Happy He Lived and Brave Did He Die

While continuing to revisit some photos taken at Bethany Cemetery in Charleston, South Carolina, I came across the stone for John H. Gotjen, Jr. (1904-1926). I had not posted about him before because I could not fully read his entire epitaph. I only recently had decided to go ahead and post what I knew, but before I could do so a bit of serendipity happened.

I posted John Gotjen's information on FindAGrave back in 2008, and I recently received additional information from fellow contributor (and Naval aviator researcher) Mike Weeks. He was able to fill in where I had only blanks, and he added a death notice to boot!

In Loving Memory of
Ensign John H. Gotjen Jr. U.S.N.
Feb 9, 1904 - Oct 30, 1928
Mortally Wounded On Old Corry Field
Pensacola, Florida

Under The Wide And Starry Sky
Happy He Lived And Brave Did He Die
Home Is The Sailor Home From The Sea
Home Where He Ever Loved To Be

The death notice Mr. Weeks submitted was from The Bee of Danville, Virginia -- Wednesday, 31 October 1928, pg. 6:

"Killed by Propeller

Washington. Oct. 31 - (INS) - Ensign John Herman (sic) Gotjen, Jr. of Charleston, S.C. was killed yesterday at the Pensacola Naval Air Station when he accidently walked into a whirling propeller, the navy department was advised today."

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