HOVINEN, CECIL Dec 24, 1942 age 27 DNB Texas

CECIL ALBERT HOVINEN  b. Apr 2, 1915 Hancock, MI Died Non Battle d. Dec 24, 1942

Maverick Co., Texas

Lt 36130360 Army Air Force Eagle Pass Air Field, Texas

Buried Evergreen Cemetery, Detroit (also on memorial Hondo Cemetery)

Parents: Richard Christian & Lena Haavisto (Johnson)
Siblings: Raymond R, Eldred, Clarence R., Erma, Florence I.E., Gordon C., Elloys, Chester

Richard and Lena are both of Scandinavia background, Richard born in Norway of Finnish parents. Initially a miner in Hancock, the family moved in the 1920’s to Detroit where Richard worked on the auto assembly line. In 1930 not only did they have several children living with them at 16339 Log Cabin, but also a daughter-in-law, wife’s brother and a nephew! In 1940 they only had Cecil living with them yet moved to a larger house on 15608 LaSalle.

Cecil graduated from Redford in 1933. Then worked as a machinist at Ford Motor Co. His draft registration was Oct 1940 then he enlisted Oct 24, 1941 at Fort Custer, MI, 5’8”, 138 lbs with blue eyes and blonde hair.

He attended Navigation School at Eagle Pass air Field, Eagle Pass, Texas. He was a Comtometer Operator. It was there his plane AT-7 #42-2445 crashed at Chittam Ranch. The pilot was 2^nd Lt Donald W. Pittsley from Bay City. The plane had a 4 man crew. Cecil's death certificate describes the primary cause of death as a fractured skull and multiple arms and leg fractures.

 

There is a wonderful family tree online for this family which has several pictures posted.