Twice-A-Week News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
date clipped from article, 1943

The effects of the war was brought closer to this community again Monday when it became known through a communication from the Navy Dept. to Mr. and Mrs. F. B. MALOY that their son, Lieut. F. B. MALOY Jr. was missing in action.

The Dept. communication gave no further details.

Submission by Theola Weeda, June of 2013

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, June of 2013

Lt. Flavel Baird "Bill" MALOY, Jr. was born in Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa on February 7, 1918, the son of Flavel Baird and Nellie Irene (WILKINSON) MALOY. He graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy, Annapolis, Maryland, in December of 1941. During World War II he served on the submarine "USS Grayling" (SS 209). Lt. MALOY was killed on or about September 9, 1943, with all hands onboard, Lingaylen Gulf which is located off the Philippine Islands.

"USS Grayling" began her 8th and last war patrol in July of 1943 from Fremantle, Australia, but was not heard from again after September 9th. "USS Grayling" was officially purported "lost with all hands" on September 30, 1945, after having recorded five major kills totally 20,575 tons. The exact cause of the loss of "USS Grayling" is not known, however on September 9th the Japanese passenger-cargo vessel "Hokuan Maru" reported a submarine in shallow water west of Luzon.

The ship made a run over the area and "noted an impact with a submerged object." It is assumed that the "object" was "USS Grayling" which was scheduled to make a radio report on the 12th of September, which she did not. All attempts to contact her failed.

"USS Grayling" (SS 209) was lost with 76 officers and men aboard, including Lt. MALOY.

Lt. Junior Grade Flavel Baird "Bill" MALOY, Jr. is memorialized at Manila American Cemetery, Fort Bonifacio, Manila the Philippines. On the tablet of those missing in action, Lt. MALOY's death date is noted as Thursday, January 3, 1946. A memorial monument is in place at Rose Hill Cemetery, Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa. Lt. MALOY was awarded the Purple Heart.

Besides his parents, Lt. MALOY was survived by his wife, Mrs. Ila Mae MALOY of Des Moines.

SOURCES:
www.wwiimemorial.com/registry/search/pframe.asp?HonoreeID=2134232&popcount=18&tcount=3
U.S. Submarine Veterans, Inc.
National Archives
ABMC Tablets of the Missing
Iowa World War II Casualty List: Navy, Marines, and Coast Guard

Submission by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2012; updated June of 2013