Early Life and Education
LeRoy Armstrong was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam (S. E.) Armstrong of Seneca, Kansas. A graduate of Horton High School in 1936, he went on to attend Emporia State Teachers College. Driven by a strong interest in aviation, LeRoy pursued flight training and took his first lessons at the Fairfax Airport in Kansas City.
Naval Flight Training and Commission
In July 1940, LeRoy reported to the Naval Air Station at Pensacola, Florida, to begin official flight training with the U.S. Naval Air Corps. His departure from Seneca was marked by farewell celebrations and heartfelt support from friends and family. By February 1941, he had earned his wings and commission as an Ensign and was selected to serve as a flight instructor—an honor granted to only a few top graduates. He trained naval aviators in Pensacola, Miami, and Corpus Christi, logging over 250 flight hours during this period.
Promotion and Leadership Roles
LeRoy quickly rose through the ranks and assumed the role of a check pilot at Corpus Christi, responsible for evaluating cadets before their first solo flights. In 1942, he was promoted to lieutenant junior grade and then to lieutenant senior grade, reflecting his excellence in leadership, instruction, and flying proficiency. He also ferried training aircraft from production facilities in Wichita to naval air stations.
Marriage and Family
On January 9, 1942, LeRoy married Gladys Wempe of Seneca in a small ceremony in Sarita, Texas. The couple made their home in Corpus Christi, where LeRoy continued serving as an instructor at Rodd Field. Their first child, James Douglas Armstrong, was born on July 20, 1943, in Sabetha, Kansas, shortly after LeRoy left for overseas duty.
Overseas Deployment and Disappearance
Following years of service stateside, LeRoy was assigned to an aircraft carrier operating in the Pacific. On August 20, 1943, while piloting a torpedo bomber as part of a formation of eight planes, he disappeared during a night training flight between islands. Six planes reached their destination, and one crew bailed out and was rescued. LeRoy’s plane—the eighth—was never found, despite extensive search efforts. The night was stormy, and all planes were flying by instruments.
Declared Missing and Later Presumed Dead
Initial telegrams reported Lieutenant Armstrong as missing in action, and his wife and family clung to hope. Over a year later, in October 1944, the Bureau of Naval Personnel officially declared him legally deceased. He had served his country with distinction for nearly four years, much of that time training other pilots before deploying to active duty in the Pacific.
Legacy
Lieutenant LeRoy Armstrong is remembered as a skilled aviator, devoted husband, and proud father. His leadership and sacrifice left an indelible mark on his community and family. His son, James Douglas, born just two days after his final departure from Kansas, was raised in the loving care of his mother and grandparents. LeRoy’s memory endures as one of Seneca’s honored sons, lost in service during the Second World War.
SOURCES
Courier Tribune
1 Jul 1940
page 2
Leroy Armstrong, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Armstrong, Seneca, preparing to e a navy flier. Has had his first training at Fairfax airport, Kansas City. Soon to be called to the naval air base at Pensacola, Florida to report.
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Courier Tribune
8 Jul 1940
page 3
Local News
LeRoy Armstrong, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Armstrong, Seneca, goes to Kansas City, July 12, and thereafter will report July 15th to Pensacola, Fla., for air training.
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Courier Tribune
15 Jul 1940
page 3
Local News
LeRoy Armstrong left early Friday morning for Kansas City and from there will go to Pensacola, Fla., to complete his airplane training. A group of his friends escorted him to the depot, wished him farewell and sang “Auld Lang Syne.” Earlier in the week a farewell party was given for LeRoy at the Lakeshore Inn. The young people danced and took moonlight boat rides LeRoy was presented with a tooled leather billfold as a farewell token.
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Courier Tribune
2 Jan 1941
page 3
Names in the News
LeRoy Armstrong, who is in the Naval Air Corp stationed at Pensacola, Florida, was home to visit his parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Armstrong and family from Saturday until Monday. Archie, who is in college at Manhattan, was also home over the week-end. Both boys left Monday afternoon for their respective places. LeRoy likes the Air Corps fine and expects to be transferred to Miami or Jacksonville, Fla., in the near future. He will receive a commission before that time.
