AIRMAN IGNACIO CANALES, JR 3619984 U.S.

NAVY
August 12, 1932-August 6, 1952
KILLED IN ACCIDENT ABOARD USS BOXER (AIRCRAFT CARRIER)



NAVY/MARINE CORPS MEDAL (HEROISM NON-BATTLE)
Ignacio CANALES, Jr was born in Benavides to Ignacio Cadena Canales, Sr and
Hortencia Gonzalez Canales. The 1940 Census shows that he had a sister,
Anita.
Nachito, as he was known throughout his hometown of Benavides, Duval, Texas
attended and graduated from the Benavides Independent School District,
Benavides, Texas in 1951.
Airman (AA) Apprentice CANALES enlisted in the U.S. Navy on October 3, 1951,
five months after high school graduation. After boot camp and training Airman
CANALES boarded the USS Boxer Aircraft Carrier. The USS Boxer departed
California 8 February 1952 for her third tour in Korea, with Carrier Air Group
2 embarked, consisting of F9F in VF-24, F4U in VF 63 and VF-64, and AD in VF-
65 (Airman Canales Squadron). (Ref. The Sea War in Korea, Cagle and Manson, US
Naval Institute, 1957, page 500). Rejoining Task Force 77, her missions during
this tour consisted primarily of strategic bombing against targets in North
Korea, as the front lines in the war had largely solidified along the 38th
Parallel. On 23 and 24 June, her planes conducted strikes against the Sui-ho
hydro-electric complex in conjunction with USS Princeton (CV-37), USS Bon
Homme Richard (CV-31) and Philippine Sea.
On 5 August 1952, a fire broke out on the hangar deck of the Boxer at 05:30
when a fuel tank of an aircraft caught fire while the ship was conducting
combat operations in the Sea of Japan. The fire raged on the carrier's hangar
deck for 45 hours before being extinguished. The final total of casualties
was 8 dead (Airman Ignacio CANALES, Jr, a casualty), 1 missing, 1 critically
injured, 1 seriously burned and some 70 overcome by smoke. Of the 63 who had
gone over the side, all were rescued and returned to the ship. Eighteen
aircraft, mostly F9F-2 Panthers, were damaged or destroyed. She steamed for
Yokosuka for emergency repairs from 11 to 23 August.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Boxer_(CV-21)
MUSTER ROLLS AND PERSONNEL DIARES of U.S. Navy Ships, Stations and Other Naval
Activities:
On 27 August 1952 The USS General W.A. Mann sailed from Yokohama, Japan with
the following Restricted Security Information:
PASSENGER LIST (DECEASED) VESSEL: USS GEN W.A.MANN
LOADED AT 2D T, MAJOR PORT, YOKOHAMA, JAPAN, 27 AUGUST 1952
FOR DEBARKATION: SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
Canales, Ignacio Jr. AN 3619984 U.S. Navy was listed along with 15 other
names.
Airman (AN) Ignacio CANALES, Jr was a hero to the end. The immediate action
report by the U.S. Navy (USS BOXER (CV-21) FIRE, Sea of Japan off the Coast of
Korea Action Report for 6 August 1952 listed the 9 individuals that died
during the fire. Three individuals names: *Lt. James E. Shropshire, CVG-2
Flight Surgeon, *AA I. Caneles, VA-65 (actual misspelling on report), PN3 V.L.
Cowger, VF-24 had an asterisk on their names.
*Died while trying to rescue those trapped in the Flight Surgeons Office.
Another entry on that report: Every man not trapped below unhesitatingly
entered the inferno without regard to personal danger from exploding
ammunition and bombs. The performance of the crew was magnificent and was a
most impressive demonstration of a selflessness, determination and teamwork.
The Medal shown above: The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is the highest non-
combat decoration awarded for heroism by the United States Department of the
Navy to the members of the United States Navy and United States Marine Corps.
The decoration was established by an act of Congress on 7 August 1942, and is
authorized under 10 U.S.C. 6246. The Navy and Marine Corps Medal is
generally considered the equivalent of the U.S. Armys Soldier's Medal, the
U.S. Air Forces Airman's Medal, and the Coast Guard Medal. It is given for
those who displayed heroism in a life-threatening situation.
Canales, Ignacio Jr.
General Orders: All Hands (February 1953)
Airman Ignacio Canales, Jr., United States Navy, was awarded the Navy and
Marine Corps Medal (Posthumously) for heroism at the risk of life not
involving conflict with an armed enemy while serving with Attack Squadron
Sixty-Five (VA-65), attached to U.S.S. Boxer (CV-21), after an explosion and
fire aboard that vessel on 6 August 1952.
http://www.koreanwar-educator.org/topics/p_navy_and_marine_medal.htm

From the Corpus Christi Times dated 16 June 1953.

