Personal Histories

Arthur William Lowery BM2/c

Arthur William Lowery, Boatswain Mate 2/c, USS Hugh W. Hadley (DD-774), was born on March 18, 1923 in Melcroft, PA and joined the Navy on March 3, 1942. He was assigned to the USS Indiana in June 1942 and subsequently served on the USS Hugh W. Hadley (DD-774), USS Boxer (CV-21), USS Currituck (AV-7), CASU (F) 44; promoted to Boatswain 2/c.

His most memorable experience was during patrol duty off Okinawa, on the USS Hugh W. Hadley (DD-774), where they engaged Japanese kamikazes. After being hit by two bombs and two suicide planes, they were able to save the ship, and were credited for shooting down 23 Japanese planes, for which they received the Presidential Unit Citation. He was awarded the Pacific Asiatic-Pacific Area Medal (seven stars), Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Medal, and a World War II Victory Medal. He was discharged on December 23, 1946.

He married Rose Selva on April 15, 1950 and had two children, a son, Dennis Wayne Lowery and a daughter, Donna Jean (Lowery) Roach. He retired from Universal Cyclops Steel Company located in Bridgeville, PA after 35 years of service and lived in Canonsburg, PA. He was a member of the Labor Temple and the VFW Post 191 in Canonsburg, PA. He passed away on April 16, 2003 in Fort Myers, FL.

Composed and submitted by daughter, Donna Lowery Roach, April 26, 2005.