Name: Howard Bruce FREEZE
Rank / Rating: LT. (jg)-Lieutenant (junior grade)
Service #: 202132
DOB: Apr 02, 1916
From: Salt Lake City, UT
Parents: Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Freeze
Went Aboard: Mar 25, 1943
Age When Ship Went Down: 29 years, 3 months, 28 days
Spouse: Phyllis Florence Johnson Freeze
Children: Janice Freeze
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Marilyn Northcutt Henry
Date Posted:

Lt.(j.g) Howard Bruce Freeze was born in Salt Lake City, UT, April 2, 1916, to Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Freeze of Murray, UT. He had two sisters and one brother - Mrs. Mary Neff, Dorthy Jean Freeze and Joseph C. Freeze. He graduated from Murray high school in May, 1934, and one month later he joined the US Navy. He married Phyllis Johnson on March 5, 1938. They had one daughter, Janice.

Howard served his country for almost eleven years. He was commissioned Ensign on May 15, 1943 and advancing to the rank of LT(jg). He first went aboard USS Indianapolis CA-35, on March 25, 1943. He saw action in nine of the ten engagements and occupations in which the ship took part in the Pacific Theater. Indianapolis was torpedoed by Japanese submarine I-58 on July 30, 1945. Freeze managed to abandon ship and survived in the water until the following day when he succumbed to his injuries. He was buried at sea by his shipmates. He was only 29 years old. He was survived by his wife and daughter, his parents, three siblings and his grandmother Mrs. Joseph Cahoon of Murray, UT. A memorial service was held by the family on August 12, 1945 at the Latter Day Saints Parkview ward, Long Beach, CA