An American Navy Hero

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Dad gave me grandmother Low’s metal box at age 50,
There was some very good stuff inside the box so nifty.
I had forgotten where I stashed it until I found it yesterday,
And I went through it to see again what inside did lay.

 

 

 

 

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An American Navy Hero

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My grandmother Low kept some of her prized possessions ,
In a beat up old metal box from the era of the depression.
There’s nothing in there of great value that I found,
Just special memories that she always kept around.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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There were a lot of mementos in that metal box so old,
About grandmother Lucy’s youngest son Dean Low.
His Boy Scout registration card from February, 1937,
Indicated he was an All American boy at 16 in heaven.

Looks like those National Council Leaders had a little touble  with spelling.

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dean’s Onalaska High School Diploma was in there too,
He graduated on May 2, 1939 loving life as he grew.
As a young man in a small town independent and free,
Ready to live life to the fullest as the world he did see.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dean earned a scholarship to Southwestern University,
In Georgetown, Texas, not too far from home and family.
But World War II broke out and he joined the Navy,
Ready to serve his country and his flag with his savvy.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dean was assigned to a Navy ship in the South Pacific,
As a Machinists Mate Second Class so very terrific.
And in late 1942, a torpedo took his Navy ship down.
And all Navy personnel on board died or were drowned.

 

 

 

 

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In the box was a letter that Dean wrote to his Mom,
Dated July 26, 1942, which seemed like a happy one.
It’s a little faded and hard to read from way back then,
But you can tell he was happy and probably had a grin.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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I also found a letter to my granddad Frank in there,
From the Bureau Of Naval Personnel from somewhere,
Issuing Dean Gordon Low a Purple Heart metal award.
For his being killed in action in that awful Pacific war.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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In the front of that old metal box were Navy Metals.
Issued to Dean for service to his country standing tall.
There were five in all that grandmother saved of his,
Take a look at the awards of an American Hero like this.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Not many people have heard of this man, Dean of old,
That gave his life for his country in the War so bold.
So this is my tribute to this American Navy Hero I know,
Who died at age 22 defending our freedom named Low.

 

 

 

 

 

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By Bill

 

 

 

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Thanks for reading An American Navy Hero,
Bill