VOL. 1 JANUARY 2014 NO. 71 By Jim Crowell, Gazette Editor On the morning of May 26, 1943, an event of enormous impact on the life of a young Bend man played out on the cold, wind-swept island of Attu in the Aleutian chain, 1,557 miles north and west of Juneau, Alaska. The raw courage that Corporal George W. Mirich exhibited that day earned him the U.S. Army’s second highest citation for individual bravery and made him a genuine war hero who was later assigned to war bond rallies and morale boosting tours throughout the U.S. The attached stories by war correspondents lists Mirich from Klamath Falls but he was a Bend High School graduate, class of 1935, and lived here most of his life. The story provided an entire chapter in the reporter’s book, “Bridge to Victory.” As a Bend High school student in the 1950s, I came across “Bridge to Victory” in the Deschutes County Library and became fascinated with the Mirich story. One night, I stopped his Mobil Oil Gas station on the corner of Bend and Franklin (the site is now occupied by Mirror Pond Cleaners”) to buy a few gallons of gas and perhaps talk with him about Attu. Like a lot of World War II veterans, Mr. Mirich was not inclined to re-visit his combat experiences …particularly to a 17-year-old kid with zero interviewing skills. It was the last time I spoke with Mr. Mirich. He died in a car wreck in Madras about 10 years later. (Continued on page 2) Cprl. George Mirich Bend War Hero
Transcript
VOL. 1 JANUARY 2014 NO. 71
By Jim Crowell, Gazette Editor
On the morning of May 26, 1943, an event of enormous impact on the life of a young Bend man played out on the cold, wind-swept island of Attu in the Aleutian chain, 1,557 miles north and west of Juneau, Alaska. The raw courage that Corporal George W. Mirich exhibited that day earned him the U.S. Army’s second highest citation for individual bravery and made him a genuine war hero who was later assigned to war bond rallies and morale boosting tours throughout the U.S.
The attached stories by war correspondents lists Mirich from Klamath Falls but he was a Bend High School graduate, class of 1935, and lived here most of his life. The story provided an entire chapter in the reporter’s book, “Bridge to Victory.”
As a Bend High school student in the 1950s, I came across “Bridge to Victory” in the Deschutes County Library and became fascinated with the Mirich story. One night, I stopped his Mobil Oil Gas station on the corner of Bend and Franklin (the site is now occupied by Mirror Pond Cleaners”) to buy a few gallons of gas and perhaps talk with him about Attu. Like a lot of World War II veterans, Mr. Mirich was not inclined to re-visit his combat experiences …particularly to a 17-year-old kid with zero interviewing skills. It was the last time I spoke with Mr. Mirich. He died in a car wreck in Madras about 10 years later.
(Continued on page 2) Cprl. George MirichBend War Hero
DESCHUTES PIONEERS’ GAZETTEPage 2
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Official Commendation
Awards of the Distinguished Service Cross: Under the provisions of AR 600-45, as amended and authority of radiogram from the Commanding General, West Defense Command, dated 19 May, 1945, the Distinguished Service Cross was awarded to the following named officers and enlisted men by the Commanding General, landing Forces, United States Troops, Attu, Alaska:
GEORGE W. MIRICH, Army serial number 39303170, sergeant (then corporal), Army of the United States. For extraordinary heroism in action at Attu Island, Alaska, May 26, 1943. When his battalion was advancing on Japanese-held Chichagof Pass, Corporal Mirich, a company clerk, at his own request was acting as leader of a rifle squad. His company met intense fire from commanding enemy positions above the line of attack and progress was slowed. Alone and on his own initiative, Corporal Mirich rapidly moved around the flank, and climbed a steep precipitous incline to reach the Japanese entrenchments. With rifle fire and grenades he cleaned out five enemy foxholes. His gun jammed. He then used his bayonet until it was broken. Corporal Mirich without hesitation continued the attack, using only his rifle butt. His infinite courage and skill in executing the attack and liquidation of the enemy strong point enabled his platoon to advance and mop up surrounding enemy positions. Later in the day, as he led his squad in assaulting a hill dominating the pass, Corporal Mirich was wounded. Entered military service from Bend, Oregon”
A.V. Arnold Brigadier General, U.S.A. Commanding
DESCHUTES PIONEERS’ GAZETTE Page 3
promotion to sergeant for valor in deadly Aleutian Islands campaign
(left)Mirich’s grave at the Pilot ButteCemetery in Bend.
(right) George Mirich at his Franklin
Avenue Mobil Oil service station
with a Deschutes River trout.
