I created this list of Lowry area WW II veterans, starting with a list published in the 1944 Christmas issue of the "Lowry News". I am quite sure this is not a complete list. The Pope County Museum in Glenwood is compiling a list of Pope County vets from all conflicts and has a wall of veteran photos. But that is not complete either.
This is an outline. Please help me fill in details. I would at least like a photo - in uniform, service branch, dates and theater of service for each person. If you know additional names that should be here, or more information on anyone in this list, please add the info as a comment on this post OR send the info to me directly ussbb62@gmail.com and I will update this post.
Each of these honor roll members has a story. If you can, capture it. And - pictures are welcome.
Thanks.
Lester Anderson
Army. Pvt. Killed in Action France - 1944
Robert J. Bennett
Wallace Bjorklund
Lawrence Bjorklund
Army. Pfc
Fred Chan
Army. Cpl. 1942-1945. North Africa, Persia, Burma, India, China. Burma Road supply truck driver- only drove at night to avoid attacks.
Clarence Chan
Army. Cpl. 1941-1945 Pacific Theater. South Pacific & Philippines. Anti-tank company, 63rd Infantry, 6th Motorized Division
Oliver Chan
Army. Sgt. 1941-1945 Supply Sgt. Europe (ETO) '44-45
Philemon Chan
Army. Pvt. 1942-1945 Europe (ETO) '44-'45
Victor Chan
Tec5 Army Air Force. 1942-1945 England 7/42-6/44. Europe (ETO) 44-45. 9th Engineering Command. Landed in France on D-Day, the unit constructing and emergency landing strip under enemy fire. The unit received a Presidential Unit Citation
Leo Dahl
Claremont Dahlseng
Army. S/Sgt. Intelligence Section. France. Bronze Star for action crossing Sauer River. Purple Heart - wounded Dec 1944
Donald Dingwall
James Dingwall
Paul Ekstrand
Navy
John Hagstrom
Allen Hagstrom
Hartford "Hub" Holden
Navy. QM1/c. Hub enlisted in the Navy after graduating from Glenwood High School in 1942. He served in the Pacific as a Quartermaster on the USS YMS 339 a wood bottom minesweeper charged with clearing mines prior to an amphibious invasion. 1942-1946. Panama Canal 12/43-8/44. Pacific Theater including Guadalcanal and Tulagi and the Philippines. Ship & crew were awarded a Presidential citation for actions in and around Borneo.
James W. Holtberg
Kenneth Holtberg
On August 14, 1944, Ken entered the United States Marine Corps. Pvt. BAR rifleman Iwo Jima & China theater.
Oliver Hoplin
Navy. enlisted in the Navy in 1940 and was called to active duty in March, 1941. ChPhM (Chief Pharmacist Mate) aboard the "baby-flattop" aircraft carrier USS Nassau, nicknamed the "Princess", in the Pacific theatre. The Nassau was mainly used to ferry new aircraft and personnel from the USA to the fleet, traveling more than 250,000 miles on its journeys.
Glenn Hoplin
Enlisted in the Navy after graduating from Augsburg College in 1942 Navy, EM2/c. 1942-45. Pacific Theater. Electrician's Mate, USS New Jersey BB62 Pacific Theater from Kwajelein to Tokyo Bay.
Donald Hoplin
Enlisted in the Navy in November, 1942 and served as Seaman 1st class aboard the USS Albemare (AV-5) & later USS Lake Champlain CVS39, an Essex class aircraft carrier, used largely to ferry military equipment and personnel to Europe.
Paul Hoplin
Along with his neighbors, Roy Robieson & DeWayne Johnson, enlisted in the Navy in 1945 while still in High School. His father had to sign for him and his mother accepted his diploma at the GHS graduation ceremonies. Paul served as an Electrician Mate aboard the seaplane tender USS Corson (AVP37) as well as other ships (USS Audubon, USS Hamlin) at the end of the war.
