At Caring Transitions of Sun City, we often meet families during some of the most difficult moments of their lives. Downsizing is rarely just about belongings — it’s about change, stress, emotion, and sometimes crisis. What we don’t always expect is that, in the process of helping, we uncover stories that deserve to be told far beyond the walls of a home.
This is one of those stories.
A Family in Need During a Difficult Time
When Mrs. Hoog came to Caring Transitions of Sun City, she was facing an overwhelming situation. She needed to downsize quickly to raise funds for urgent legal fees involving a close family member. Like many adult children, Bonnie was balancing responsibility, emotion, and the weight of difficult decisions — deciding what to keep, what to sell, and how to move forward.
Our role was simple: help her through a stressful transition with care, respect, and professionalism.
What we didn’t know was that this transition would uncover a remarkable and nearly forgotten piece of American history.
An Unexpected Discovery While Downsizing
As we began organizing and cataloging family items, we noticed something unusual — military documents, flight logs, photographs, and a WWII-era U.S. Navy flight jacket. At first glance, they were simply artifacts of military service. But as we took a closer look, it became clear that Bonnie’s father was not just a veteran — he was a combat naval aviator with an extraordinary story.
Each document added another layer. Flight logs detailed combat missions. Official correspondence referenced acts of heroism. A recommendation form listed one of the Navy’s highest honors.
What started as downsizing quickly became discovery.
Charles A. Hooper: WWII Naval Aviator
Mrs. Hoog's father, Charles A. Hooper, served as a U.S. Navy torpedo squadron pilot during World War II, flying combat missions in the Pacific Theater. He was assigned to VT-21 aboard the USS Belleau Wood and participated in the dangerous Cape Engaño strikes in October 1944.
Through preserved records and firsthand accounts, we learned that Charles volunteered for an overnight combat mission, flew an aircraft carrying a torpedo, and successfully attacked enemy shipping. During the return flight, his aircraft sustained severe damage, including oil spraying across the windshield, completely blocking forward visibility. Using instruments alone, he managed to land safely. The aircraft was so badly damaged it was deemed beyond repair.
For this action, Charles Hooper was formally recommended for the Navy Cross, the U.S. Navy’s second-highest award for valor.
A Lost Award — and a Wrong Left Uncorrected
Despite the recommendation, Charles Hooper never received the Navy Cross. As we uncovered more documentation, we learned why: wartime chaos and combat damage to the USS Belleau Wood led to the loss or misdirection of records. The recommendation simply vanished in the fog of war.
Decades later, letters from his squadron’s Executive Officer confirmed that the recommendation had been made — but never finalized.
For Mrs. Hoog, this was both heartbreaking and eye-opening. Her father’s bravery had been documented… but never officially recognized.
Beyond the War: Hollywood, Exploration, and Florida History
Charles Hooper’s remarkable life didn’t end with World War II.
After the war, he became part of the underwater diving and camera crew for Disney’s 1954 classic 20,000 Leagues Under the Sea. His experience as a naval aviator and diver placed him among the pioneers of underwater filmmaking.
He was also connected to Silver Springs, Florida, working alongside famed reptile expert Ross Allen. Through photographs and documented accounts, we learned of expeditions to the Amazon rainforest, where Allen and his team sought exotic wildlife — including the legendary pink river dolphin, often referred to at the time as the “pink porpoise.”
These were not tall tales. The documentation exists. The photographs exist. The history is real.
Going Beyond Our Job Description
At Caring Transitions of Sun City, we don’t just help families sell belongings — we help them navigate life transitions with dignity.
In Mrs. Hoog's case, this meant more than downsizing. Once we realized what had been uncovered, we felt a responsibility to help her understand her father’s legacy and pursue the recognition he never received.
We assisted Mrs. Hoog in organizing documentation, understanding the process, and preparing a formal request to the Board for Correction of Naval Records to correct this long-standing injustice.
This was never about publicity. It was about doing the right thing.
Why This Story Matters
So many families carry untold stories in their homes — stories hidden in boxes, drawers, and forgotten files. Downsizing often brings these stories to the surface.
Mrs Hoog’s journey reminds us that behind every item is a life, and sometimes behind that life is a legacy that deserves to be honored.
At Caring Transitions of Sun City, we are proud to support families not only through physical transitions, but through emotional and historical ones as well — even when that means going above and beyond our original role.
How Caring Transitions of Sun City Helps
If you or someone you love is facing a difficult transition — downsizing, relocation, estate organization, or a time of crisis — we’re here to help with compassion, integrity, and care.
Sometimes, helping means more than sorting belongings. Sometimes, it means helping a family reclaim a piece of history.
📞 Contact Caring Transitions of Sun City
We’re here when you need more than just a moving plan.