TROGE, Eldon Frederick 1923-2008

TROGE, MORISCHE, RAATHS, LEIGH, SCHROEDER

Posted By: K. Kittleson (email)
Date: 11/17/2008 at 10:42:36

#1:

DE PERE, WISCONSIN -- Eldon Frederick Troge, age 85, died peacefully and unexpectedly on Thursday, November 13, 2008, at his home.

Eldon was born on March 22, 1923, in rural Floyd County, Iowa, to Fred A. and Elsie (Morische) Troge.

He attended elementary and high school in Charles City, Iowa, where he made the Honor Society and lettered on the baseball and football teams. After graduation from high school, he was employed as a machinist at Oliver Farm Equipment and conducted early World War II production improvement training programs.

Enlisting in the Army Air Force in 1942, he was called to duty as a cadet in the pilot training service, with basic training at Jefferson Barracks, Mo. He attended pre-flight training at Rockhurst College in Kansas City and cadet flight training in Texas, Missouri, Kansas, South Dakota and Nebraska. Eldon was awarded his wings at Foster Field, Victoria, Texas. He received single engine fighter pilot training in the P-40 and P-47 fighters before leaving for European duty from Harding Field, Baton Rouge, Louisiana.

While overseas, he joined the 359th Fighter Squadron of the 356th Fighter Group (8th Air Force), and flew 60 combat missions over Europe mainly from Martlesham Heath Air Force Base at Ipswich, England, and was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air medal with Clusters. He led his final P-51 flights at war’s end in a victory air show over Paris, France, and when the planes were gathered together at Liverpool, England.

Upon leaving the Air Force with the rank of Captain at Santa Ana, Calif., he returned to the machinist trade prior to enrolling at the University of Colorado in Boulder. He earned his Bachelor’s degree in business in three years and graduated with scholastic honors.

After a stint at the graduate school of the University of California, Berkeley Campus, he joined a company on the West Coast and was a contributing member in the start-up of a major ordinance manufacturing plant, later transferring to commercial machinery manufacturing. He served in management of plants on the west coast, east coast and the Midwest.

Eldon was a life long member of the Lutheran Church, being baptized at St. John’s in rural Osage and confirmed at St. John’s in Charles City and has been a member of Trinity Lutheran Church in Green Bay, Wis., for many years, active as Deacon, member of the Church council and various committees.

Survivors include his wife, Inez (Raaths) Troge; two sons and daughters-in-law, Steven and Mary Troge, Green Bay; Michael and Tracy Troge, Seymour; two daughters and sons-in-law, Barbara and Bill Leigh, Oconto, Wis.; Debra and Bill Schroeder, Kaukauna, Wis.; 11 grandchildren, Sara (Dave) Fischer, Matt and Steve Troge, Jr., Kelly (Bill) Thomson, Lori (Eric) Stenstrup, Staci Hickey, Courtney (James) Mitchell, Richard (Nicole Van Norman) Karbon, Danny Karbon, Chris Lee, Eric (Candice) Lee; eight great-grandchildren, Aaron, Paige, Brooke, Bryce, Jaden, Addison, Justice, Celes; one brother and sister-in-law, Clair and Kathy Troge, Rice Lake; three sisters-in-law, Norma Troge, Ruth Troge, Gretchen Troge; and many nieces and nephews.

He was preceded in death by his parents; a daughter, Deborah; and three brothers, Verle, Keith and Duane Troge.

Friends may call at Trinity Lutheran Church, 330 S. Broadway, Green Bay, from 9:30-11 a.m. Monday.

The Funeral Service will be held on Monday, November 17th, at the church, with the Rev. Michael Baucom officiating. Burial will be in Fort Howard Memorial Park with Military Honors in the Field of Honor.

To send online condolences, go to www.BlaneyFuneralHome.com .

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#2: (Biographical clipping)

MUSTANG PILOT
GAINS IN RANK

Charles City Airman
Made 1st Lieutenant

An 8th Air Force fighter Station, England — The promotion of Eldon F. Troge of Charles City, a P-51 Mustang fighter pilot, to the rank of 1st lieutenant has been announced by the headquarters of Lt. Gen. James H. 'Doolittle, commanding general of the 8th Air Force. He is the son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred A. Troge of 1313 G street, Charles City.

His wife, Beatrice Ann, resides at 101 West Hulin street in that city.

The pilot is a member of the 358th Fighter Group, commanded by Col. Philip E. Tukey, Jr. of Cape Elizabeth, Maine. He was commissioned on February 8, 1944, at Victoria, Texas, after training at Sikeston, Missouri, and Winfield, Kansas. Before enlisting, November 12, 1943 he was with the Oliver Farm Equipment Corporation at Charles City.

[Globe Gazette, Aug. 2, 1945]

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#3:

Photo of Eldon from World War II.

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