Gold Stars

The following are Gold Stars from the communities of Halma and Lake Bronson to be killed in action in World War II.

Arranged in Order of the Roll Call

Locken, Olaf (KIA)
B: 18 Oct 1889, Thompson Township, near Hallock
D: 03 Oct 1918, WWI, Bois de la Naza, Argonne Forest

Served in World War I, Co D, 306th Infantry, 77th Division. Killed in action in the Argonne Forest. (Recently a movie called "The Lost Battalion" was made about this battle .... Olaf was part of this battle.

Remains of Olaf's body were never found .... his name can be found on the tablets of the missing at the Meuse-Argoone WWI Cemetary in France. The Halma-lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 is named after Olaf Locken for being the first killed in action from that vicinity. Each Memorial Day, Olaf is honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Ray, Radioman, First Class, U.S. Coast Guard, was the first boy from the communities of Halma and Lake Bronson to be killed in action in World War II. Ray is honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Ralph Pershing Johnson, Seaman, Second Class, served as an Armed Guard on the SS Plaudit. German U-181 slammed a torpedo into the Plaudit off the Southern tip of Africa. Ralph is the first boy from the communities of Halma and Lake Bronson to be killed in action in World War II during Operation Torch. He is listed among the Tablets of the Missing at North Africa American Cemetery in Carthage, Tunisia. Ralph is honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Ralph, Seaman, Second Class, US Navy, is one of the Gold Stars from the communities of Halma and Lake Bronson to be killed in action in World War II during Operation Torch. Ralph is honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Reynard O. Blomquist, 180th Infantry, 45th Division is one of the Gold Stars from the communities of Halma and Lake Bronson. Awarded the Purple Heart for being killed in action in Italy during World War II serving in the US Army. Reynard is honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Orville, Staff Sergeant US Army Air Corps, 65th Bomber Squadron, 43rd Bomber Group, is one of the Gold Stars from the communities of Halma and Lake Bronson. Awarded the Army Air Medal and also the Purple Heart for being killed in action. Orville is honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Edward W. Kushinski, Technical Sergeant US Army Air Corps, 68th Bomber Squadron, 44th Bomber Group, is one of the Gold Stars from the communities of Halma and Lake Bronson to be killed in action in World War II. Awarded the Army Air Medal with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters and also the Purple Heart for being killed in action. Edward is honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Floyd Arnold Snare served as a tank commander with the 67th Armored Regiment of the 2nd Armored Division. Landed in Casa Blanca, North Africa, Italy, DDAY earning the bronze arrowhead and 3 purple hearts. He gave the supreme sacrifice fighting in Germany after he stuck his head out of his tank. Floyd is one of the Gold Stars from the communities of Halma and Lake Bronson to be killed in action in World War II and is honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Floyd, US Army, is one of the Gold Stars from the communities of Halma and Lake Bronson to be killed in action in World War II. Served Casa Blanca, Italy, DDAY and gave the supreme sacrifice fighting in Germany. Floyd is honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Gordon George Westerberg, Machinist's Mate, Third Class, United States Naval Reserve, is one of the Gold Stars from the communities of Halma and Lake Bronson to be killed in action in World War II aboard the US Naval vessel, USS Hoel. Awarded the Presidential Unit Citation and Purple Heart for being killed in action. He is listed among the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. He has a memorial marker at the Riverside Cemetery as well. Gordon is honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Peter Lloyd Gunnarson of Jupiter Township, who distinguished himself earning the Meritorious Service Medal training at various camps throughout the US. He went overseas in August of 1944 with the 378th Infantry of the 95th Division. Lloyd as everyone knew him by, was KIA on November 16th, 1944, near Metz, Germany. The Iron Men of Metz became the nickname of the 95th Division after this battle. Lloyd is one of the Gold Stars from the communities of Halma and Lake Bronson to be killed in action in World War II. Lloyd is honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Lloyd, US 3rd Army, is one of the Gold Stars from the communities of Halma and Lake Bronson to be killed in action in World War II. Lloyd is honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Halma's Arthur Ingvald Kolberg, 20th Infantry, 6th Division was killed in action by a sniper near Lunec, Luzon. He earned the Bronze Star and is one of the Gold Stars from the communities of Halma and Lake Bronson to be killed in action in World War