(Photos and clippingscourtesy of Linda Mirich Gelbrich)
DESCHUTES PIONEERS’ GAZETTEPage 4
1917, Neil Farnham1918, Helen Varco Brown (Queen 2007), Collena Spangler Gales1919, James McClain, John E. Myers, Doris Dewhurst Sholes (Queen 2002), Wanda Boardman Truett1920, Jack Grant Brinson (President 1986), Vadabelle Dodson Brumblay, Arline Hufstader Mathney, Leona McFadden Osmundson1921, Marjorie Burgess Harris1922, Mahlon Couch (President 1990), Gerogia Edgington Gallagher, (Queen 2008), J. Pat Metke, Ursula (Polly) Metke1923, Betty Jean Erickson Clark, Leon E. Devereaux, Jackie Steidl Fretwwell, Ivan Jensen1924, Helen Rastovich Barrett, Jeanne Burrows Kirsch, Barbara Fossen Parr, Harry Peterson (President 2007), Irene Peterson, Ruth Thalhofer, Margaret McCallum Yetter1925, Eugene M. Brick, Don E. Franks, Eva Dodson Gassner (Queen 2006), Bain Low, Kenneth C. Low, Vivian Ludwig, Dotson Merritt, Jeanice Pursel Raper, Dan Rastovich (President 1992), Margie McFadden Rouse, Margaret Runge Smith1926, Donna Werner Clark (Queen 1998), Marian Mowery Devereaux, James Fairchild, Ted M Freeman, Irene Vaughn Gallagher, Patricia Moore Howard, Robert LeBlanc, Paula Loree Lewis, Walter L. Peterson, Betty Jo Terwilligar Rhoden, Doris Bodvick Thompson, Ann Pastulovich Weathersbee1927, Pat Corliss Dodge, Don L. Ferguson, Patricia Muir Gibson, Joyce Armstrong Gribskov, Wilma Fickas Merritt, Shirley Gribskov Ray (Queen 2009), Carol Houck Andrews Wallan, Marjorie Wilson1928, Helen Henry Johns Brown, Laurence Alan Dyer, Jewell L. Black Gates, Janet Johnson Halligan, Atlee L. Hawes, Delores Jensen, Patricia Moffitt Jensen, Robert Jensen, Charles G. Majnarich, Marie Murphy Mills, Jacqueline Hahn Plath, John R. Robertson, Jackie Loomis Speedling1929, Barbara Skinner Buxton (Queen 2012), Lola Shipman Craig, Virginia Russell Ferguson, Lucy Slate Halverson, Louise Tekampe Hamby, Doris McFadden Hassler, Lucille Johnson, Grace Vandevert McNellis, Marilyn Scott Meyers, Barbara O’Grady Phillips, Peggy Posey, Eva Moore Rosenauer, Mary Lynne Scott Seidler, Barbara Vandevert Waldow1930, Kenneth N. Blakely, Shirley McCallum Kilpatrick, Guy Kulstad, Carolyn Blakely Nelson, Betty Bradetich Slate1931, Doris Marie Drost-Bennett, Rita Rosengarth Dutton, Dorothy Hanneman Ludwig, Marilyn Walter Russell, Geraldine Snider, Anna Jean Davis Voos1932, Dennis Berrigan, Richard D. Daoust, Peggy Marie Terwilligar Jaques, Robert K . Moody, Helen D. Filey O’Brien, Donna J. Slate Robertson, Marcia Skjersaa Rose, Ray G. Spencer, Loyd R. Vincent1933, Patricia D. Stokoe Burleigh, Donna Jean Holman Daoust, Alice J. Valitchka Dunlap, James Gilliland, Gwen Russell Holliday, Wilma Kirby Low, Mack Malone, Margaret Hanson Moore1934, William J. Baer, Clara Skjersaa Gilliland, Catherine Brogan Logan, Joanne DeCarufel Lubke, Mary Hanson Mikesell, Christine Ryman Mitchell, Verle L. Mitchell, Gordon Moore, John Overbay, Donna Roberts Staples, Kenneth H. Tiller, Joanne Van Sickle1935, Marilyn Waterman Baer, Betty-Marie Marsha Hunt Baker, Kay F. Meagher Cardin,
