GUSTASON, John Quentin 1925 - 1945

GUSTASON

Posted By: Joey Stark
Date: 7/4/2012 at 15:14:26

"The Fairfield Daily Ledger"
Friday, August 10, 1945
Front Page, Column 2, and
Page TWO, Column 4

C.O.s Letter Gives Detail

Details surrounding the disappearance of Aviation Radioman 2-c Quentin GUSTASON, 18, USNR, were received this morning by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Walford GUSTASON, 404 E. Burlington St., in a letter from his commanding officer, Lieut. Comdr. James D. Arbes. A. R. 2-c GUSTASON was reported as missing in action as a result of a midair collision on July 11, 1945. The letter, under the date of July 12, reads as follows:

"Dear Mr. and Mrs. GUSTASON:

I wish to give you as many of the details surrounding the disappearance of your son, John Quentin GUSTASON, as I am permitted to at this time.

"On July 11, 1945, "Gus" as radioman gunner of a bombing plane went on an operational flight over water. The plane which he was in, was observed angling close in a glide towards another plane on the same flight. Both planes collided in mid-air and crashed into the water. Exhaustive searches were conducted but no trace of the occupants were found.

"My Squadron has felt "Gus's" loss very keenly. We all liked him very much. I know that a few simple words from me can do little to lessen your sorrow in the loss of your son. I hope that you will relize that "Gus" gave his life, if such is the case, in the cause for which we are all fighting just as surely as does someone who gives theirs in time of battle. Let me extend my most sincere sympathy to you in the loss of your son. It is a loss to all of us who knew "Gus" that can never be entirely replaced. Sincerely, James D. Arbes, Lieut. Comdr, USN, Commanding Officer, Bombing Squadron Eight."

Mr. and Mrs. GUSTASON received government notification of their son's missing status, on July 13. They had received a letter on July 9, written on July 2 by A. R. 2-c GUSTASON stating that he had successfully passed his tests and had been promoted to a secondclass rating. His exact location was not stated but it was believed he was in the area of Guam or Okinawa.

He graduated from the Fairfield high school with the class of 1943 and enlisted in the navy in October of that year on his 18th birthday. He received his boot training at Farragut, Idaho, and his radio training at Memphis, Tenn., and after six weeks gunnery training at Purcell, Okla., he were presented his gunnery wings on October 22, 1944.

After bomber combat training on a Hell Diver navy bomber, at Miami, Fla., he was granted a leave in November, 1944 before reporting to San Diego, Calif. He left the states in June.

Prior to his entrance into service, A. R. 2-c GUSTASON was employed by the Louden Machinery Co.

His brother, James GUSTASON, 17, USNR is attending radar school.

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"The Fairfield (Ia.) Daily Ledger"
Saturday, October 13, 1945
Page EIGHT, Columns 4 and 5

LIST SURVIVORS OF QUENTIN GUSTASON, USNR

Among the survivors listed for Radioman 2-c Quentin GUSTASON, son of Mr. and Mrs. Walford GUSTASON, 404 E. Burlington, who lost his life as a result of a mid-air collision July 11, 1945, the names of two sisters and one brother were inadvertently omitted.

They are: Dorothy GUSTASON, chief supervisor of cryptography at Hamilton Field, Calif., Ethel Mae and David at home.

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*Transcribed for genealogy purposes; I have no relation to the person(s) mentioned.

Note: An inscription in his memory appears on his parents' gravestone in Evergreen Cemetery, Lot 3rd.182½. He is listed on the Tablet of the Missing in Honolulu, Hawaii, at the 'Punchbowl'.

Jefferson Obituaries maintained by Joey Stark.
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