US Navy Fireman Leo Franklin Cato was born in Qulin, Missouri on October 24, 1921 while his brother Seaman James "Jack" Henry Cato was born on August 10, 1920. Both were the sons of William Allen Cato (1888-1947) and Angeline Allen (1890-1954). The family had migrated to Myrtle Grove in Pensacola from Baldwin County around 1940 where their father supported them as a farmer.
Leo and Jack would enlist in the Navy on October 17, 1940 and after their basic training were assigned to the destroyer USS Truxten on December 15, 1940. Then came Pearl Harbor, with the brothers heading off to war toward their own destiny. Duty on the old WWI era four-stack destroyer meant protecting convoy's in the North Atlantic, as they transported troops and supplies where needed. However, on February 15, 1942 the Truxten was escorting a convoy out of Boston sailing for the large naval base at Argentia, Newfoundland. But three days out, they were struck full force by a huge winter storm that hurled hurricane force winds and tremendous waves at them. On February 18th, the wind and strong currents drove the Truxtun onto the jagged rocks of Chambers Cove on the Newfoundland shore. There, the repeated slamming of the powerful waves above and the rocks below began to break the ship apart.
Soon, it became apparent that there would only be one outcome for the hapless destroyer. Many of the 156 crewmen went over the side in an attempt to swim to shore, but the mountainous waves either swept the out to sea or crushed them against the rocks. Leo Franklin Cato was one of these that was pulled under, never to be recovered. His brother Jack Cato, along with several others made it to shore where they froze to death huddled in their wet clothing. Only 46 survived and that was due to civilians who rushed to their aid. Close by was a second ship that shared the same fate with 93 perishing of the 233 aboard the Pollux. On the Pollux was Raymond Culpan, a sailor that was married to Ida Mae Grant from Pensacola. He too perished that night but was his body was recovered.
The news of the boy's loss hit their parents hard, but they were only the first on a long list to follow! Jack's body was recovered and was buried in the Ft. McAndrews Cemetery in Newfoundland until the end of hostilities. Afterwards, he was brought home on October 26, 1947 and buried in Barrancas Cemetery. His brother, 1st Class Charles Willard Cato (1923-1993) was discharged in September 1945 while Benjamin Thomas (1910-1996) received his as well.
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