A. Gard Eriksen, Darrell W. ‘Chuck’ Halligan, Stuart D. Huettl, Ruth Seiber Kiel, John B. Kulstad, Barbara Loehr, Betty Ives Moffitt, Gary Monical, Yvonne Wagner Overbay, Clyde Penhollow, Arnie Reinhart, Paulette Reinhart, Jerry W. Rice, N. Pauline Slate Robeck, Alex ‘Tom’ Rutherford, Oma Sage, Sally Thompson, Charles Glenn Whitman1936, Robert C. Brown, Clarence D. Cook, Lloyd Alfred Dunlap, Loretta Fread, William J. Lehto, Carroll D. Penhollow, Dwayne Rosebrook, Kay D. Thompson, Helmer C. Wallan1937, Bruno B. Baer, Charlene Chopp Blahnik, James A. Burleigh, Jean Drost, Robert O. Dunlap, Merrilyn M. Rose Mastrud, Paul Reynolds, Anton Rustand, Donna Gumpert Rustand, William E. Snider, James E. Staples (President 2009), Anne McKay Welch, Elwin D. ‘Jake’ Woerner1938, Barbara Slack Boynton, Mary Jane Spencer Everist, Jean Shirtcliff Garrett, Sheila Wentland Kelly, Curtis M. Lantz, Phyllis Cole Long (Queen 2011), Beverly Hanson Moody, Thomas H. O’Grady, Oliver J. Oatman, Janice M. Dumler Rogerson, Tony Rosengarth (President 2006)1939, Linda Fountain Bostic, Charles William ‘Bill’ Boyd, Donald W. Huettl, Frances Webster Mills, Betty Bonsell Quant, Sharron Matson Rosengarth, Ethelene W. Sachtjen, Sheila Guiney Stokes, Thomas R. Welbourn, Patricia Coleman Whitney1940, Margaret Ann Williamson Cole, James L. Crowell, Gordon Dahlin, Phoebe Hafstad DeGree (Queen 2010), Dennis R. Douglass, Elsa Ruth Poetschat Douglass, Andrea M. Hunnell DuPree, Miles J. Hutchins, Roma McComb Iverson, Gary Kelley, Karen E. Leagjeld, Marie Cox Low, Charleen Dahlin McKee, Ronald R. Mowry, Lennard Sholes, Iris Tetle, Kathleen O’Grady Tiller, Patricia Maddox Welbourn1941, Earl Clausen, Bill Hedger, Patricia Hollenbeck Moyer, Glen Raymond1942, Gary Cecil, Michael M. Daly, Ben Graffenberger, Joyce Williams Peters, Gail Hamby Phillips1943, Thelma Wilson Bradetich, Roger I. Brown, Marjorie A. Humphrey Clark, Sonja Hjelseth Huettl, Vicki Hill Malone, Shirley J. Scheiber Montgomery, Janice Monical Newson, Michael Penhollow, Lee Ann (Luckenbill) Raymond, Betty Lou Segerstrom, Ina Shobert1944, Patricia O’Day, Richard A. Pangburn, Susie Chopp Penhollow, Garry L. Peterson, Jacqueline G. Peterson, Joe F. Quant, Helen Anderson Sherman, Kim D. Ward1945, Kay Coyner, Arlene Elva Chaney Danison, Sue A. Fountain, Betty J. Chaney Fullerton, Gerald E. ‘Jake’ Jaques, Patrick Kelly (President 1996), Rosella J. Lehto, Doris N. Triplett Madden, Ronald Phillips, Ann Reynolds, June McDowell Rogers, Louis G. Rogerson, Delores Snyder Vincent1946, E. Beatrice Allgood, Charles Blackshear, Ruth Cox Burleigh (Queen 2013), Brenda Chapin, Bette Crabtree, Dewey Dietz, Eleanor Olson Dobson, Chester E. Fullerton, Lester ‘Les’ Hilgers, Beverly Anliker Hill-Casper, Joanne E. Luke, Greg Hunt, Nyla Lundgren, Sharon Rector Penhollow, Dave Phillips, Betty Anliker Pitmon, Fred W. Raycraft, C.A. Tony Rizzutto, William H. Sage, Sharon Peterson Schaedler, Sharon Fountain Stasiowski, Linda D. Matson Stephenson, Elaine Swanzy, Sam E. Taylor, Joanne Darst Ulrich1947, Jean Fraser Curl, Gary N. Davis, Luella Sigmund Dietz, Grover Earp, Karol Fuqua
