cared for memorials; Patty Johnson Johnson and Eleanor Sligar cared for the flowers. Memorial services were from the Essex Presbyterian Church, with words of comfort by Rev. Rick Sleyster. Margaret Woods was organist and Angel Dukes sang "One Day At A Time" and "I Know Who Holds Tomorrow". Ushers were Glenn Confer and George Ross. The flag presentation and taps were by the Weatherall-Hadden--Holmes American Legion Post #333 of Essex, Iowa. Inurnment was at the Essex Cemetery.

frequently asked questions (FAQ):

Where is Jack Dean Farwell's memorial?
Jack Dean Farwell's memorial is located at: Essex Cemetery, Essex, Page County, USA.
When did Jack Dean Farwell death?
Jack Dean Farwell death on 2 Aug 2004 in Iowa, USA
Where are the coordinates of the Jack Dean Farwell's memorial?
Latitude: 40.8358002
Longitude: -95.2818985

Family Members:

Parent

Clyde Ross Farwell

(1893 - 1967)

Erma Leona Liggett Farwell

(1897 - 1968)

Spouse

Ruby Louise Racine Farwell

(1925 - 2005)

Siblings

Walter Maurice Farwell

(1928 - 2013)

Rex L Farwell

(1934 - unknow)

Forrest Kay Farwell

(1936 - 2002)

Children

Michael Dennis Farwell

(1950 - 2010)

Flowers:

Nearby Cemetories:

1. Essex Cemetery
Essex, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8358002, -95.2818985

2. Hadden Grove Cemetery
Essex, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8656006, -95.2680969

3. Franklin Grove Cemetery
Essex, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8883018, -95.3106003

4. Mount Hope Cemetery
Nyman, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8788986, -95.2046967

5. Plum Thicket Cemetery
Nyman, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8916600, -95.2058208

6. Fishbaugh Cemetery
Grant Township, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7514800, -95.2732790

7. Rose Hill Cemetery
Shenandoah, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7661018, -95.3585968

8. Baker Cemetery
Norwich, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7538986, -95.2182999

9. Mount Calvary Cemetery
Imogene, Fremont County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8724000, -95.4208000

10. David Farm Cemetery
West Township, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9249960, -95.3766593

11. Monroe Cemetery
Imogene, Fremont County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8880997, -95.4222031

12. Bethesda Lutheran Cemetery
Douglas Township, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8430000, -95.1044000

13. Summit Cemetery
Yorktown, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7564011, -95.1374969

14. Walnut Cemetery
Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9519005, -95.3741989

15. Salem Cemetery
Red Oak, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9733009, -95.3088989

16. Polsley Cemetery
Yorktown, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7147000, -95.1850000

17. Manti Cemetery
Fremont County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7233009, -95.3992004

18. Snow Hill Cemetery
Coin, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.6903000, -95.2391968

19. Hewitt Cemetery
Red Oak, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 40.9850006, -95.2335968

20. Immanuel Lutheran Cemetery
Clarinda, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.8134190, -95.0799000

21. Drake Cemetery
Grant Township, Page County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7569530, -95.0990200

22. Chambers Cemetery
Fremont County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7863998, -95.5083008

23. Farragut Cemetery
Farragut, Fremont County, USA
Coordinate: 40.7352982, -95.4781036

24. Shank Cemetery
Red Oak, Montgomery County, USA
Coordinate: 41.0019500, -95.1918300