Earle W. Johnson
Navy 1942--46. (Pharmacist Mate 1st class (PhM1c). He had a year or two in pharmacy college before he joined the Navy and leading to his duty as a Pharmacist Mate. Served at New Hebrides and at a medical dispensary on the small island of Tulagi in the Solomon Islands as well as on a US Hospital ship.
John DeWayne Johnson
Joined the Navy after High School with fellow Lowryites: Paul Hoplin, Roy Robieson, Kenneth Holtberg. He was on active duty the USNR in 1945-46 -- less than a year -- and served on the USS Hancock (CV 19), and the USS Antietam (CV 36).
Mark Kasper
5th Army Air Corps. Captain. Pacific Theater. "Headhunters" squadron, first squadron to record 200 kills and receiving a Presidential Unit Citation. P-38 fighters, 135 missions in the South Pacific. Awarded the air medal with four oak leaf clusters.
Robert Kasper
Army Air Corps. Lt. Killed in training crash 1942. Flight commander 5th Pursuit Squadron, 52nd Group.
Alexander Leslie
Army.
Dr. Maynard Nelson
Navy Surgeon, LCDR. Pacific Theater. Enlistment date: Dec 7, 1941
Ruby Lysen
Gwendolyn Jane Mollers
Lawrence Olson
Clayton Person
Navy. 1942-1945. Pacific Theater. MOMM2 Motor Machinist 2nd Class. USS Tantalus ARL-27.
Francis Robieson
Army - Pacific Theater. Hawaii & Guam. T/4 Cryptographic Technician.
James L. Robieson
Army - 3rd Infantry. 1934-1936
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Doris Robieson Air Force manufacturing in Sacramento and Los Angeles. Lowry's "Rosie the Riviter".
Charley P. Shermak
Army. PFC. North Africa. Purple Heart - shrapnel wound at Fondike Pass
Calvin D. Smith
US Army. Capt. 34th Red Bull Division, Italy - earning a "Blue Rifle" combat infantry badge
Arnold Swenson
Willard West
Copyright © 2015 Dave Hoplin
Thanks.
Lowry Area WWII Honor Roll
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| Veterans wall at the Pope County Museum, Glenwood, MN |
The Chan family holds the honor of having the largest Lowry contingent with 5 sons in the Army, followed by the Hoplins, with 4 sons in the Navy.
Army. Pvt. Killed in Action France - 1944
Army Medical Corps. 1942-45. Tec 4. X-ray technician. 113th General Hospital. Field Hospital, Ahwaz, Iran.
Lawrence Bisek
Army. Cpl.
Army. Cpl.
Harry Bjorklund
Army. Sgt.
Army. Corporal
Army. Pfc
Archie Brandt
Marines. Sgt. 1943-45. Ordnance & Material.
Marines. Sgt. 1943-45. Ordnance & Material.
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| Chan brothers: Fred, Phil, Vic, Oliver, Clarence |
Army. Cpl. 1942-1945. North Africa, Persia, Burma, India, China. Burma Road supply truck driver- only drove at night to avoid attacks.
Clarence ChanArmy. Cpl. 1941-1945 Pacific Theater. South Pacific & Philippines. Anti-tank company, 63rd Infantry, 6th Motorized Division
Oliver Chan
Army. Sgt. 1941-1945 Supply Sgt. Europe (ETO) '44-45
Army. Pvt. 1942-1945 Europe (ETO) '44-'45
Tec5 Army Air Force. 1942-1945 England 7/42-6/44. Europe (ETO) 44-45. 9th Engineering Command. Landed in France on D-Day, the unit constructing and emergency landing strip under enemy fire. The unit received a Presidential Unit Citation
Army. Pvt. Leo was a cook.
Claremont Dahlseng
Army. S/Sgt. Intelligence Section. France. Bronze Star for action crossing Sauer River. Purple Heart - wounded Dec 1944
Army. Cpl
Army Sgt.
