Ed “Big John” Laughton - Merchant Mariner WWII

Ed “Big John” Laughton - USMM WWII (October 13, 1921 - May 21, 2025)

Born October 13th, 1921, John Edward "Ed" Laughton was serving as 2nd Officer on the S/S Hobbs Victory when it was attacked by kamikaze aircraft and sunk on April 6, 1945 off of Okinawa. He ended up in a lifeboat saving several of his shipmates. Unfortunately, 11 of his crew lost their lives. John passed away peacefully in Hollister, California, on May 21, 2025, after a brief illness. He was 103 and a half years old.

John Laughton Obituary

John Edward "Ed" Laughton October 13, 1921 - May 21, 2025

John Edward Laughton-a beloved father, grandfather, great-grandfather, uncle, father-in-law, and friend-passed away peacefully in Hollister, California, on May 21, 2025, after a brief illness. He was 103 and a half years old.

Born in Redlands, California, on October 13, 1921, to John and Estella (Taylor) Laughton, Ed was the middle of three children. He often praised his mother's cooking and grew up in San Bernardino and Big Bear Lake. At just five years old, Ed's life changed during a family trip on the old San Juan Grade Road when a car accident led them to settle in Salinas after his father was offered a construction job. Many homes built by Ed's father still stand in the Maple Park neighborhood of Salinas.

While living in Salinas, the family resided on West Street, Willow Street, and Carmel Avenue. Ed attended Lincoln Elementary School and later Prunedale Elementary during the Great Depression, where he memorably recounted a story of a mischievous classmate named Billy. He graduated from Salinas High School in 1939-the oldest living graduate until his passing-and proudly mentioned it during a Memorial Day parade speech in Salinas on November 11, 2024. In high school, Ed was active in the Boy Scouts and Future Farmers of America, winning multiple ribbons for his cattle at the 1941 Monterey County Fair.

Ed attended Salinas Junior College (now Hartnell College), and in the fall of 1941, while boarding a bus on Central Avenue, he met the love of his life, Lorna Louise Kueber. Their story began with a simple request to sit beside her.

In January 1942, at age 20, Ed was drafted into service. His draft number-441-was the second drawn locally and was featured in the Salinas newspaper. With his friend John Frusetto, he took a train to San Francisco and joined the U.S. Merchant Marines, who played a vital but often underrecognized role during WWII. Only in 1988 were they formally acknowledged with veteran status.

After basic training on Treasure Island, Ed sailed on his first Liberty ship, the Francis Lewis, loaded with P-38 planes and 6,000 tons of ammunition. Over nine months, he traveled as far as Australia, celebrating his 21st birthday overseas. On his second voyage, he passed through the Panama Canal to Guantanamo Bay. After a short leave, he returned to California and proposed to Lorna.

In 1943, Ed earned his Third Mate's papers in Long Island, New York. He returned to marry Lorna on February 5, 1944, and though their time together was short before he redeployed, Ed went on to earn his Second Mate's license in San Francisco.

His wartime voyages took him across the Pacific. In 1944, while serving on the Jan P. Cowen, he visited Saipan, Tinian, and Guam. In 1945, he boarded the USS Hobbs Victory, carrying 6,000 tons of ammunition to Okinawa. On April 6, the ship was attacked by two kamikaze planes-one was shot down, the other struck the ship. Despite the fire and chaos, the vessel did not explode. Ed heroically rescued crew members from the water, though 13 lives were lost.

Ed's service continued aboard the Lafayette Victory, bringing Marines and supplies for the Okinawa invasion. He was in harbor in August 1945 when the atomic bomb was dropped. After the war's end, he spent a month in Tokyo, witnessing the devastation and forging friendships, even playing ping pong with locals near Mount Fujiyama.

Ed returned home in January 1946 at age 24, greeted by Lorna and a still-lit Christmas tree. Post-war, Ed held various jobs: postal carrier, tomato inspector, and for 35 years, he worked at Major Farms, starting as a timekeeper and eventually becoming a harvesting foreman.

He and Lorna bought their first home in Soledad for $6,500. Their first son, John Stephen Laughton, was born on May 7, 1947, followed by Craig Wendell Laughton on April 30, 1950. Eventually, they settled on Soledad Street, where Ed built their family home in 1955, raising their boys in a house full of love. Ed was a Boy Scouts leader and would proudly tell the story of the infamous 50 mile hike they endured with their donkey into the hills of Soledad.

After retiring in 1982, Ed and Lorna moved to Skyline Forest in Monterey, enjoying ocean views, then to Indian Springs in Salinas. There, Ed loved gardening, building play structures and a treehouse for his grandchildren, and volunteering with the HOA board.

In 2004, they moved to Park Lane Retirement Community in Monterey. After Lorna passed away in 2006, Ed remained there another 13 years, participating in events and outings. In 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic, Ed contracted pneumonia but miraculously recovered. He then moved in with his granddaughter Betsy and her husband James in Hollister, where he spent his final five years.

During this time, Ed was honored at numerous ceremonies recognizing the service of Merchant Mariners:

2021: Received the Convoy Medal in Washington, D.C.

2022: Awarded the Congressional Gold Medal of Honor.

2023: Invited to the White House for breakfast with President Biden and participated in the wreath-laying at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

2024: Honored with "John Laughton Day" on November 12 in Salinas, where his photo was displayed as part of the Hometown Heroes Banner Program.

2025: Escorted by motorcycle from Hollister to Monterey for the 80th anniversary of D-Day at the Defense Language Institute.

He passed away on the very day he was to receive his Blanket of Valor.

Ed was joyful, witty, and deeply curious about others. Affectionately known as "Grandpa Ed," he never missed an opportunity to strike up a conversation-often asking, "How old do you think I am?" People were consistently stunned to learn his true age. He cherished his birthday parties and was eagerly counting down to his 104th.

Above all, Ed was a family man. His face lit up at every gathering, and his warmth was a constant comfort to those who loved him. He leaves behind a legacy of loyalty, love, and laughter-a true patriarch whose light touched many lives.

He is survived by his son John Stephen Laughton; daughters-in-law Janice and Ruthie Laughton; grandchildren Betsy Mount (James), Allyson Santos (Arturo), Karl Laughton (Susan); and great-grandchildren Jayla, Jamey, and Jaleaha Mount; Lahna, John Jacob, and Clark Santos; and Jack Laughton.

Ed is reunited in eternal peace with his beloved wife Lorna and son Craig.

The world was a brighter place with Ed in it. He will be missed beyond measure.