T/Sgt, 372nd Bomb Sqdn, 307th Bomb Group, 13th Air Force, U. S. Army
Plane Shot Down 12 February 1944, Rabaul, New Guinea; declared KIA.
Compiled by Linda Cunningham Fluharty.
Photo by Rick Lawrence; used with permission.
CLAUDE LEROY LOCKE, born 8 February 1918 in Pleasants County, W.Va., was the son of Leslie Lewis Locke and Edna Oliver, married in Pleasants County in 1913.1920 Census, McKim District, Pleasants County, W.Va.
French Creek
Leslie L. Locke, Head, 43, Pumper, b. W.Va.
Edna Locke, Wife, 23, b. W.Va.
Ralph Locke, Son, 5, b. W.Va.
James Locke, Son, 3, b. W.Va.
Claude Locke, Son, 2, b. W.Va.
Lyle Locke, Son, 3 months, b. W.Va.
William D. Hart, Boarder, 49, Salesman, b. W.Va.1930 Census, Washington District, Pleasants County, W.Va.
#33
Leslie L. Locke, Head, 53, Farmer, b. W.Va.
Edna Locke, Wife, 33, Laborer at Glass Plant, b. W.Va.
Ralph O. Locke, Son, 15, b. W.Va.
Denzel J. Locke, Son, 14, b. W.Va.
Claude L. Locke, Son, 12, b. W.Va.
Ganell Locke, Daughter, 9, b. W.Va.
Lyle L. Locke, Son, 10, b. W.Va.
Blaine B. Locke, Son, 6, b. W.Va.
Margarett E. Locke, Daughter, 2, b. W.Va.
Nancy J. Locke, Daughter, 11 months, b. W.Va.
Joseph R. Locke, Father, 83, b. Virginia1940 Census, Washington District, Pleasants County, W.Va.
#72 - Route 50
Leslie L. Locke, Head, 62, Farmer, b. W.Va.
Edna Locke, Wife, 43, b. W.Va.
Denzil Locke, Son, 24, Clerk Grocery Store, b. W.Va.
Claude Locke, Son, 22, NYA Projects, b. W.Va.
Lyle Locke, Son, 20, b. W.Va.
Gaynell Locke, Daughter, 19, b. W.Va.
Blaine Locke, Son, 16, b. W.Va.
Margarite Locke, Daughter, 13, b. W.Va.
Nancy Locke, Daughter, 11, b. W.Va.
Billy locke, Son, 8, b. W.Va.
Louis Locke, Son, 1, b. W.Va.
Albert Oliver, Father-in-law, 73, b. Ohio
According to his Army Enlistment Record, Claude L. Locke enlisted 19 July 1941 at Fort Hayes, Columbus, Ohio. He was born in West Virginia, had a year of high school, and he resided in Pleasants County. His occupation was "Semiskilled mechanics and repairmen, motor vehicles."
Claude's plane was shot down on 12 February 1944 over Vunakanau, Rabaul, New Guinea, by enemy anti-aircraft fire. In 1948, what was found of the remains of the eleven men aboard the bomber were buried together at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery, St. Louis, Missouri in 1950.
Photo by Kevin Lane; used with permission.
