Biography

Grover Cleveland Hannever was born in Conimicut, Rhode Island on 26 April 1920. He was born to Grover and Lillian Hannever. He was a 1939 graduate of Warwick Veterans Memorial High School, Warwick, Rhode Island. Grover entered Rhode Island State College (RISC) in September 1939 with the class of 1943 majoring in Mechanical Engineering. He was a member of Delta Alpha Psi Fraternity and participated in the Army ROTC program for two years.

Grover enlisted in the U.S. Navy Reserve on 13 September 1941. He attended air cadet training at Floyd Field, New York, aviation training at the Naval Air Station, Pensacola, Florida and advanced aviation training at Corpus Christi Naval Air Station, Texas. He was commissioned an Ensign, U.S. Navy Reserve upon completion of his aviation training. After serving on a number of U.S. Navy ships, he was assigned to the U.S. Navy Bomber Patrol Squadron, VP-107, U.S. Navy Air Facility, Natal, Brazil.

On 12 August 1943, Lt.j.g. Grover C. Hannever, U.S. Navy Reserve was cited for bravery as the navigator of a U.S. Navy PB4Y-1 aircraft “Spirit of 83” during an antisubmarine mission off the coast of Brazil and awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, the Purple Heart and the Air Medal (Posthumously).

                                                                              Distinguished Flying Cross Citation

The President of the United States of America takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Flying Cross (Posthumously) to Grover Cleveland Hannever (0-122143) Lieutenant (jg), U.S. Navy Reserve, for extraordinary heroism in operations against the enemy while serving on a U.S. Navy PB4Y-1 aircraft (“Spirit of 83”), engaged antisubmarine warfare from the 3rd of August until the 12th of August 1943,…

after attacking one U-boat another surfaced and together they shot down the Spirit of 83 as it continued it’s attack on the German submarines. Lt.j.g. was part of a ten man crew who went missing in action when the plane was shot down. His bravery and loyal devotion to duty contributed greatly to the success of our forces during World War II and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.

Lieutenant Junior Grade Grover Cleveland Hannever, U.S. Navy, gallantly gave his life for his country; and his name is listed on the Tablets of the Missing at the East Coast Memorial in New York. He is another son of Rhode Island and America who answered the call to duty and gave his life during World War II. He is a heroic member of the “Greatest Generation.”