Name: Elmer John SPOMER
Rank / Rating: SF2-Shipfitter Second Class
Service #: 376 76 38
DOB: Mar 08, 1925
From: Fresno, CA
Parents: George Spomer (Father) Mrs. J.H. Thomas (Mother)
Went Aboard: Nov 23, 1942
Age When Ship Went Down: 20 years, 4 months, 22 days
Spouse: Florance Spomer
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Carl Fahnestock (Admin) and Kathleen Spomer Hollander (Niece)
Date Posted:

Shipfitter Second Class Elmer John Spomer was born on March 8, 1925 in Fresno, California. He was survived by his two parents: Mr. George Spomer of Richmond and Mrs. J. H. Thomas of San Jose. He was also survived by two brothers: Walter Spomer in Richmond and Robert Spomer who was an Aviation Machinist’s Mate Second Class who was serving in the Philippines area. Elmer had attended St. John’s and the Roeding Elementary Schools and was a student in the Central Union High School when he enlisted in the United States Navy in March 1942. He was 17 years of age so his parents signed for him to join the Navy. Elmer had spent over three years aboard USS Indianapolis CA-35. He had accrued many days of leave, so while the ship was in California for repairs (caused by the March 31, 1945 Okinawa Kamikaze Attack), he took a 60 day leave beginning on May 7th. On May 14th, he married Miss Florence Bartlett of Fresno. He had attended grammar school and the Central Union High School with her. He and Florence were married in the home of his brother, Walter Spomer, in Richmond. Submitted Note from Elmer's Niece, daughter of Elmer's brother, Walter: I am his niece, his brother Walter's daughter. I never met Uncle Elmer, but I remember my dad telling me about how Uncle Elmer married his childhood sweetheart while on leave. They were able to have almost 4 months together before Uncle Elmer returned to USS Indianapolis in July and ultimately lost his life when the ship was torpedoed. I've attached a picture of the brothers at my dad's house the day of the wedding. It was the last picture of Uncle Elmer that we have. On July 16th, Spomer went to sea again. He wrote to her and she received two letters from him between the 16th and 30th of July. Subsequent to July 30th, his widow, Florence received a personal letter from Captain Charles B. McVay which advised her of the sinking of Indianapolis and the Missing In Action status of her husband. (1) (1) The Fresno Bee Fresno, California, Thursday, October 4, 1945