Letter from the author of
The Last of the Tin Can Sailors
School report by nephew Clay Holquist
Personal stories from Bill's
nieces and nephews
IN COMMEMORATION OF LT. BILL SANDERS, LT JG USN (KIA), USS HOEL (DD-533)
Bill Sanders was born in Pittsburgh, PA to Samuel E. and Katherine R. Sanders. Bill was a career naval gunnery officer, a loving husband, a beloved son, brother, uncle and the youngest of seven children.
Bill Sanders was a modest man, who bravely gave his life for his country, going down with his ship, the USS Hoel in the largest battle of the Pacific of WWII, the Battle of the Leyte Gulf - Battle off Samar, October 25, 1944.
One of Bill's surviving shipmates, Willard Frenn, recounted that as he ran to find a lifeboat, he looked up and saw gunnery officer Lt. Bill Sanders who was still alive, tangled up in rigging and suffering from mortal wounds. Frenn asked if he could help him and Lt. Sanders replied, "No, the word was to abandon ship." (paraphrased from James D. Hornfischer’s book, The Last Stand of the Tin Can Sailors: The extraordinary World War II Story of the U.S. Navy’s Finest Hour)
Bill's nieces and nephews grew up seeing his official Navy portrait of their beloved Uncle Bill prominently displayed in the homes of family members. Our memories are a tribute to his bravery and kind heart. What is shared here demonstrates that his spirit endures.
THE MONUMENT: The USS Hoel, USS Johnston, and USS Samuel B. Roberts monument is a large granite memorial dedicated in 1995 to the men who died on those ships in the October 1944 Battle of Leyte Gulf (Philippines). The memorial is located in the east center section of the Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, Point Loma, California.
ABOUT THE SHIP: USS Hoel (DD-533) was a World War II-era Fletcher-class destroyer in the service of the United States Navy, named after Lieutenant Commander William R. Hoel. Under the command of Commander Leon S. Kintberger. The USS Hoel was sunk by enemy gunfire on 25 October, 1944. Only 86 of Hoel's crew survived while 253 officers and men died with their ship.