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

Page 19 text:

Captain MALCOLM H. ROCKWELL Malcolm H. Rockwell attended the college during 1937-1938 and Marquette University during 1938 1940. He enlisted in the service November 26. 1941. a few days before Pearl Harbor. He served in the Artillery and fought overseas in the European theater. He lost his life in Germany, December 17. 1944. He received the Bronze Star Medal and the Purple Heart. Captain Rockwell was the son of Mrs. Winnona Rockwell and is survived by his wife and his mother. His brother John died in France two months before his own death. Lieutenant OLIVER R. SCHULTZ Oliver R. Schultz was a student in the Agricultural department at the college in 1940-1941. He then entered the University of Wisconsin and enlisted while there in February, 1942. He left for overseas in December. 1943, going first to Africa and then to Italy. He was missing in action May 26, 1944. Lieutenant Schultz received the Air Medal and was awarded the Silver Star for attack on a concentration of enemy motor vehicles in Italy in which he set fire to and damaged thirteen trucks before his plane burst into flames and he parachuted to sea near enemy land. Lieutenant RICHARD SHEA Richard Shea attended the Oshkosh Teachers College in 1940-1941 and entered River Falls the next year in the Agriculture department. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces in December, 1942. He left the United States tor overseas service and became a Pilot in a P-51 plane, engaged in combat duty in England. He lost his life November I, 1945, in Karlsruhe. Germany. He was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart. Lieutenant Shea was the son of Mr. and Mrs. John F. Shea of Pickett.

Page 18 text:

Lieutenant JOHN HENRY PERSON John Henry Person was a navigator on a bomber operating in the African theater. He has been missina ever since two planes failed to return from a mission early in 1943. He enlisted in 1940, in the Army Air Forces, following two years at River Falls, and was sent to the Mediterranean theatre. His death apparently occurred April 18. 1943, in Sicily. He married Jane Erickson in 1942. and had a son whom he had never seen. He received the Air Medal with four oak leaf clusters and the Purple Heart. T Sgt. WARD RANDLES Ward Randles came to the college from Alma Center and while here was a Falcon basketball star. He received his degree in 1939. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces in 1942 and served in the Europe-Africa-Middle East area. He flew in the famous raid over the Ploesti oil fields in Rumania in August, 1943. as Flight Engineer on a B-24 bomber. He had been missing since December 22. 1943. when on a flight over Hollond. but was not officially declared dead until September, 1945. He received the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters, the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purple Heart. He married Beatrice Cornell in 1943. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. Earl Randles of Alma Center. Pfc. JOHN W. ROCKWELL John W. Rockwell enlisted in July, 1943. He was sent to the European theatre, where he served with a demolition corps. He met his death near Le Havre, France, October 19, 1944. He was awarded posthumously the Purple Heart and the Soldiers' Certificate of Merit tor performing exceptionally meritorious service in daily exposing himself during the period before his death, September 5 to October 19. 1944. on his hazardous mission, part of it under fire. Private Rockwell is survived by his wife, two children, and his mother. Mrs. Winnona Rockwell. His brother. Malcolm, also lost his life in the service.

Page 20 text:

Ensign JEROME SOBOTTA Jerome Sobotta graduated from River Fails in 1940, with the degree B.S. in agriculture. He taught agriculture two years in the Channing, Michigan, High School. In February, 1942, he enlisted in the Naval Reserve and received his commission in the fall of that year. He was assigned on the seas the next year and saw action in the South Pacific until July 18, 1943, when his ship was torpedoed as it was nearing the island of Rendova in the Solomon Sea. Among those who lost their lives on the ship was the famous artist and illustrator, Lieut. Commander McClelland Barclay. Ensign Sobotta is survived by his mother, Mrs. Emma Sobotta. His brothers served in the Pacific also. Pfc. RUSSELL SOLHEIM Russell Soiheim, son of Mr. and Mrs. Oswald J. Solheim of Hudson, graduated from River Falls in 1927. Music was one of his chief hobbies and he was a singer of unusual ability. At the time of his enlistment, October, 1943, he was working for the Cudahy Packing Company as a salesman. Private Solheim served in the Infantry and was sent to the European theater. He fought in the battle of St. Lo and lost his life in France on the fields of Normandy, July 11, 1944. Lieutenant KEITH SOLVESON Keith Solveson entered the Army Air Forces February 24, 1942, after attending the college from 1937 to 1941. He became bombardier for the crew of the Sky Wolf, accounting for more than twenty German fighters before going down over Oschersleber, Holland. Lieutenant Solveson lost his life August 20, 1943. He was awarded the Air Medal with three oak leaf clusters and the Purple Heart.