Seaman 1st Class Naval Reserve ROLAND ERICKSON

ERICKSON, GULSVIG

Posted By: Mary Durr (email)
Date: 3/27/2009 at 20:37:06

Seaman First Class, US Naval Reserve, ROLAND MILLARD ERICKSON, 1924-1945

Classmates place plaque for Roland Erickson at cemetery

[Roland Millard Erickson was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernst Gulsvig, born July 27, 1924 and died Jan. 7, 1945.]

Classmates of the late Roland Erickson, in order to acknowledge his death in service to his country, have placed a commemorative plaque in his honor at the Postville Cemetery (see photo, back page). The Plaque was furnished by the V. A. office in Waukon. A flag and staff will also be furnished in his honor, to be flown annually on Memorial Day at the cemetery, courtesy of the Arthur F. Brandt American Legion Post #518, Postville.

Roland Millard Erickson, Seaman First Class, United States Naval Reserve, died Jan. 7, 1945 of wounds suffered in action the previous day against the Japanese while serving aboard the U.S.S. California in the Lingayen Gulf, Luzon, Philippine Islands.

A memorial service was held for him at St. Paul Lutheran Church, Postville on Wednesday, Jan. 21, 1945, but no one at that time had thought to honor him with a gravestone here. He was buried at sea at the locality where he died.

Erickson, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Ernst Gulsvig, was born July 27, 1924 in Luana. He graduated from Postville High School in 1943, where he had been a star athlete, competing in baseball, basketball and football for four years.

After graduation he enlisted in the Navy, receiving his boot training at Farragut, Idaho.

Postville Herald newspaper clipping, hand dated 1993, from my mother's obituary collection.
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