CORPORAL FRANCIS WALTER HOYT; U.S. ARMY AIR FORCE

February 28, 1918 (Norwalk, CT) – November 24, 1942; 24 years old
Unmarried
Last local address 13 Couch Street, South Norwalk
Enlisted December 2, 1940
Service number: 11019905
Unit: 27th Bomber Group (Light), 91st Bomber Squadron

Born to Charles D. (1892-1961) and Medea I. Harris Hoyt (1896-?). One brother Edison “Sonny” I. (1927-2002).

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1930 census has the first name, Francis. 1940 census has the first name, Frank. His draft card says, Frank.

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From The Norwalk Hour July 19, 1943

Mr. and Mrs. C. Walter Hoyt of 30 Webster Street, received word last night from the War Department that their son, Corporal Francis Walter Hoyt, a Japanese prisoner, is dead. Corporal Hoyt is the third Japanese prisoner from the Norwalk area reported in the past few weeks by the War Department, as dead. Corporal Hoyt had been listed as missing since the capture of the Philippines by the Japs. On March 25, this year, however, his family received word that he was a prisoner. Corporal Hoyt was 25 years old on March 26th He was a graduate of Norwalk High School and enlisted in the U.S. Air Corps on December 1, 1940. He was stationed at the Air Base in Savannah, Georgia. He was home on furlough in July 1941, but a short time later he went to the Philippines with a Bombardment Squadron. The last letter from Corporal Hoyt was from the Pacific and it was dated December 4, 1941. Besides his parents, Corporal Hoyt has a younger brother “Sonny.”

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From The Norwalk Hour February 2, 1943

Mr. and Mrs. Charles W. Hoyt of Webster Street are happy today for they have learned that their son, Private Francis Walter Hoyt of the U.S. Army, reported as missing for many months, is a prisoner of the Japs. Mr. and Mrs. Hoyt have received a telegram from the War Department that Francis was taken prisoner in the Philippines but is well.

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From Hartford Courant February 6, 1944

In honor of four Connecticut soldiers who died in Japanese prison camps, the State War Finance Committee announced Saturday that four days would be set aside next week during the Fourth War Loan and named for the men who sacrificed their lives. Monday, February 7, has been designated by John M. Hurley, executive manager of the State War Finance Committee, as Corporal Francis Hoyt Day in honor of Corporal Hoyt, 20 Webster Street, South Norwalk. Tuesday, February 8, will be Corporal Albert J. Lawrence Day in honor of Corporal Lawrence, Hunt Street, Rowayton. Wednesday, February 9, will be Private Kusti N. Gayda Day in honor of Private Gayda, 579 Center Street, Southport. Thursday, February 10, will be Private Samuel A. Russo Day in honor of Private Russo of New Canaan. These men gave their lives for their country,” Mr. Hurley said. It is only fitting that we recognize their sacrifice during the Fourth War Loan when we civilians can show the men and women in the service that we are behind them.” A telegram from the War Department to the State War Finance Committee also reported that four civilians from Connecticut were in Japanese internment camps. They are Colt Craven of Bridgewater, Frances Haughwout of Bethel, Christian Larsen of Southport, and Harold Rather of Old Greenwich.

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He became a POW of the Japanese Army in the “Fall of The Philippines” in May 1942. Francis died of amebic dysentery while a POW of the Japanese Army in the Philippines during the war.

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Corporal Hoyt is buried at Manila American Cemetery; 1634 McKinley Rd, Taguig, Metro Manila, Philippines; Plot L, Row 7, Grave 47. Photo provided by Maria Raquel M. Villamil, Cemetery Associate, Manila American Cemetery.

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