WILLIS E. MAXSON, III, LTJG, USN
Willis Maxson, III '43
Lucky Bag
From the 1943 Lucky Bag:
WILLIS EDWARD MAXSON, III
Austin, Texas
His country called, and from the wilds west of the Pecos came Slapsie with morals, ambitions and a love for the service. He had the talent for his ambitions, the sincerity for his love, and morals that withstood everything. "N*'s," "N's" and hop committee aiguillettes show his proficiency in football, track and aptitude for the service. As for the girls, he's mighty susceptible, showing up with a new one after every leave. Naturally easy going and utterly adaptable, Willy hob nobs with the officers and G. A. boys with equal charm, but an overdose of the New Yorker or "hot jazzy music" arouses the Scotch in him.
He was commander of the Regiment for the first set and a member of the track team.
The Class of 1943 was graduated in June 1942 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
WILLIS EDWARD MAXSON, III
Austin, Texas
His country called, and from the wilds west of the Pecos came Slapsie with morals, ambitions and a love for the service. He had the talent for his ambitions, the sincerity for his love, and morals that withstood everything. "N*'s," "N's" and hop committee aiguillettes show his proficiency in football, track and aptitude for the service. As for the girls, he's mighty susceptible, showing up with a new one after every leave. Naturally easy going and utterly adaptable, Willy hob nobs with the officers and G. A. boys with equal charm, but an overdose of the New Yorker or "hot jazzy music" arouses the Scotch in him.
He was commander of the Regiment for the first set and a member of the track team.
The Class of 1943 was graduated in June 1942 due to World War II. The entirety of 2nd class (junior) year was removed from the curriculum.
Loss
Willis died on October 8, 1943 of wounds received from a strafing Japanese aircraft two days earlier.
From Together We Served:
On her first war patrol, Skate was assigned to serve as a beacon during American carrier strikes at Wake Island and to rescue any downed aviators. In the first operation of its kind ever carried out, the Skate in three days rescued six U. S. Navy aviators who had been shot down during the air strikes. The submarine was under almost continuous bombardment by shore artillery and was frequently subjected to strafing by enemy aircraft. On October 6th, in the process of one of the rescues, Skate's assistant O.O.D., Lieutenant (jg) Willis E. Maxon III, was strafed while actively assisting in searching for survivors. He died aboard the submarine two days later. On October 7th she rescued two aviators who had been shot down close inshore. They were Lieutenant Harold J. Kicker and Ensign Murray H. Tyler. They became the first two aviators rescued by the Lifeguard League. During the course of World War II, Tyler would be pulled out of the sea three times by American submarines. On October 8th, they rescued a pilot who had been in the water for two days. The same day, three more aviators were saved.
Other Information
From researcher Kathy Franz:
Willis graduated from the Culver Military Academy, Indiana, in 1939.
He married Mary Pauline Waltmon at the old chapel of the Naval Academy on June 19, 1942, Willis' graduation day. He was assigned to New London, Connecticut, and Key West, Florida. He died before his daughter Susan Diane Maxson was born on November 12, 1943.
In March 1942, his brother Richard Dan (’46) was appointed to the Naval Academy by announcement of Mrs. Lyndon B. Johnson, who was working in the office of her congressman-husband while he was on active duty with the U. S. Navy as a lieutenant commander.
From the Class of 1943 anniversary book "25 years later…":
Willy was born on 18 March, 1920 in Wichita Falls, Texas. He was appointed from at-large and entered the Academy on 19 July, 1939. After graduation he attended submarine school. After successful completion of this school, he reported to the submarine USS SKATE in the Pacific and conducted a number of war patrols on her. On 8 October, 1943 the SKATE which was surface engaged in enemy aircraft. Willy was topside and fatally wounded by the aircraft gunfire. He wore the Purple Heart, American Defense Service Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal. He was survived by his wife Mary Pauline who lived at the time. of Willy's death at 2300 San Antonio Street, Austin, Texas. She remarried and became Mrs. Mary Pauline Maxon Smith.
An article on lifeguard operations from submarines mentions Willis.
His wife was listed as next of kin.
From Austin American Statesman on July 2, 1939:
Pictures of Willis were used in a recent issue of Life. The son of Mr, and Mrs. Willis Maxson, both University of Texas ex-students, he is a frequent visitor in the Robbins home. At Culver he was captain and fullback on the varsity football team and also a star on the boxing and track teams. Cadet Captain and regimental commander, during the season he won the Logue medal, annually awarded the outstanding player on the football team.
As this year's cadet who, in the opinion of the faculty best exemplities the ideals of Culver, he received the Y.M.C.A. cup. As the student considered to have exercised the most constructive influence in the corps, he was presented the Cadet club award given by members of the senior class in the club. He also received the medal for the best all-round athlete.
At the final cadet corps breakfast, the corps gave him a gold watch as a mark of their high esteem and at the special garrison review of the infantry, cavalry and field artillery units held during commencement, Maxon was one of the 26 R.O.T.C. graduates who received certificates for commissions in the reserve corps of the U.S. army. A member of the infantry, he also received the medal for the most outstanding R.O.T.C. graduate, presented by the Reserve Officers association of Indiana.
President of the Cadet club and Hop club, vice-president of the Y.M.C.A. and member of the varsity club, he commanded the Culver Rifles Honor guard this year and received letters in football. track and boxing.
Danny, Willis' brother, doesn't have to shine in reflected glory but is making his own way. Named as first sergeant of company C of the infantry battalion for next year, he will be a junior and is a varsity football, basketball and track man.
Photographs
From the yearbook of the Culver Military Academy
From the yearbook of the Culver Military Academy
From the yearbook of the Culver Military Academy
From the yearbook of the Culver Military Academy
From the Fort Worth Star Telegram on January 29, 1939
From Hall of Valor:
The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Navy Cross (Posthumously) to Lieutenant, Junior Grade Willis Edward Maxson, III (NSN: 0-165882), United States Navy, for extraordinary heroism and distinguished service in the line of his profession while serving as Junior Officer of the Watch onboard the U.S.S. SKATE (SS-305), during an attack by a U.S. warship on an enemy base at Wake Island on 7 October 1943 Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Maxson defied extreme danger to remain steadfastly at his post while his ship effected the hazardous rescue of two naval aviators shot down within 5000 yards of the Japanese base. While searching for a third, the vessel was attacked by a Japanese dive-bomber, and was forced to dive to escape. During this action, while braving concentrated fire, Lieutenant, Junior Grade, Maxson received a mortal wound. His conduct throughout this action reflects great credit upon himself, and was in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
General Orders: Bureau of Naval Personnel Information Bulletin No. 327 (June 1944)
Action Date: 7-Oct-43
Service: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant Junior Grade
Company: Junior Officer of the Watch
Division: U.S.S. Skate (SS-305)
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