Ernest George Rouse Jr.
Rank: Ensign
Branch: U.S. Navy
Entered the service from: New Jersey
Died:
Introduction
Ernest George Rouse Jr.
Ensign Ernest George Rouse Jr. was born in Camden NJ to Ernest George and Augusta Weber Rouse on August 12, 1924. The couple lived at 1260 Atlantic Avenue, the home of Mrs. Rouse’s parents, Charles and Augusta Weber. In 1930 the elder Rouse worked as an electrician’s helper at a radio factory, while Mr. Weber, then 65, was still working as a cigar maker.
An only child, Ernest Rouse graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School on Federal Street in Camden in 1941. While at school he was the class treasurer, a member of the track team, and he received a trophy as the outstanding member of the 1941 football team.
He continued in the sport with the local Camden Wildcats in the 1942 football season, while working for the Penn Mutual Insurance Company.
Ernest Rouse signed up for the Navy V-5 pilot training program, and received his wings and his commission as an Ensign on December 12, 1944 while stationed at Pensacola Naval Air Station in Pensacola FL. He was later stationed at the Naval Air Station in Alameda CA, near Oakland.
While on a test flight of a Navy fighter plane, Ensign Ernest George Rouse Jr. was killed in a crash on September 24, 1945 in Alameda County CA. He had recently written home that he had signed separation papers in order to leave the service. His death was reported in the September 26, 1945 evening edition of the Camden Courier-Post. His funeral was held in the Camden area on October 4, 1945. Ernest Rouse was survived by his mother and father, who remained in the Camden area until they both passed away in 1990.
Woodrow Wilson High School
Woodrow Wilson High School, Federal Street, Camden NJ
Camden Navy Pilot Loses Life in Crash
Camden Courier-Post —
Ensign Ernest G. Rouse Jr. Had Signed Papers for Release From Service
Last Saturday, Mr. and Mrs. Ernest G. Rouse, 1260 Atlantic avenue, received a letter from their son, a Navy fighter plane pilot stationed at Alameda, Calif.
On Monday, a Navy message informed them that Ensign Ernest G. Rouse, Jr., had died that day of injuries sustained in a plane crash while on a test flight.
In the letter to his parents Ensign Rouse stated he had signed all papers necessary for his release from the service and would shortly be on his way home. He died in the U. S. Naval hospital at Oakland, Calif.
Ensign Rouse was graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in June, 1942. He was treasurer of his class, a member of the track team and received the school trophy as the outstanding player on the 1941 football team.
After his graduation, he was employed by the Penn Mutual Life Insurance Co., and continued his athletic career as a member of the Cramer Hill Wildcats football team during the 1942 season.
The young athlete then signed up with the Navy V-5 pilot training program and received his wings at Pensacola, Fla., on Dec. 12, 1944. He was born in Camden and was an only child.
Naval Air Station Alameda
“Control Tower” — Building 19, Naval Air Station Alameda, CA
On November 1, 1940, Naval Air Station Alameda was commissioned.
In 1967, following the death of Fleet Admiral Chester W. Nimitz, the Navy named the airfield at NAS Alameda “Nimitz Field” in his honor.