Navy
Allen Grindy
Navy, Seaman. Jan 1944 - Apr 46. Radio operator. USS Issard(DD-589). Pacific Theater, including Iwo Jima & Okinawa
Navy, Seaman. Jan 1944 - Apr 46. Radio operator. USS Issard(DD-589). Pacific Theater, including Iwo Jima & Okinawa
Navy S2/c
PHM2/c (Pharmacist mate)
Verlynne J. Henderson
Army. 1942-45. Cpl. Medic. India, Burma, China.
Army. 1942-45. Cpl. Medic. India, Burma, China.
Navy. QM1/c. Hub enlisted in the Navy after graduating from Glenwood High School in 1942. He served in the Pacific as a Quartermaster on the USS YMS 339 a wood bottom minesweeper charged with clearing mines prior to an amphibious invasion. 1942-1946. Panama Canal 12/43-8/44. Pacific Theater including Guadalcanal and Tulagi and the Philippines. Ship & crew were awarded a Presidential citation for actions in and around Borneo.
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| Minesweeper |
James W. Holtberg
Army Air Force. Cpl. 1943-46. 830th Air Evac squadron. ETO - France.
On August 14, 1944, Ken entered the United States Marine Corps. Pvt. BAR rifleman Iwo Jima & China theater.
Oliver Hoplin
Navy. enlisted in the Navy in 1940 and was called to active duty in March, 1941. ChPhM (Chief Pharmacist Mate) aboard the "baby-flattop" aircraft carrier USS Nassau, nicknamed the "Princess", in the Pacific theatre. The Nassau was mainly used to ferry new aircraft and personnel from the USA to the fleet, traveling more than 250,000 miles on its journeys.
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| Journeys of the USS Nassau |
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| USS Nassau |
Glenn Hoplin
Enlisted in the Navy after graduating from Augsburg College in 1942 Navy, EM2/c. 1942-45. Pacific Theater. Electrician's Mate, USS New Jersey BB62 Pacific Theater from Kwajelein to Tokyo Bay.
Donald Hoplin
Enlisted in the Navy in November, 1942 and served as Seaman 1st class aboard the USS Albemare (AV-5) & later USS Lake Champlain CVS39, an Essex class aircraft carrier, used largely to ferry military equipment and personnel to Europe.
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| USS Lake Champlain |
Paul HoplinAlong with his neighbors, Roy Robieson & DeWayne Johnson, enlisted in the Navy in 1945 while still in High School. His father had to sign for him and his mother accepted his diploma at the GHS graduation ceremonies. Paul served as an Electrician Mate aboard the seaplane tender USS Corson (AVP37) as well as other ships (USS Audubon, USS Hamlin) at the end of the war.
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| USS Corson |
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| Earle W. Johnson |
Earle W. Johnson
Navy 1942--46. (Pharmacist Mate 1st class (PhM1c). He had a year or two in pharmacy college before he joined the Navy and leading to his duty as a Pharmacist Mate. Served at New Hebrides and at a medical dispensary on the small island of Tulagi in the Solomon Islands as well as on a US Hospital ship.
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| John DeWayne Johnson |
Joined the Navy after High School with fellow Lowryites: Paul Hoplin, Roy Robieson, Kenneth Holtberg. He was on active duty the USNR in 1945-46 -- less than a year -- and served on the USS Hancock (CV 19), and the USS Antietam (CV 36).
5th Army Air Corps. Captain. Pacific Theater. "Headhunters" squadron, first squadron to record 200 kills and receiving a Presidential Unit Citation. P-38 fighters, 135 missions in the South Pacific. Awarded the air medal with four oak leaf clusters.
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| Mark Kasper pilots one of these AT-6 (advanced trainers) over Kelly Field, TX |
Army Air Corps. Lt. Killed in training crash 1942. Flight commander 5th Pursuit Squadron, 52nd Group.
Army.
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| Maynard Nelson |
Dr. Maynard Nelson
Navy Surgeon, LCDR. Pacific Theater. Enlistment date: Dec 7, 1941
Army. Nurse Lt.
