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

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.

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 21 text:

Lieutenant PETER STENE, JR. Peter Stene was a student in the college from 1936-1940, enlisting in the Army Air Forces in June, 1941. He served in the European theater and was in the assault on Regensburg, Germany, in August, 1943. He met his death while returning from a bombing mission to Frankfurt, Germany, February 17, 1945. Just off the coast of Ostend, Belgium, the aircraft of which he was Command Pilot caught fire from an explosion in the nose of the plane. It crashed into the sea, and only one survivor was rescued. The Air Medal with seven oak leaf clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross were awarded to him. Lieutenant DARRELL KEITH STOYKE Darrell Keith Stoyke came to River Falls from Chetek, studied here in preparation for a business course, 1939-19 0, and then went to the University of Minnesota, which he attended from 1940 to 1942. He enlisted in July, 1943. in the Army Air Forces. He became a Fighter Pilot and was sent to the European theater. On August 19, 1944. he was killed in action in Southern France. He received the Air Medal with three oak.leaf clusters. Lieutenant Stoyke was the son of Mr. and Mrs. E. F. Stoyke of Sheldon. Ensign ROBERT THORESON Robert Thoreson enlisted in the Naval Reserve as an aviation cadet in December, 1940. He was in his senior year at the college, majoring in agricultural education and science. He had been active in college life and was business manager of the Meletean at the time of his departure. He was commissioned an ensign in 1941 and assigned to duty as a naval flying instructor with the patrol bomber squadron at the Naval Air Station at Pensacola. Florida. He continued at this duty until his death, due to a landing crash, September 7. 1942. His father, Toby R. Thoreson, lives in River Falls. A brother, Kenneth, was with the Army Air Forces in India.