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Courier Tribune
23 Jan 1941
page 3
Local News
LeRoy Armstrong, Naval Air Corps, was transferred to Miami, Florida, last week. His new address is L. F. Armstrong, Cadet Quarters, N.A.S., Miami, Fla.
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Courier Tribune
20 Feb 1941
page 2
LeRoy Armstrong A Flight Instructor
One of Seneca’s young men will soon be an instructor in flight training with the naval air reserve station at Pensacola, Florida. He is LeRoy Armstrong, son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Armstrong of Seneca, home now form Florida on a two-week leave.
LeRoy began his training a year ago Feb. 15. This Feb. 15 he graduated, has his commission as an ensign and when he returns his duties will be those of an instructor. He has 250 hours of flying time, 100 hours of that gained in the last month, when the air base ha men flying nearly all the time weather was fit. Training is being pushed, Ensign Armstrong observed. He likes flying, was pleased to be picked as instructor, a lot of which falls to a few from each class.
Officially there is little comment about the war at the air base. Unofficially, men comment just the same as they do here. One guess is that conditions will be very tense come spring.
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Courier Tribune
3 Mar 1941
page 5
Wanted — One or two passengers for Pensacola, Florida. Leaving early Wednesday morning — See Leroy Armstrong, Seneca phone 200.
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Courier Tribune
22 May 1941
page 4
Local News
Ensign LeRoy Armstrong, who has been visiting his parents, MR. and Mrs. S. E. Armstrong, and particularly his mother, in the Sabetha hospital, has returned to air base at Corpus Christi, Texas.
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Courier tribune
17 Jul 1941
page 2
Has Important Post in Naval Flying
LeRoy Armstrong, Seneca’s new pilot of the U.S. Naval service Corpus Christi, Texas, is now an [?] check pilot. One of Armstrong’s duties is to check fledgling flyers who are about to solo.
Lieut. Armstrong is in Wichita today. sent there with a group of pilots to ferry training planes from a Wichita factory to Corpus. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Armstrong, left here yesterday afternoon so they can visit with their son today.
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Courier Tribune
19 Jan 1942
page 4
A very pretty wedding was solemnized Friday morning, Jan. 9 in the little chapel in the village of Sarita, Texas, when Miss Gladys Wempe daughter of Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Wempe of Seneca, became the bride of Ensign LeRoy Armstrong, son of Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Armstrong, Seneca. The Rev. Father Anthony Clampa, a friend of the bridegroom, read the marriage service at 10 o’clock. The attendants were Miss Odelia Wempe, Omaha, sister of the bride and ensign MacDonald, friend of the bridegroom. Ensign Stanley Aughengaugh presided at the organ. After the ceremony, a wedding dinner was served by Mr. and Mrs. Sparks, LeRoy’s friends in Corpus Christi. The bride looked lovely n a white satin gown with court train, fingertip blush veil. Her bouquet was of pink and white carnations. The bridesmaid wore gold organza over satin with matching accessories. The bouquet was of gardenias and rosebuds. The bridegroom and his attendants wore dress uniforms. The bride is a graduate of Sts. Peter and Paul School in the class of 1939 and has since been at home with her parents. She has been a member of the church choir and has participated in the social activities of the parish. The wedding had been planned to take place at Sts. Peter and Paul church but when furloughs were canceled, later plans were made. Ensign Armstrong is a graduate of Horton high school class of 1936, attended teachers College at Emporia and took aviation training in Kansas City before going to Pensacola, Fla., where he received his wind and commission in the U.S. Naval Air Corps. He is an instructor at Rodd Field, Corpus Christi. Ensign and Mrs. Armstrong will reside at 2849 Santa Fe, Corpus Christi.