II. Arthur is honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service and his flag is flown at the Eidsvold Cemetery's "Avenue of Flags". "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Halma's Arthur Kolberg, US Army 20th Infantry is one of the Gold Stars from the communities of Halma and Lake Bronson to be killed in action in World War II. Arthur is honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Vernon Leroy Pearson of Poppleton served with the 9th Armored Infantry of the 6th Armored Division in World War II. He distinguished himself earning the Army Commendation Medal on December 4, 1944 leading a squad through a small village in France. Vernon was KIA in Germany exactly one year to day of joining the Army. He is one of the Gold Stars from the communities of Halma and Lake Bronson to be killed in action in World War II. Vernon is honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Vernon L. Pearson, US Army, is one of the Gold Stars from the communities of Halma and Lake Bronson to be killed in action in World War II. Vernon is honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Phillip Orlean Peterson, Private, Co. B, 32 Infantry, 7th Division was listed as missing in action and later declared killed in action. Phillip was awarded the Purple Heart for being killed in action, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean War Service Medal. His remains were never recovered. His younger brother, Marlin, was killed in action in Vietnam also. The brothers are both honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Private, B CO, 32 Infantry 7th Division of the US Army. Missing in action and later declared killed in action. Phillip was awarded the Purple Heart for being killed in action, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, and the Korean War Service Medal. His younger brother, Marlin, was killed in action in Vietnam also. The brothers are both honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Following his graduation from Lake Bronson High School in 1945, Ronald Swanson was the first ever from Lake Bronson to study at the US Naval Academy and graduated in 1952. Following his graduation he was selected for flight training at NAS Pensacola, FL. Ron was training to land his SNJ on an aircraft carrier on March 30, 1953 when he was killed. Ronald is buried at Riverside Cemetery in Lake Bronson. Ronald is honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Let us not forget Engineman Third Class Milo Steven Homstad, casualty of the Vietnam War and is on panel 53W, line 010 of the Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He served our country for one year. Milo is honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Let us not forget Captain Anton Walter Boroski, casualty of the Vietnam War. As a member of the Army Reserve, CPT Boroski served our country until June 26th, 1969 in Gia Dinh, South Vietnam. He served our country for 20 years and was 39 years old and was married with children. Anton died from pneumonia just prior to retiring as a Major serving with MACV. Boroski is on panel 21W, line 016 of the Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. Anton is honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Let us not forget Captain Anton Walter Boroski, casualty of the Vietnam
War. As a member of the Army Reserve, CPT Boroski served our country
until June 26th, 1969 in Gia Dinh, South Vietnam. He was 39 years old and was married. Anton died from illness or disease. His body was recovered.

CPT Boroski is on panel 21W, line 016 of the Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. He served our country for 20 years. Anton is honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Marlin Trent Peterson, Private First Class Co. E, 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry, 101st Airborne, US Army. Marlin can be found on Panel 14W Line 128 of the Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. Marlin's brother, Phillip, was killed in action in the Korean War. They are both honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Private First Class E CO, 2nd BN, 502nd Infantry, 101st Airborne, US Army. Marlin can be found on Panel 14W Line 128 of the Veterans Memorial Wall in Washington D.C. Marlin's brother, Phillip, was killed in action in the Korean War. They are both honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."

Severson, Orville B. (MIA)
B:
D: 02 Sep 1943, Cape Glouchester, New Britain

Orville Burton Severson, Staff Sergeant, US Army Air Corps, 65th BomberSquadron, 43rd Bomber Group, is one of the Gold Stars from the communities of Halma and Lake Bronson. Awarded the Army Air Medal and also the Purple Heart. He is listed among the Tablets of the Missing at Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines. He has a memorial marker at the Riverside Cemetery as well. Orville is honored during "Call the Roll" at the Halma-Lake Bronson American Legion Post #315 Memorial Day service. "Let us dedicate ourselves to the task of carrying on that those whom we honor shall not have died in vain."