Biography
Year at ISU: 1942 - Dy. H.
Lieutenant Junior Grade James Franklin "Frank" Scooby was born October 19, 1919 to Chester R. Schoby and Myrtle Brown. He also had a grandmother Mrs. R. E. Brown.
James grew up in Bode, Iowa. He attended Iowa State College for three years, and was a member of Alpha Gamma Rhos before entering the Navy Air Corps.
In September 1943, he and Lieutenant P. Williams of Snoqualmie, Washington and Lieutenant Commander Chalres Brew sank one of four Nazi subs. He died when they crashed into the Atlantic Ocean while attempting a carrier landing on January 10, 1944. He was serving with Squadron VC-12 which patroled for submarines. He received his wings and commission at Corpus Christi, Texas, on July 12, 1942. He was 24 years, two months, and 23 days old when he died.
A memorial service was held at the First Methodist Church, Algona, Iowa, on Sunday, March 5, 1944 at 3pm - American Legion, Veterans of Foreign Wars, and Service Women of America conducted military rites.
He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal in January 1944.