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

Page 15 text:

Lieutenant DONALD E. JOHNSON Donald E. Johnson also left River Falls with the National Guard in October, 1940, after spending two years in college. He was commissioned a lieutenant in the Field Artillery. He left the United Stotes for foreign service in June, 1943, and fought in France, where he was mortally wounded at Vire, August 10, 1944, dying August II. He was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Harry C. Johnson of River Falls. In August, 1943, he married Dorothy J. Parrish of Ellsworth, a former student at River Falls. Private ROY JOHNSON Roy Johnson attended the college from 1931-1933, taking the Principals course. At the time of his induction he was assistant field supervisor of Warner Brothers Motion Pictures, working out of the Minneapolis office. He enlisted in the Army February 15, 1945, and was sent overseas from the West Coast just before peace was declared. He was on his way to the South Pacific when he died aboard ship of illness—cerebro-spinal fever meningococcic. He is survived by his mother. Mrs. Flora Johnson, his little daughters and one brother, Private Louis Johnson, with the armv in T«v . His wife. LaVonne Ringdahl Johnson, died in 1940 Staff Sergeant VOYLE JOHNSON Voyle Johnson attended River Falls Teachers College two years, 1938-1940, before entering the service. January. 1940. He went into the Army Air Forces and was sent to the Philippines, where he fought in the Battle of Bataan. He was reported missing in action in May. 1942, and no further word was received until July, 1944, when he was declared officially dead and awarded the Purple Heart posthumously. At the end of the war it was learned that he had died June 2, 1942, in a Japanese prisoner of war camp—Camp O'Donnell in the Philippines. He is survived by his father, Axel Johnson, of Grantsburg and one brother and three sisters.

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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.

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Staff Sergeant ROBERT R. McCABE Robert R. McCabe, son of Mr. and Mrs. William McCabe of Hammond, received his B.E. degree in science and mathematics from River Falls in 1937. He had been active in basketball and debate and served on many committees while in college. He entered the service July 15, 1942, in the Army Air Forces and was sent overseas to the New Guinea area. Here he was a radio gunner on a B-25 bomber. He was shot down September 3, 1943, over Wewak Bay after a terrific enemy attack. All five members of the crew were missing. He was awarded the Silver Star, Presidential Unit Citation and the Purple Heart. Lieutenant STANLEY L. MORLEY Stanley L. Morley majored in science and mathematics during his four years at River Falls, receiving his degree, Bachelor of Science, in 1940. One of his extra-curricular activities was photography, and he was photographer for the 1940 Meletean. He entered the service in February, 1942, in the Army Air Forces and was sent to the European theater of operation. He was on a bombing mission over Germany when he was shot down over Duren, November 29, 1944. He had received the Air Medal and was awarded the Purple Heart. Lieutenant Morley‘s parents are Mr. and Mrs. Roy Morley of New Auburn. Lieutenant ROBERT L MRAZ Robert L Mraz enlisted in the Army Air Forces in January, 1942, while in his sophomore year at River Falls. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in September and was sent to the Alaskan area at the end of the year. It was while on patrol duty in the Aleutian Islands that his plane was caught in a propeller wash, and he was killed January 21, 1943. Lieutenant Mraz was an outstanding athlete, receiving the American Legion award as the outstanding athlete of his class upon his graduation from the Algoma High School, where he played football, basketball, and baseball. He continued his football career at River Falls, becoming a varsity letterman. During his vacations he played baseball on the Algoma city team. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. Frank Mraz of Algoma. A sister, Lieutenant Elaine Mraz, was an army nurse at O’Reilly General Hospital, Springfield. Missouri.