Name: Epifanio LOBATO Jr.
Rank / Rating: Y3-Yeoman Third Class
Service #: 882 54 46
DOB: Jan 26, 1916
From: Cabezon, New Mexico
Parents: Epifanio Lobato, Sr.
Went Aboard: Jan. 7, 1944
Age When Kamikaze Struck: 29 years, 2 months, 5 days
Spouse: Zita Dolores Gonzales Lobato
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Patricia Stephens - Admin
Date Posted:

Yeoman Third Class Lobato was born on January 26, 1916 in Cabezon, New Mexico. He joined the crew of USS Indianapolis on January 7, 1944. The first peacetime conscription (draft) in United States’ history was initiated on 16 Sep 1940 when President Franklin D Roosevelt signed the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940 (also known as the Burke-Wadsworth Act, Pub. L. 76-783, 54 Stat. 885). Draftees were selected by national lottery.

Epifanio Lobato, Jr. was married, 24 years of age, living in Nelson, Yarpai County, AZ. and working at the Grand Canyon Lime and Cement Company when he registered for the draft on 16 Oct 1940. His registration card notes that he was 5’ 7” tall and weighed 147 lbs. He had brown eyes, black hair and dark skin, all owing to his Hispanic heritage. It is most likely that Lobato was not selected in the early drafts due to his age and the fact that he was married. On 24 Aug 1943 (almost three years after registering for the draft) and at the age of 27, Lobato traveled to Phoenix, AZ where he enlisted in the US Navy. He completed his basic training at the San Diego Training Station. On 30 Nov 1943, he was present at the Receiving Station, San Pedro, CA and was assigned aboard USS Gemini. It is likely that this was a training assignment. On 7 January 1944, Lobato first came aboard INDY and his rate was Seaman 2/c. This initial boarding was very short-lived. That same day, he was transferred for a temporary duty assignment to ComCenPacFor (Commander Central Pacific Force). Assignment of men to temporary duties was quite common at this time. This temporary duty was completed in only 11 days, and he returned to INDY on 18 Jan 1944. The next day, 19 January, Lobato was transferred to ComServPac Yeoman School. This assignment would last for almost nine months. On 14 October 1944, he was transferred from the Commanding Officer, Enlisted Personnel ComServPac FA Com5thFlt back to USS Indianapolis. His new rate was shown as Y3/c (Yeoman Third Class) indicating that he had successfully completed his training. His service onboard INDY would yet again be short-lived. On 20 November 1944, he was transferred from INDY to the Receiving Station in San Francisco. On 30 November 1944, he left San Francisco aboard USS Hinsdale for “Receiving Station #128, Guam, for further transfer to ComServPac Com5thFleet for duty in the Flag Allowance.” This new assignment was indeed an honor for Yeoman 3/c Lobato. He most certainly would have been very happy and proud as he was now on his way to join other men of the Flag Allowance. (The Flag Allowance consisted of a group of sailors that traveled with and served on behalf of a Flag Officer. A Flag Officer as referenced in the United States Navy is entitled to fly a flag which signifies that he is a Commander of a Fleet.) Yeoman Lobato served several temporary Flag Allowance assignments before being assigned back to USS Indianapolis (CA-35) on 13 January 1945. His re-assignment was indeed prestigious as the INDY served as the Flagship for Admiral Raymond A. Spruance. On 31 March 1945, at Okinawa, a Japanese Kamikaze plane crashed into the main deck, aft, of INDY. The bomb aboard the plane plunged through the deck, traveled through the compartments below and exploded beneath the ship killing nine sailors. Yeoman Lobato was one of those casualties. His name appears on a Flag Allowance, Report of Changes dated 31 Mar 1945. It shows: “USNR, Missing, 3/31/45, Missing in Action since about 0700, 3/31/45. Believed to be dead.” Epifanio Lobato, Jr. was 29 years of age when he died. He was married to the former Zita Dolores Gonzales. They were married on 4 Jun 1938. On 4 September 1948, Mrs. Lobato completed a biographical questionnaire form which she mailed to the War Records Library in Santa Fe, NM. On the form, she left blank the informational section which was provided to record the names and dates of birth of their children. It is assumed that Mr. and Mrs. Lobato did not have children. On the form, she also shared that her husband’s Civilian Occupation was as a Storehelper for the Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railway. Epifanio Lobato’s body was recovered, and he was interred at Azmai Shima, Ryukuy Retto, Grave 42, Plot L, Row 3. On 28 March 1949, his body was disinterred from Azmai Shima. On 6 April 1949, his body was reinterred in Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery, San Diego, CA, Section H, Grave 226. His father Epifanio Lobato, Sr. received his son’s body. Click or tap here to learn more about the kamikaze attack and to access links to each of the nine individual bios of the kamikaze victims.