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Joplin Carl Hord

Sergeant Major Joplin C. Hord served the Marine detachment aboard the cruiser USS Astoria (CA-34).
He was lost at sea in the battle of Savo Island, off Guadalcanal, on 9 August 1942.

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Branch

Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 156901

Created by potrace 1.16, written by Peter Selinger 2001-2019

Current Status

Lost At Sea

Pursuit Category

Based on circumstances of loss, this individual is considered permanently non-recoverable.

Capsule History

Pre-War Life

Birth

March 5, 1901
at Osage, TX

Parents

Joplin Donnell Hord
Mary Elizabeth (Mourfield) Hord

Education

Details unknown

Occupation & Employer

Professional Marine

Service Life

Entered Service

November 1, 1919
at Parris Island, SC

Home Of Record

Valley Mills, TX

Next Of Kin

Mother, Mrs. Mary Hord

Military Specialty

Sergeant Major

Primary Unit

USS Astoria

Campaigns Served

Coral Sea
Midway
Guadalcanal / Savo Island

Individual Decorations

Purple Heart

Additional Service Details

Loss And Burial

Circumstances Of Loss

Sergeant Major Joplin Hord served as the senior NCO of the the Marine detachment aboard the heavy cruiser USS Astoria in 1942.

Astoria provided fire support for the Marine landings at Guadalcanal on 7 August 1942, and remained on station to guard the vulnerable transports offloading supplies. In the early morning hours of 9 August, a Japanese surface fleet slipped into the channel and caught the Allied warships completely by surprise. Astoria roused her crew to battle stations and entered the fray at approximately 0150 hours. The ship fought bravely, but the effects of surprise and superior Japanese night tactics proved too much to overcome. Four Allied cruisers were soon flaming wrecks, and the Japanese withdrew at 0225.

Gunfire damage report for USS Astoria, 1942.

Damage control crews tried valiantly to save the damaged Astoria and managed to keep her afloat for several hours. The cumulative effect of at least 65 hits, numerous fires, and personnel casualties gradually overwhelmed their efforts. Astoria listed and settled by the stern, finally sinking at 1216 hours on 9 August. In all, 219 of her crew perished in the battle of Savo Island.

Sergeant Major Hord was lost in the sinking; the exact details of his death are not known. He was reported missing after the battle and ultimately declared dead on 10 August 1943.

Burial Information or Disposition

Remains lost at sea; ship considered to be final resing place.

Memorials

Next Of Kin Address

Address of mother, Mrs. Mary Hord.
Joplin married Rhea (Spangle) McManus in 1929; by 1940 their household included
step-children Weir, Marguerite, and Maretta McManus, and brother-in-law Weir Spangle.

Location Of Loss

The Astoria sank in Iron Bottom Sound at 1216, 9 August 1942.

Related Profiles

USS Astoria Marines lost at Savo Island
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