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Courier Tribune
23 Jul 1942
page 1
Archie Armstrong article
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Courier Tribune
10 Sep 1942
page 3
Lieut. and Mrs. LeRoy Armstrong returned to Corpus Christi, Texas yesterday. Lieut. Armstrong is an instructor in the naval air corps. Archie Armstrong took his brother and wife to Corpus Christi as his vacation. He expects to be called into navy duty.
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Courier Tribune
10 Sep 1942
page 2
News of Men in Service
Ensign LeRoy Armstrong and his mother, Mrs. S. E. Armstrong took Miss Rosemary Armstrong to Mt. St. Scholastica’s College in Atchison Labor Day. they visited an uncle of Ensign Armstrong in Atchison and his grandmother in Horton.
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Courier Tribune
14 Dec 1942
page 3
Lt. and Mrs. LeRoy Armstrong were week-end guests of Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Armstrong and MR. and Mrs. C. H. Wempe. They re enroute to a new duty station on the East coast. Prior to detachment from Corpus Christi, Texas, Lt. Armstrong was advanced to senior grade, lieutenant. Archie Armstrong in naval training, Manhattan, Miss Ruthann Armstrong, student nurse, St. Joseph hospital, Kansas City, and Miss Rosemary Armstrong, Mt. St. Scholastica college, Atchison, were home for a week-end visit with their parents and especially to see their brother Lt. Armstrong and his wife.
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Courier Tribune
24 Jun 1943
page 3
Names in the News
Lt. LeRoy Armstrong left Tuesday on his return to an eastern Naval Base after spending a week leave with his wife at the home of her parents and with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Armstrong. Miss Ruth Ann Armstrong returned to Kansas City Tuesday to resume her nurse training course at St. Joseph’s hospital. Miss Rosemary Armstrong employed in Topeka, was home over the week-end to visit with her parents and her brother, Liuet. Armstrong.
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Courier Tribune
15 Jul 1943
page 3
Names in the News
Lt. Leroy Armstrong arrived home this week from the east coast and will remain until Sunday with his wife at the C. H. Wempe home and with his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Sam Armstrong. Mr. and Mrs. Armstrong met their son in Kansas City Tuesday evening. Lt. Armstrong’s ship was delayed in sailing and he was given a few days leave.
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Courier Tribune
20 Jul 1943
page 3
Local News
Lt. LeRoy Armstrong of the air corps called by telephone and learned of the birth of his son, James Douglas, at the Sabetha hospital. Lt. Armstrong was home a few days before the baby’s birth.
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Courier Tribune
22 July 1943
page 3
Names in the news
A son weighing eight pounds and three and on-half ounces was born Tuesday afternoon at St. Anthony Hospital, Sabetha, to Mrs. Leroy Armstrong. The baby will be called James Douglas. The baby’s father, Lt. Leroy Armstrong, is serving his country in the Naval Air Corps, assigned to an aircraft carrier. He was here last week. Mrs. Armstrong was Miss Gladys Wempe before her marriage and has been staying with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Wempe, east of Seneca, MR. and Mrs. Sam Armstrong are the paternal grandparents. Miss Thelma Wempe, registered nurse of Kansas City , is caring for her sister at the hospital.
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Courier Tribune
30 Aug 1943
page 1
Naval Flier Is Missing
Since August the 20th
Lieut. Armstrong May Have Been in Pacific Area or China
Another abrupt shock of the war came to Seneca Thursday evening, a message that Senior Lieutenant LeRoy Armstrong, U.S. Naval flier, has been missing since August 20.
Lieutenant Armstrong is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Sam Armstrong of Seneca. HE was hereon a furlough the middle of July , having to leave here on the 18th. Two days later his son was born. Mrs. Armstrong was Miss Gladys Wempe before her marriage and she and the little boy, James Douglas, are making their home with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Wempe.
Lieut. Armstrong was assigned to an airplane carrier. His ship is believed to have been sent to the southwest Pacific. However, he may have been sent to china. A gift he sent his wife bore the inscription, “made in China,” and may have been intended to convey his location.
