State Heroes

Seaman Second Class Wallace E. Green

Cartwright, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: United States Naval Reserve

Date of Loss: June 28, 1942 / Age: 25

Died while on board the SS Tillie Lykes, an American steam merchant, when it was torpedoed by a German submarine about 100 miles south of the Dominican Republic. His body was lost at sea and was not recovered.

Private First Class Robert A. Norby

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Air Force

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: 77th Bomber Squadron, 28th Bomber Group, Heavy

Battalion / Task Group / Squadron or equivalent:"77th Bomber Squadron

Date of Loss: September 02, 1942 / Age:

Died while in MIA status.

Private First Class Richard G. Colbert

Harlem Township, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Army

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: Sixth Infantry

Division / Fleet / Air Force or Equivalent:First Armored Division

Date of Loss: November 08, 1942 / Age: 22

Died while in MIA status.

Gunner's Mate Second Class Carmen A. Erikson

Arnegard, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: United States Navy

Date of Loss: August 09, 1942 / Age:

Died while in MIA status.

Fireman First Class Harold Pfaffengut

Bowden, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: United States Navy

Date of Loss: April 26, 1942 / Age:

Died while in MIA status.

Motor Machinist's Mate Second Class Sidney A. Loe

Sanish, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: United States Navy

Date of Loss: July 30, 1942 / Age: 26

Died while in MIA status aboard the USS Grunion. The ship reportedly sank, when it was hit by a Japanese ship it had torpedoed.

Coxswain Terrance H. Langeliers

Linton, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: United States Navy

Date of Loss: March 27, 1942 / Age: 25

Died while in MIA status - buried at sea. Died aboard the USS Atik when it was hit on the port side ahead of the bridge by a G7e torpedo from U-123 about 300 miles east of Norfolk.

Machinist's Mate Second Class Nicholas N. Fischer

Halliday, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: United States Navy

Date of Loss: January 26, 1942 / Age:

Died while in MIA status.

Private Teddy Belcheff

Normania Township, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Air Force

Battalion / Task Group / Squadron or equivalent:16th Bomber Squadron

Date of Loss: June 20, 1942 / Age: 26

Died while in POW status. Philippines. Remains not recovered.

Second Lieutenant Verne Augustine

Wahpeton, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Air Force

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: Edsall; Army Air Corps

Date of Loss: March 01, 1942 / Age: 23

Died while in MIA status. Indonesia. Remains not recovered. 

Captain Ralph D. Matthews

Maza, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Air Force

Battalion / Task Group / Squadron or equivalent:18th Fighter Squadron,

Date of Loss: December 26, 1942 / Age: 26

Died while in MIA status.

Coxswain Lawrence J. Lavey

Valley City, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: United States Navy

Date of Loss: November 13, 1942 / Age:

Died while in MIA status.

Machinist's Mate First Class Fredick W. Braa

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: U.S.S. Juneau

Date of Loss: November 13, 1942 / Age: 21

The Juneau, in the early morning hours in near pitch darkness, was first struck on the port side by a torpedo causing a severe list. The Juneau, once dawn broke, then tried to return to Espiritu Santo for repairs along with the battle damaged U.S.S.

Lieutenant Edward H. Allen

Pekin, ND

World War II (WWII)

Branch of Service: Navy

Company / Ship / Flight or equivalent: USS Lexington

Date of Loss: May 07, 1942 / Age: 34

Killed in action during the Battle of the Coral Sea. Member of scouting squadron 2. 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:

Private Jack W. Amsler

Branch of Service: Army

Date of Loss: January 19, 1942 / Age:

Killed in action at Abucay, Philippines, during the Battle of The Philippines. Remains not recovered.