State Heroes

Chief Commissaryman Emil Schadler

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Meredith

Date of Loss: October 15, 1942 / Age: 30

One of 186 crew members Killed In Action in the sinking of the destroyer U.S.S. Meredith (DD-434) by Japanese aircraft from the carrier Zuikaku while the ship was enroute from Espiritu Santo to Guadalcanal with supplies

Private Elton L. Pederson

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent:Americal Division

Date of Loss: November 22, 1942 / Age: 28

Killed in action in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Staff Sergeant Irvin C. Skramstad

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Air Force

Battalion / Task Group / Squadron or equivalent:Third Pursuit Squadron

Date of Loss: July 01, 1942 / Age:

Killed in action in the Philippines.

First Lieutenant Frank G. Welch

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Date of Loss: October 20, 1942 / Age: 27

Killed in action in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Captain George R. Newgard

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Date of Loss: October 16, 1942 / Age: 38

Killed in action in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Private Wenzel A. Picha

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Date of Loss: November 22, 1942 / Age: 34

Killed in action in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Lieutenant Junior Grade Edwin E. Tuma

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Date of Loss: October 14, 1942 / Age: 25

Killed in action when the plane he was in was shot down by the Japanese. 

Sergeant First Class Virgil A. Lane

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent:Americal Division

Date of Loss: November 21, 1942 / Age: 22

Virgil Lane was killed Nov. 21, 1942, on Guadalcanal while serving with the 164th North Dakota Infantry Regiment in World War II. The Hillsboro Lane-Osmon Veterans of Foreign Wars post is named in honor of Virgil's memory.

Private Alvin F. Callahan

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Date of Loss: October 07, 1942 / Age: 31

Died in a plane crash at South Plains Army Flying School

Private First Class Wenceslaus J. Novotny

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: Company I

Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent:Americal Division

Date of Loss: November 21, 1942 / Age: 20

Killed in action in the South Pacific

Private First Class James P. Shockman

LaMoure, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Marines

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: Company M

Battalion / Task Group / Squadron or equivalent:3rd Battalion

Date of Loss: May 06, 1942 / Age: 22

Killed in action in Ft. Hughes, Philippine Islands

Corporal Richard C. Myers

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent:Americal Division

Date of Loss: November 22, 1942 / Age: 21

Killed in action in Guadalcanal, Solomon Islands

Private Harold R. Van Hoof

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent:25th Infantry Division

Date of Loss: September 27, 1942 / Age: 28

Killed in action in Hawaii

Fireman First Class Charles Ray Casto

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Oklahoma

Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age: 19

From DPAA website: 

March 16, 2017:

Remains of Navy Fireman 1st Class Charles R. Casto, killed in the attack on the USS Oklahoma during World War II, have now been identified.

Corporal Edwin C. Borusky

Langdon, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Marines

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Arizona

Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age:

Aboard USS Arizona during attack on Pearl Harbor. Remains not recovered.

Seaman Second Class Charles H. Johannes

Foxholm, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Oklahoma

Date of Loss: December 07, 1941 / Age:

Died while in MIA status. Crew member aboard the USS Oklahoma, killed during the attack on Pearl Harbor along with 428 fellow crewmen.

North Dakotans lost on the Oklahoma: