Many of East Point's sons and daughters have served their country with honor and distinction, even to the extent of the ultimate sacrifice. Jack Robert Boatright was one of those. He was the first East Point resident to die in World War II. Jack grew up at 508 Eighth Street in East Point. His parents Robert Chesley Boatright and Mae Evelyn DeMooney raised eight children there. The family belonged to the First Baptist Church of East Point. Jack graduated from Russell High School in May, 1937 and enlisted in the U. S. Navy in July, 1937. He served a four year enlistment and was honorably discharged in 1941, remaining in the U. S. Navy Reserve. He then took a job with the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad as a switchman. After Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941 Jack re-entered the Navy on February 1, 1942. He was assigned to the USS Juneau (CL-52), a light cruiser, as Gunners Mate Second Class and Turret Captain. The USS Juneau was on duty in the South Pacific. Shortly after midnight on the morning of November 13, 1942 the USS Juneau and other ships engaged the Japanese in the Battle of Guadalcanal. After hours of fierce fighting the USS Juneau took a direct torpedo hit near its magazine and exploded, sinking almost immediately. Of the 699 Officers and Crew, 685 were lost. 4 had transferred to another ship earlier in the battle and only 10 were picked up at sea after the sinking. Also lost with Jack Boatright and the others on the USS Juneau that day were the Five Sullivan Brothers. In April, 1947 the AMVETS (American Veterans of World War II) chartered a unit in East Point, Georgia. It was named "Boatright-Simpson Post No. 13, East Point, GA". Named after Jack Boatright and Guerald M. Simpson (a U. S. Army casualty of WW II). Although Jack is still at sea, his memorial marker is in the family plot at Hillcrest Cemetery in East Point. Anchors Aweigh, Jack.
By: Charles W. Strickland, President
East Point Historical Society
The official Navy memorial is located in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila City, Philippines.
Other memorials that bear his name along with others are:
The Memorial to the U.S.S. Juneau in Juneau Alaska.
VICTORY PARK in East Point Georgia, USA. This is a memorial to the towns fallen.
By: Charles W. Strickland, President
East Point Historical Society
The official Navy memorial is located in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila City, Philippines.
Other memorials that bear his name along with others are:
The Memorial to the U.S.S. Juneau in Juneau Alaska.
VICTORY PARK in East Point Georgia, USA. This is a memorial to the towns fallen.
Many of East Point's sons and daughters have served their country with honor and distinction, even to the extent of the ultimate sacrifice. Jack Robert Boatright was one of those. He was the first East Point resident to die in World War II. Jack grew up at 508 Eighth Street in East Point. His parents Robert Chesley Boatright and Mae Evelyn DeMooney raised eight children there. The family belonged to the First Baptist Church of East Point. Jack graduated from Russell High School in May, 1937 and enlisted in the U. S. Navy in July, 1937. He served a four year enlistment and was honorably discharged in 1941, remaining in the U. S. Navy Reserve. He then took a job with the Nashville, Chattanooga and St. Louis Railroad as a switchman. After Pearl Harbor was attacked on December 7, 1941 Jack re-entered the Navy on February 1, 1942. He was assigned to the USS Juneau (CL-52), a light cruiser, as Gunners Mate Second Class and Turret Captain. The USS Juneau was on duty in the South Pacific. Shortly after midnight on the morning of November 13, 1942 the USS Juneau and other ships engaged the Japanese in the Battle of Guadalcanal. After hours of fierce fighting the USS Juneau took a direct torpedo hit near its magazine and exploded, sinking almost immediately. Of the 699 Officers and Crew, 685 were lost. 4 had transferred to another ship earlier in the battle and only 10 were picked up at sea after the sinking. Also lost with Jack Boatright and the others on the USS Juneau that day were the Five Sullivan Brothers. In April, 1947 the AMVETS (American Veterans of World War II) chartered a unit in East Point, Georgia. It was named "Boatright-Simpson Post No. 13, East Point, GA". Named after Jack Boatright and Guerald M. Simpson (a U. S. Army casualty of WW II). Although Jack is still at sea, his memorial marker is in the family plot at Hillcrest Cemetery in East Point. Anchors Aweigh, Jack.
By: Charles W. Strickland, President
East Point Historical Society
The official Navy memorial is located in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila City, Philippines.
Other memorials that bear his name along with others are:
The Memorial to the U.S.S. Juneau in Juneau Alaska.
VICTORY PARK in East Point Georgia, USA. This is a memorial to the towns fallen.
By: Charles W. Strickland, President
East Point Historical Society
The official Navy memorial is located in the Manila American Cemetery and Memorial Manila City, Philippines.
Other memorials that bear his name along with others are:
The Memorial to the U.S.S. Juneau in Juneau Alaska.
VICTORY PARK in East Point Georgia, USA. This is a memorial to the towns fallen.
