JO A. HUMES, LCDR, USN
Jo Humes '45
Lucky Bag
From the 1945 Lucky Bag:
Jo Allison Humes
Springfield, Massachusetts
Plebe year, Jo thought he was still in Classical High School, but, as shown by the incredible number of fraps he acquired, the Executive Department thought differently. After exploiting the dubious joys of the Navy juniors for two years, he branched out First Class year and was frequently seen at the Hops guiding some queen about the floor on those P. T. boats he called feet. As an athlete, Jo sparked the Battalion track and crosscountry learns and spent many a Sunday morning on the tennis courts. During study hours, he was frequently seen with his nose in formidable volumes on obscure subjects like ornithology or Freud. An ability to "get the stuff" quickly and a clear professional mind should get Jo places in the submarine service.
Varsity Sailing 3; Battalion Crosscountry 3; Battalion Track 3, 1; Newman Club 4, 3, 1; Boat Club 4, 3, 1; Lucky Bag 1, Printing Editor
He was a member of the 4th Battalion staff (1st set). The Class of 1945 was graduated in June 1944 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Jo Allison Humes
Springfield, Massachusetts
Plebe year, Jo thought he was still in Classical High School, but, as shown by the incredible number of fraps he acquired, the Executive Department thought differently. After exploiting the dubious joys of the Navy juniors for two years, he branched out First Class year and was frequently seen at the Hops guiding some queen about the floor on those P. T. boats he called feet. As an athlete, Jo sparked the Battalion track and crosscountry learns and spent many a Sunday morning on the tennis courts. During study hours, he was frequently seen with his nose in formidable volumes on obscure subjects like ornithology or Freud. An ability to "get the stuff" quickly and a clear professional mind should get Jo places in the submarine service.
Varsity Sailing 3; Battalion Crosscountry 3; Battalion Track 3, 1; Newman Club 4, 3, 1; Boat Club 4, 3, 1; Lucky Bag 1, Printing Editor
He was a member of the 4th Battalion staff (1st set). The Class of 1945 was graduated in June 1944 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Loss
From At the Helm of USS America: The Aircraft Carrier and Its 23 Commanders:
In late 1955, Lt. Cdr. Joe Humes, the Ops Officer for VF-21, while recovering aboard Forrestal, just ahead of me, had a wire part. The cable wrapped around his tailhook, snapping his Fury inverted on the deck. Joe was killed instantly. His Fury slid up the deck and off into the water and disappeared. Capt. Donald D. Engen
This accident occurred on April 12, 1956 off the coast of Virginia.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Jo was born in Baltimore, Maryland. He graduated from Classical High School in 1941 in Springfield, Massachusetts. Annapolis Torch Club 1; Recorder Staff 2; Glee Club 2; Hi-Y 2, 3; Ski Club 2, 3; Hostel Club 1, 2, 3; Ski Team 3. Every man has his devilish minutes. Class Will: Jo leaves his miniature catapult [rubber band gun] to the Classical rearmament program. Class Prophecy: In a copy of the new Esquire, Jo wrote an article “How to Dodge Marriage Proposals.” Voted “Class practical joker.”
Jo was survived by his wife Evelyn Sahm Humes, and three children, Jo, Jr., Robin and Lucia.
Jo’s father was also named Jo. He was vice president of a banking company in 1930. He died on May 9, 1937. His mother was Lucia, and his sisters were Nancy and Lucia.
Jo's Find A Grave page is here.
Photographs
From his high school yearbook
From his high school yearbook, "Class practical joker"
From the Norfolk Ledger Dispatch and the Portsmouth Star, April 13, 1956
Related Articles
Robert Reynolds '45 was also in 19th Company.
The "category" links below lead to lists of related Honorees; use them to explore further the service and sacrifice of alumni in Memorial Hall.