Walter F. Middents
Navy Air Corp. 1940-45. Lt. - South Pacific VR-10 & VPB-20 Squadrons earning a Distinguished Flying Cross
Luther Moen
Navy. S1/c
Wayne Moen
Army. Pvt
Gwendolyn Jane Mollers
Navy. Driver for officers.
Alvin Nygaard
Army. Tec5. 324th Signal Company, 9th Air Force. North Africa, Italy, France. Unit citation from General Charles DeGaulle, 1944.
Army. Tec5. 324th Signal Company, 9th Air Force. North Africa, Italy, France. Unit citation from General Charles DeGaulle, 1944.
Army. Pvt.
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| USS Tantalus |
Clayton Person Navy. 1942-1945. Pacific Theater. MOMM2 Motor Machinist 2nd Class. USS Tantalus ARL-27.
Francis Robieson
Army - Pacific Theater. Hawaii & Guam. T/4 Cryptographic Technician.
Clarence Robieson
Army - Pacific Theater. Captain. Anti-aircraft unit Oahu
Army - Pacific Theater. Captain. Anti-aircraft unit Oahu
Army - 3rd Infantry. 1934-1936
1940's - Shipbuilding in Norfolk, VA. He was a welder on the USS Lake Champlain, the ship his eventual brother-in-law (Donald Hoplin) served upon.
Roy Robieson
Navy - Seaman. Pacific Theater
Navy - Seaman. Pacific Theater
Othelia Rosten
Army Nurse. Lt. 95th Evacuation Hospital. North Africa, Sicily, Italy, France (Operation Dragoon), Germany, Dachau
Signer Rykhus
Army. 1944 Germany
Private, Co.C, 84th Training Battalion , 15th Training Regiment
Private, Co.C, 84th Training Battalion , 15th Training Regiment
Army. PFC. North Africa. Purple Heart - shrapnel wound at Fondike Pass
Calvin D. SmithUS Army. Capt. 34th Red Bull Division, Italy - earning a "Blue Rifle" combat infantry badge
Army. Cpl. Enlisted 1944. England, Holland, Cent. Europe. Engineering Combat Battalion.
Earl W. Weisel
Army. Sgt. Signal Corps. 1942-1945 North Africa, Sicily, Italy. Inducted at Fort Sheridan, IL Feb, 1942. Had worked for Lowry Telephone, so naturally assigned to the Signal Corps and radar school. Sent to England (aboard the Queen Mary - without convoy). Landed in North Africa (Operation Torch, Nov 1942) landing near Oran. Learned Morse code and became a radio operator. Then Sicily & Italy. In '45, received a 30 day furlough and experienced a 5 day Atlantic storm, landing in NY in March 1945. Then reported to Fort Snelling after his furlough.
Sent to CA to a "repair camp" at a Marine base at Santa Anna and then to Scott Air Force base near St. Louis as an instructor until discharge.
Army. Sgt. Signal Corps. 1942-1945 North Africa, Sicily, Italy. Inducted at Fort Sheridan, IL Feb, 1942. Had worked for Lowry Telephone, so naturally assigned to the Signal Corps and radar school. Sent to England (aboard the Queen Mary - without convoy). Landed in North Africa (Operation Torch, Nov 1942) landing near Oran. Learned Morse code and became a radio operator. Then Sicily & Italy. In '45, received a 30 day furlough and experienced a 5 day Atlantic storm, landing in NY in March 1945. Then reported to Fort Snelling after his furlough.
Sent to CA to a "repair camp" at a Marine base at Santa Anna and then to Scott Air Force base near St. Louis as an instructor until discharge.
Army. T/5
Copyright © 2015 Dave Hoplin
Victor Chan should be registered in Americandday.org
ReplyDeleteGreat tribute, Dave.
ReplyDeleteThanks for including my dad. ~Darlene Grindy Smith
ReplyDelete