Name: Clifford Cecil OWENSBY
Rank / Rating: F2-Fireman Second Class
Service #: 966 43 98
DOB: Nov 26, 1908
From: South Pittsburg, TN
Parents:
Went Aboard: May 07, 1944
Age When Ship Went Down: 36 years, 8 months, 4 days
Spouse: Sallie Avyleen Layne Owensby Allison
Children: Jack Carey Owensby, Thomas Ronald Owensby
Grandchildren: Clifford, Gwendolyn, Kim, Kevin, Keith and Kennon
Bio Submitted By: Gwen Owensby (Granddaughter)
Date Posted:

F2C Clifford Cecil Owensby was born November 26, 1908 in Stevenson, Alabama and joined the Naval Reserve in Chattanooga, Tennessee on February 26, 1944. He completed basic training at Great Lakes, IL as an AS (Apprentice seaman). Clifford reported aboard USS Indianapolis CA-35, on May 7, 1944. He advanced through his rate with a final rating of F2c (Fireman second class).

During his naval career, Clifford participated in several battles including: Okinawa, Iwo Jima, Ryukyu, Saipan, Guam and Tinian Islands, Marianas and Palau Islands and air strikes against Tokyo. During his service to our great country, Clifford was awarded the Asiatic-Pacific Area and American Area Campaign Service Ribbons and for the giving of his own life, Clifford was awarded the Purple Heart. Clifford and his wife, Sallie Avyleen Layne Owensby Allison, had two wonderful sons: Jack Carey Owensby and Thomas Ronald Owensby, (See Photo Left) two beautiful daughter-in-laws, Sue Ann Owensby and Claudia Dean Owensby, six of the finest grandchildren around, Clifford, Gwendolyn, Kim, Kevin, Keith and Kennon and also numerous great-grandchildren. Clifford was listed as "Missing In Action" and later reported "Lost At Sea" when the USS Indianapolis was sunk July 30, 1945. Clifford is "Still At Sea." Clifford's granddaughter Gwen Owensby joined the Navy to serve her grandfather’s remaining duty as that was cut short after he was killed on the Indianapolis. (photo below.) Four other men from Marion County, TN were killed on board Indianapolis: Andrew Jackson Holloway, S2 Ralph Harris Holloway, S2 Thomas Hardin Jordan, S2 Aulton Newell Phillips