The telegram received here bore the usual request that the name of the missing flier’s ship or station note be divulged.
LeRoy enlisted in the navy four years ago, and has been stations much of the time at Corpus Christi and Pensacola, part of the time as an instructor. His rank of senior lieutenant is a high one in the navy. It is believed his recent assignment was the operation of a torpedo-carrying plane.
Lieut. Armstrong’s mother recently had a serious operation and is at St. Joseph’s hospital, Kansas City. To tell her now of the report her son is missing might be too grave a shock and the family is waiting until she is stronger.
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Sabetha Herald
29 Sep 1943
page 4
LT. Armstrong Still Missing
Mrs. Leroy Armstrong has received a letter from Lt. Commander Robert Isley, commander of the aircraft carrier on which her husband, Lt. Leroy Armstrong, was assigned. Commander Isley gave Mrs. Armstrong more details of the flight in which Lt. Armstrong was engaged August 20, at which time he was reported missing. Leroy, pilot of a plane in an eight-plane formation, was on routine flight between two islands. His plane was leading the second group. The ships, called torpedo planes, have a crew of three men, the pilot, gunner and radio man. The might in question was stormy and six of the planes reached their objective, the crew of the seventh plane bailed out, and was found on another island. NO trace was found of the eighth plane after several days search. All planes were flying by instruments. No other word has been receive by Mrs. Armstrong or her husband’s parents, Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Armstrong.
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Courier Tribune
9 Oct 1944
page 1
A Navy Pilot Is Declared Legally Dead
By Naval Personnel
Ensign Leroy Armstrong Missing Since August 1943 in the Pacific
Mrs. Leroy Armstrong has received notification from the Bureau of Naval Personnel, at Washington, D.C., that her husband is declared legally dead by the government. This is the accepted procedure by military authorities after a service man has been missing in action a year. Ensign Armstrong has been missing since August 20, 1943.
Leroy Armstrong, 25, second son of Mr. and Mrs. S. E. Armstrong, Seneca, ensign in the U.S. Navy, and pilot of a torpedo plane in the Pacific, has been missing in action more than 3 months, after a night training flight, August 20, of last year. The flight was conducted in the vicinity of the Hawaian Islands and the night in question was a stormy one. Ensign Armstrong’s ship did not return to the carrier and no trace was ever found of the missing plane or the for man crew. A wide search made in the area where the plane was thought to have gone down, was unsuccessful. It is the policy of the U.S. Military authorities to declare a service man dead after he has been missing a year and that is what has happened in the case of Ensign Armstrong.
Leroy had been in the service since January 28, 1949; having enlisted in Kansas City. He was attending college at Emporia at that time. The Seneca man received his commission in February 1941, at Pensacola, Fla., and for more than two years was instructor in Naval Flight Schools. He was first assigned to Corpus Christi, Texas, and later near Providence, Rhode Island. He had been out of the states a little less than a month when reported missing.
Mrs. Leroy Armstrong is employed mornings in the office Dr. C. M. Barnes and makes her home with her parents, Mr. and Mrs. C. H. Wempe, east of Seneca. Her son, J. Douglas Armstrong, born July 20, 1943, is cared for by his grandmother, while she is working.
Mr. and Mrs. Se. E. Armstrong have an older son, Archie, ensign in the U.S. Navy and pilot of [?]trol Bomber. Ensign Armstrong recently spent a leave with his parents, reporting at San Diego, Calif., last weekend for assignment.
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Courier Tribune
12 Oct 1944
page 1
Leroy Armstrong was a Lieutenant in Navy
Leroy Armstrong, recently reported legally dead by the Naval bureau of Personnel, Washington, was a lieutenant senior grade in the U.S. Navy Air Corps, instead of ensign as stated in Monday’s Courier-Tribune. His older brother, Archie Armstrong, is an ensign in the Naval Air Corps.