Detroit resident John A. Lagrou entered active service on August 23, 1942. He graduated from flight school on May 26, 1943 and was commissioned as a Navy/Marine officer.
Lt. Lagrou’s Story
Detroit resident John A. Lagrou entered active service on August 23, 1942. He joined with a group of 31 fellow University of Detroit graduates and undergraduates that called themselves the “Titan Squadron”. He attended the State University of Iowa’s Navy physical training program and later transferred to the Naval Reserve Station in Corpus Christi Texas for 6 months of flight training. He graduated from flight school on May 26, 1943 and was commissioned as a Navy/Marine officer. He then transferred to the Navy Air Station in Fort Lauderdale Florida for training as a marine torpedo bomber pilot.
Sub Hunting
He was promoted to 1st Lieutenant on November 30, 1943 and after his pilot training he was moved to the US bases in the New Hebrides Islands. A few months later he moved to the front as a member of Marine Torpedo Squadron “232”, Marine aircraft group 45, 4th Marine aircraft wing. He was a pilot of a Grumman Avenger TBM 1-C. He flew many missions and logged many hours searching for enemy ships and submarines in the Pacific.
Lost to the Sea
Unfortunately, on November 21, 1944, Lt. Lagrou was killed in action at 24 years of age during anti-submarine operations in the Caroline Islands area. One of his three man crew survived the the event but was unable to remember any details regarding what had happened. The area was searched extensively but his body was lost at sea and was never recovered.
Our museum would like to thank John’s younger brother Paul Lagrou for allowing us to add this fine collection to our museum. It is a fitting tribute to a brave young man who gave everything in the battle for our freedom.
