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

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Lieutenant ALVIN ANDERSON Alvin Bud Anderson came to River Falls from the Baldwin High School and attended the college during the years 1939-1941. While here he was interested in intramural athletics and was one of the mainstays of the Falcon tennis team. He was class president, member of the Student Senate, and R Club, and was active on various committees. In May, 1942, he enlisted in the Reserve Signal Corps and served in the Hawaiian Islands from May, 1942, until February, 1943. He sailed to New Guinea in May, 1944, and took part in the invasions of both Leyte and Luzon. On January 29, 1945, he was killed in a plane crash on Leyte. Lt. Anderson's company, the 989th Signal Company, received the Bronze Star for its participation in the Leyte and Luzon campaigns. Lieutenant ROBERT E. BOERNKE Robert E. Boernke enlisted in the Army Air Forces September 25, 1942. He classified as Pilot in May, 1943, and graduated as Second Lieutenant, Fighter Pilot, in March, 1944. After further officers training he flew to India August 2, 1944. In the fall of that year he went over the Hump into China. It was while leading a squadron on an important mission over China that he was killed at Hong Kong, December 23, 1944. He attended River Falls in 1938-1939. Lieutenant BURTON BOETTCHER Burton Boettcher of the army was Captain Boettcher of the River Falls 1941 football squad, starring in athletics here as well as in high school at Chippewa Falls and Eau Claire Teachers College, which he attended during his freshman year. He received his B.S. degree from River Falls Teachers College in 1942, entering the army in August of that year. He became an infantry officer after training in the Officers Training School at Fort Benning, Georgia, and was sont for overseas duty in the South Pacific in January, 1944. It was in Arawe, New Britain, that he met his death. April 6, 1944, as a result of an accidental gunshot wound. He is survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Harry Boettcher of Chippewa Falls, and two brothers, who were also in the service: Lt. (jg) Orris C. Boettcher, serving in the South Pacific, and T Sgt. Vernon Boettcher in England.

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TO THE MEN OF THE RIVER FALLS STATE TEACHERS COLLEGE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES IN THE SERVICE OF THEIR COUNTRY WE DEDICATE THIS BOOK. ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆ ☆

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 Lieutenant ERYLE BOETTCHER Eryle W. Boettcher was Burton's cousin; both were born on the same day, September 26, 1917, only a year apart, and both were laid to rest in the same month of April, a year apart. Eryle studied in the Agriculture department at River Falls during the years 1938-1941, entering the Army Air Forces, August 26, 1941. He met his death at Euphrata, Washington, as the result of a bomber crash. He is survived by his father and mother, Mr. and Mrs. Walter Boettcher ot Bloomer, Wisconsin, a sister, Helene, and a brother, Warren. Lieutenant ROBERT BUSBY Robert Busby graduated from the River Falls High School in 1938 and attended the Teachers College until 1940 when he left with the National Guard in October. He transferred to the Army Air Forces, and was piloting one of the Army’s fastest planes, the P-51 Mustang, on a special mission. staging a recognition school for around forces when the accident occurrea which caused his death at Muskogee. Oklahoma, September 19. 1943. He is survived by his mother, father, and sister, lone. His brother Marvin, Quartermaster l c of the USNR. has been missing in the Pacific theater of action since January, 1944. Staff Sergeant DUANE C. CORNELL Duane C. Cornell graduated from the high school at Eau Claire and attended the Teachers College in that city two years, 1939-1940. He came to River Falls in 1941 and from here went into the armed forces in November. He served in the Reid Artillery in the European theatre of operation and received the Purple Heart decoration. He was killed in action at St. Lo, France. July 27, 1944. A brother. Jack, was also a Corporal in the army in France. His parents are Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Cornell who live near Eau Claire.