Navy Chief Petty Officer (RET) Allen G. Vrooman formally of San Diego and Col.Springs passed away at his residence in Monroe La on Nov. 12. Visitation will be Monday, November 20, 2:00 PM until 4:00 PM at Kilpatrick Funeral Home Monroe LA. Graveside services with full military honors will be held Nov 21, 1 pm at The Central Louisiana Veterans Cemetery, Ft.Polk, LA.Chief Vrooman came from a family with strong military roots. His grandfather was a union civil war major who died in the battle of Reseca, GA.; his great grandfather left school to fight in The War of 1812. It was not surprising that Allen enlisted in the Navy shortly after his 17th birthday. Assigned to the USS Hornet, he was an aviation mechanic on the flight deck where Doolittle Raiders launched to bomb Tokyo. Chief Vrooman took part in the Battles of Midway, Guadalcanal, and Santa Cruz. He was the recipient of many awards and citations including the Presidential Unit Citation for extraordinary heroism during the Battle of Midway and an additional citation for the Doolittle Raid. He was on board the Hornet when it was torpedoed and dive bombed by the Japanese. Chief Vrooman was an Amateur Radio Operator. N0CMW has been called for the last time. He had a strong sense of patriotism and was devoted to flag and country. When Chief Vrooman was in his 80, he would carry the flag in every Veterans Day parade despite the freezing Colorado weather. He had many interests including coins, model planes/ships, and creating new things from old items. He was Catholic by faith and was a life member of the VFW where he had served in many leadership capacities including commander. He was also a member of the American Legion and the Fleet Reserve.Chief Vrooman is survived by one daughter Marlene(Glenn) of Pineville LA; One son, Tom Vrooman of Imperial Bch CA; Four grandchildren Glenn A Kramel(Leslie), Rick Kramel(Nanette)Joy Delgallego(Jay), Tommy Vrooman; Eight great grand children; numerous nieces and nephews; and his devoted and beloved companion, Frances Moore. He is preceded in death by a brother Robbins, his parents, his first wife Frances, and his second wife Marie. In lieu of flowers memorials may be made to the Chenault Aviation and Military Museum 701 Kansas Lane Monroe LA 71203 Monroe LA 71203. A special thank you to Brookshire for the Honor flight my father recently took to Washington DC. My father said that it was the trip of his lifetime! Anchors Aweigh Sailor!
