Guadalcanal

WWII – Marines Nelson, Pfc. Warren B.

Lisa

“Hid His Purple Heart While Home on Leave” Mr. and Mrs. Clarence Nelson, 2821 Kinsey St. received a telegram from the commandant of the   marine corps stating that their son had been wounded in action.  Their son had just left for his new assignment after visiting home on furlough  following 27 months combat service in the Pacific. Wounded July 9 on Saipan; gunshot wound in right hand. The 23-year old veteran of the fighting on Tulagi, Guadalcanal, Tarawa, Saipan and Tinianis now on guard duty at the Brunswick, Maine naval airbase. The young marine was employed at Rockford Fiber Container prior to entering the service January, 1944

Source: Rockford Register Republic 12/28/1944

Pearson, Pfc. Floyd

Lisa

PFC Floyd Pearson

“Rites for War Hero Saturday” Killed at Guadalcanal Rescuing Comrade. Graveside services will be held at 1:30 pm Saturday in Arlington Memorial Park for Pfc.  Son of Adolph Pearson, 420 Fitch Rd. On May 2, 1942 the distiguished service cross was awarded posthumously. Private first class Pearson, who was born here on Aug 6, 1918 attended Rockford Schools and later worked Gunite foundries.  He entered the army March 16, 1941. Trained at Fort Sheridan, Camp Croft, S.C., and Camp Forrest, TN. First sent to Australia, he later served in New Caledonia and Guadalcanal.  Arrangements by Fred C. Olson mortuary

Source: Rockford Register Republic 6/10/1948

WW II Army Stollard, Staff Sgt. Charles N.

Lisa

26 months overseas with 37th infantry division in Southwest Pacific  anti-tank gun platoon sergeant, saw New Georgia & Bougainville campaigns saw action in Guadalcanal, Fiji Islands and Russell islands

Source: Rockford Morning Star 8/8/1944

 

World War II – Navy – Robert I. Trapp

Andrew

Commander Robert I. Trapp

Entered Navy February 8, 1927; retired June 1, 1957

Served in the South Pacific during World War II in Amphibious Attack Transports

In battles of Guadalcanal, Saipan, Okinawa, Iwo Jima

Awarded Bronze Star and 8 Battle Stars.

See also Korea

Died: 2/17/2010

Source: Rockford Register Star 2/20/2010

 

 

Crotzer, Wayne

Jan

Longmont, Colorado—–

Born July 16, 1922 in Freeport, IL to Harry and Ella Crotzer.

He served in the United States Marine Corps from July 16, 1942 to Jan. 18, 1946 and was honorably discharged as a Staff Sgt.  He saw action with the 2nd Marine Division at Guadalcanal, Tarawa Atoll, Gilbert Islands, Saipan and Tinian and the Marianas Islands.

Because Wayne and all four brothers all simultaneously served in active duty during WWII and because of this, his mother, Ella Crotzer, was asked to christen the USS Rockford at its launching.

Operated Wayne’s Texaco 1955-1990.

Member V.F.W., the Elks lodge and the Moose lodge.

A memorial service was held in the Ahlberg Funeral Chapel.

Source: Rockford Register Star Oct. 7, 2014

 

Benson, Gordon Richard Allen

Jan

Born April 9, 1925, in Mokena, IL, son of Anton and Josephine Benson.

Graduated from Orland Park High School.

Volunteered to join the U.S. Army in June 1942. He was stationed in the Pacific Theater, and was part of the landing force on several amphibious campaigns to recapture islands, including Guadalcanal, New Caledonia, Bougainville, Lady, Sabu, New Guinea, Los Negros, landing in Japan in September of 1945.

Died May 24, 2014.

Olson Funeral and Cremation Services, Fred C. Olson Chapel, Scandinavian Cemetery.

Source: Rockford Register Star May 29, 2014