Airman Ignacio CANALES, Jr. was buried with full military honors in the
Benavides Cemetery, Benavides, Duval, Texas.


Rest in Peace, Sailor! You and the Heroic actions displayed in Service to
your Country will never be forgotten! We Salute You!
--------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOTES, PICTURES, ETC, USED TO PUT THIS TRIBUTE FOR IGNACIO CANALES, JR FOLLOW.

Ribbons/Medals authorized for AN Ignacio Canales, Jr.




Top: Navy-Marine Corps Medal
Left to right: Combat Action Ribbon, Korean Service Ribbon, United Nations
Korean Service Ribbon


Medals: left to right: Navy-Marine Corps Medal, Korean Service Medal, United
Nations Korean Service Medal
Ribbon: Combat Action Ribbon, no medal struck, when worn with the Dress
Service Uniform, this ribbon is attached above the right hand pocket. The
medals above the left hand pocket.
NEWSPAPERS

CCCallerTimes 7Aug1952 San Antonio Exp 8Aug52 Stars and Stripes 7Aug1952
INFORMATION ON AN (AIRMAN) IGNACIO CANALES, JR AND FAMILY

Note change on date of birth. It should be 8/12/1932.
________________________________________________________________________
Texas Birth Index, 1903-1997 about Ignacio Canales
Name: Ignacio Canales
Date of
Birth:
12 Aug 1932
Gender: Male
Birth
County:
Duval
Father's
Name:
Ignacio Canales
Mother's
name:
Hortencia Gonzalez
Roll number: 1932_0001



View original
image


The date of birth on the actual grave marker for Ignacio Canales, Jr shows 12
August 1933.
1940 United States Federal Census about Nochita Canales

Name: Nochita Canales
[I gnacio Canales, J r]
Age: 7
Estimated birth
year:
abt 1933
Gender: Male
Race: White
Birthplace: Texas
Marital Status: Single
Relation to Head
of House:
Son
Home in 1940: Benavides, Duval, Texas
Map of Home in
1940:
View map
Inferred
Residence in
1935:
Benavides, Duval, Texas
Residence in
1935:
Same Place
Resident on farm
in 1935:
No
Sheet Number: 14B
Attended School
or College:
Yes
Highest Grade
Completed:
None
Neighbors: View others on page
Household
Members:
Name Age
Nocho Canales 30
Hortensia
Canales
27
Nochita Canales 7
Anita Canales 5


View image

View blank form
Corrections to the Census on Ancestry.com needed


SOPHOMORE-1950 EL CENIZO-#38 FOOTBALL


In Memoriam-1953 El Cenizo.

Freshman-1949 El Cenizo

Personal Comment: When discussing this tribute with a friend, he mentioned
that a teacher in school stated the following about Nachito: He was destined
to be a Hero. He once ran in front of a moving car and saved a kid from
getting run over in the nick of time.

Findagrave.com in the process of being updated.

Note the date of birthneeds changing?
USS BOXER

She was decommissioned on 1 December 1969 after 25 years of service and sold for scrap.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/USS_Boxer_(CV-21)

FIRE ONBOARD USS BOXER 5 AUGUST 1952
http://www.mywarhistory.com/uploads/myWarPictures/445-
Fire_on_the_hanger_deck_of_USS_Boxer_Aug.jpg


MESSAGE FROM SKIPPER TO HIS PERSONNEL AFTER THE FIRE
http://www.mywarhistory.com/browse/browse.aspx?serviceHeroId=15

Hangar deck fire on board USS Boxer (CV-21) that took place on 5 August 1952.
Ordnance men strip live 20-mm ammunition from a damaged F9F Panther jet
fighter, while firefighters bring the blaze under control. Boxer was then
operating off Korea. Official US Navy Photograph, now in the collections of
the National Archives.
http://navalwarfare.blogspot.com/2010/06/uss-boxer-cv-21cva-21cvs-21lph-4.html

PASSENGER LIST (DECEASED) VESSEL: USS GEN W. A. MANN
LOADED AT 2D T, MAJOR PORT, YOKOHAMA JAPAN, 27 AUGUST 1952
FOR DESTINATION: SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA
PASSENGER LIST (DECEASED) FROM THE USS GENERAL W.A. MANN. FROM YOKOHAMA, JAPAN TO SAN FRANCISCO, CA

USS BOXER OPERATING-SEA OF JAPAN. NOT CERTAIN THIS WAS THE AREA IT WAS WHEN FIRE BROKE OUT.