University of Wisconsin River Falls - Meletean Yearbook (River Falls, WI)

Page 13 text:

Technical Sergeant EUGENE GOSSEN Eugene Gossen, the son of Mr. and Mrs. J. Gossen of Bessemer, Michigan, graduated from the River Falls Teachers College with the degree of B.E. in 1937. He taught in the River Falls High School until his induction in February, 1942. He served in the Army Air Forces in the 394th Bombardment Squadron in the Asiatic-Pacific Area. Shortly after his arrival at his base in the Pacific he was killed in a crash landing with live bombs which exploded. He received the Purple Heart and Citation of Honor. Sergeant Gossen was much interested in Boy Scouting and the River Falls Scout home has been named the Eugene Gossen Lodge in his honor. In June, 1943, he married Marian Tracy, also a student of the college. Lieutenant HOWARD E. HINES Howard E. Hines enlisted in the Army Air Forces September 29, 1942, after attending college one year, 1940, and became a pilot of a B-24 Liberator in England, where he engaged in combat over Germany with the 445th Bombardment group. He had completed more than twenty-eight heavy bombardment missions over Germany, had been shot down twice, but had each time brought his plane back to England. On April 22, 1945, he was killed in a plane crash near Honington, England, while on a non-combat mission. He was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters. Lieutenant Hines was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernest M. Hines of Ellsworth. A brother. T 5 Willard L Hines, served in the Pacific in Okinawa. In 1941 he married Frances A. Brookshaw of Ellsworth. Lieutenant WALTER GUINN Walter Guinn attended the Teachers College from 1933 to 1936, majoring in history and the social studies. He was especially active in YMCA and in the men's chorus and a cappella choir. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces in January, 1942, and was commissioned lieutenant. He met his death December 29. 1943, at Deming Field, New Mexico, where imperfect ventilation and heating facilities in their trailer home caused his death by asphyxiation, together with that of his wife, Genevieve Kondrasuk Guinn, and their five-year-old son.

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Second Lieutenant THOMAS H. GILL Thomas Hopkins Gill was the son of Lieutenant Colonel and Mrs. Dewey R. Gill of Wauwatosa, Wisconsin. He attended River Falls Teachers College during 1939-1940. He enlisted in January, 1942, and served in the Army Air Forces in the European theater of operation. He received the Purple Heart and recognition of the excellent way in which he handled his plane, saving the lives of all crew members. He met his death September 26, 1944, in a B-24, probably over Holland. Lieutenant Gill married Dorothy Jane Taylor in 1942. and they had one daughter, Nancy Taylor Gill. Staff Sergeant ELDON GILLES Eldon Gilles attended River Falls Teachers College in 1938-1939, following his graduation from the Plum City High School. He entered the service in October, 1942, and was sent overseas in October, 1944, in the Army Air Forces. Staff Sergeant Gilles was an armor gunner on a B-24 in the Eighth Air Force and was stationed in Shipdam, England. He had completed all his missions and was awaiting passage to the United States when he was killed in an aircraft crash over Gairloch, Scotland. June 13. 1945. He had received the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters. Lieutenant DEAN W. GORDON Dean W. Gordon entered the service in December, 1943. and became a pilot in the Army Air Forces in the Pacific theater. He had flown around 1200 hours overseas, making trips to Australia and almost all the islands in the South Pacific. His plane moved supplies and troops to the forward areas as soon as they were taken. It supported the Eighth Army’s drive into Mindanao and helped carry all the supplies used in the operation—the first time an engagement had been supported entirely by air. His death occurred July 17, 1945. when his plane crashed on Mt. Calavite on the island of Mindora on a mail run. He received the Asiatic-Pacific ribbon with five bottle stars, the Philippine Liberation ribbon, and was eligible for the Air Medal. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Gordon, and two brothers, one of whom. Dale Gordon, is attending college.

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Pfc. RICHARD M. R. HYLKEMA Richard M. R. Hylkema, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Hylke-ma of Turtle Lake, graduated from River Falls in 1934 in the three-year group. He entered the Army in December, 1943, serving in the Infantry. He was sent overseas and fought in France, Belgium, and Holland with the Timberwolf Division. He was killed in November, 1944, in Holland close to the birth place of his parents. Pfc. Hylkema wore the European Theater ribbon with two battle stars and received the Purple Heart. Two sisters, Mary (deceased) and Gertrude, and a brother, Bernard, were also students at River Falls. Sergeant RUPERT ISAACSON Rupert Isaacson was in the Agriculture department from 1938 to 1941. He was active in athletics, playing on the football team during the three years. He was inducted in June. 1941, and served in the Field Artillery. He went overseas in September, 1944, and fought in southern France where he was killed in action against the enemy November 22, 1944. Sergeant Isaacson was the son of Mr. and Mrs. R. L. Isaacson of Nye. Lieutenant GORDON JACKMAN Gordon Wayne Jackman of River Falls left with the National Guard in October, 1940, after attending college one year. He was chosen for officers training and was graduated as a lieutenant in the Field Artillery. He went overseas in September, 1944, and served in the European theater as forward observer in a Field Artillery unit. He lost his life at Krinkelt, Belgium, in the Battle of the Belgian Bulge in action against the enemy, while with extraordinary heroism he protected the withdrawal of a friendly infantry battalion until his position was overrun. He was cited for bravery and awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. Lieutenant Jackman was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Will Jackman. Two brothers were also in the service, Lynn in Italy and Duane in the United States. In December, 1942, he married Lois Webb, a graduate of River Falls in the class of 1942.