JUD F. YOHO, JR., LCDR, USN

Jud Yoho, Jr. '36

Date of birth: December 23, 1911

Date of death: July 11, 1943

Age: 31

Lucky Bag

From the 1936 Lucky Bag:

Jud Francis Yoho, Jr.

Youngstown, Ohio

"Tomater"

Jud came to the Naval Academy to follow the footsteps of big brother John. Since then his battles have been many, both in academics and sports. Math had its horrors for him, to mention nothing of the dozen or so others, but somehow Tomater always came out on top. Gym plebe year, and later baseball in any form were his sports. The fairer sex have their attractions for him, but "Spud" has so far managed to dodge the pitfalls of love—with the exception of that one and only case. He has done his share in dragging at the hops. A good bull slinger, but not a radiator hound, sat but not savvy, goodlooking but not a snake; put them all together and you have Jud, the up-and-coming roommate that's bound to get his wings and succeed in the fleet.

Football 4; Gym 4, 3; Class Wrestling 2, 1; Company Representative 3, 2, 1; Two Stripes

Jud Francis Yoho, Jr.

Youngstown, Ohio

"Tomater"

Jud came to the Naval Academy to follow the footsteps of big brother John. Since then his battles have been many, both in academics and sports. Math had its horrors for him, to mention nothing of the dozen or so others, but somehow Tomater always came out on top. Gym plebe year, and later baseball in any form were his sports. The fairer sex have their attractions for him, but "Spud" has so far managed to dodge the pitfalls of love—with the exception of that one and only case. He has done his share in dragging at the hops. A good bull slinger, but not a radiator hound, sat but not savvy, goodlooking but not a snake; put them all together and you have Jud, the up-and-coming roommate that's bound to get his wings and succeed in the fleet.

Football 4; Gym 4, 3; Class Wrestling 2, 1; Company Representative 3, 2, 1; Two Stripes

Loss

Jud was lost when USS Runner (SS 275) was sunk, probably by a mine, on July 11, 1943. He was the boat's executive officer.

Other Information

From researcher Kathy Franz:

Born in Seattle, Washington, he graduated in January 1930 from Jefferson High School, Portland, Oregon. President of the Trails Club, J Club, Chief of Fire Squad F. In a talk to the student assembly, Chief Yoho reminded them that Jefferson holds the world record for fire drills. The building was evacuated of 1600 students in 52 ½ seconds.
His father was a prominent builder and lumberman; his mother was Elsie. Jud lived with his grandparents John and Katherine Romestch in Portland when his parents were in Ohio.
His brother John '29 graduated in 1925 from Jefferson High School. “But he, while his companion slept, was toiling upward in the night.” John completed high school in 3.5 years. His deed was to be a math shark.

His wife was listed as next of kin.

Jud is remembered at the Courts of the Missing in Hawaii.

Silver Star

From Hall of Valor:

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to Commander Jud Francis Yoho, Jr. (NSN: 0-77108), United States Navy, for gallantry and intrepidity in combat while serving aboard the U.S.S. RUNNER (SS-275) During an extensive War Patrol, in enemy waters and despite determined enemy opposition he courageously and skillfully performed his duties as Engineer and Diving Officer of a United States Submarine and thus assisted in the sinking of an important amount of Japanese shipping. His excellent judgment and coolness under fire contributed in a large measure to the success of the ship. His conduct throughout was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.
General Orders: Commander in Chief Pacific: Serial 34
Action Date: World War II
Service: Navy
Rank: Commander
Company: Engineer and Diving Officer
Division: U.S.S. Runner (SS-275)

Navy Directories & Officer Registers

The "Register of Commissioned and Warrant Officers of the United States Navy and Marine Corps" was published annually from 1815 through at least the 1970s; it provided rank, command or station, and occasionally billet until the beginning of World War II when command/station was no longer included. Scanned copies were reviewed and data entered from the mid-1840s through 1922, when more-frequent Navy Directories were available.

The Navy Directory was a publication that provided information on the command, billet, and rank of every active and retired naval officer. Single editions have been found online from January 1915 and March 1918, and then from three to six editions per year from 1923 through 1940; the final edition is from April 1941.

The entries in both series of documents are sometimes cryptic and confusing. They are often inconsistent, even within an edition, with the name of commands; this is especially true for aviation squadrons in the 1920s and early 1930s.

Alumni listed at the same command may or may not have had significant interactions; they could have shared a stateroom or workspace, stood many hours of watch together… or, especially at the larger commands, they might not have known each other at all. The information provides the opportunity to draw connections that are otherwise invisible, though, and gives a fuller view of the professional experiences of these alumni in Memorial Hall.