Gribskov, Shirley J. Landers, Margaret Lehnertz, Suzanne Maker, Eloise M. McClain, Guy Meritt, Cliff Nelson, Karen Devereaux Nielsen, Scott M. Nielsen, Karen McCloskey Peterson, Doris Lytle Priday, Bob D. Rountree, Jim Schaedler, Delane Sholes, Jon C. Sholes, Nanette Shoults Sholes, Janet Ketcham Smith, Candy Hanson Uptegrove, Geri A. Brown Van Matre, Candace Weaver Williamson, Dell Yates1948, Barbara Bergseng, Charles Bergseng, Mary Berrigan, Clara Cannon, Pauline Coomler, Darlene Harris Gaines, Bette Jo Hagen, Carla Jo Carlton Hunt, Ruth Jones Kennedy, Jeanne R. Miltenberger, Rebecca Moffitt, Roy A. Moffitt, William J. Olsen (President 2008), Carolann Sawyer Penhollow, David Rixe, Priscilla K. Coe Ross, Patrick L. Schatz, Steve C. Scott, Sig Skavlan III, Wayne Van Matre1949, Kathryn D. Bircher, Cinthia Segerstrom Blair, Betty Grace Haglund Dyer, Harry Fagen Sr., Gary Gassner, Harold ‘Harry’ Mastrud, Lowell O. Mastrud, Dorothy Crouch Olsen, Marjorie Louise Smith, Everett Turner, Jack Weathersbee1950, Shirley Boyd, William J. Brennan, Muriel Finley, Dennis L. Gallagher, Aloha M. Hammond Harris, Robert A. Jensen, Carol Pedersen Jensen, Gordon Lehto, Ceil McNamee, Kenneth H. Miltenberger, Ronald A. Moffitt, Evelyn Ritter Pence. Stephen J. Pence, William Robeck1951, David R. Burleigh, Marcia Clark-McKitrick, Kenneth B. Holden, David J. Kremers, Gloria Loraine Kunerth, Sheila Myers, Michael D. Reif, Emma M. Humbert Roseberry, Barbara J. Lindsey Watters, Susie Fagan Wirges1952, Anthony Arbow, Linda S. Bach, Marilyn Moffitt Constable, Greg Fulton, John C. Diehl, Daryl McMeen, Robert Orr, Sharon Boesch Phillips, Leeann Smith Scott, Ralph P. Thomas, Marilyn Marker Yates1953, Mark Carlton, Joyce D. Rohrback Dunlap, Craig A. Gribskov, Michael Jensen, Polly Gribskov Lisle, Marilyn Miltenberger McFarlane, Clifford Rose, Betty L. Young1954, Jana Brandsma Arbow, Patricia L. Bells, Kathy Blake, Dan Brandis, Vivian M. Pearson Bristol, Sarah Lingerfelt Elmer, E. Laverne Eriksen, Curtis S. Jantz, Susan Ettinger Schneider, Gerald Sherman, Peggy Spence, James Thompson, Lloyd L. Williams, Mark Wirges, Jennie Plath Unverzagt1955, Mary R. Busche, Kim Snider Carpenter, Kenneth I. Davis, Mike Genna, Peggy Bradetich Jensen, Maria McClain Madden, Debra Welch McKenzie, Patricia Wolff Moen, Sandra M. Crawford Senger, Marla S. Rutherford Stidham (President 2013), Mary Graham Winter1956, Greg Brown, Bessie Davenport Heath, Katherine S. Holden, Ryan Garnet Johnson McKinnon, Cynthia L. Varco, Robert Dale Varco1957, James W. Barrett III, Sylvia Brixey Cummings, Karen Kratke Duncan, John A. Ensworth, Alan D. Nelson, Mark Young1958, Ann V. Biesecker, Wilburn Dodge, Patricia Gassner, Clay D. Penhollow, Bonnie B. Hunt Ward, Anne Wrede, Glenn Wrede1959, Debbie Nelson Anderson, Robert Anderson, Michael William Bach (President 2012), Dean Cannon, Mitchel E. Creegen, Buck Davis, Valerie Clark Henry, Dorothy Lehto, Jane Foster Schroeder1960, Evelyn M. Westwang Brown, Fawn Hedger, Elisabeth H. Grayber Satterlee, Jennifer Stenkamp1961, Dean Cardin, Robert Greenlee, Penny L.
Deschutes Pioneers Association Membership 2013
DESCHUTES PIONEERS’ GAZETTE Page 5
Meister, Bobby J. Meritt, Nancy A. Rastovich Poirier, Vern Robinson, George Stephenson, Catherine Sutherland Thompson, Curt Tisdel, Michelle Kelly-Tisdel, Coleen Williams Varco, Eugene Wegner, Sally Stinnette Wegner1962, Robert J. Fincham Jr., Frances Malmstrom Greenlee, Doug ‘Sparky’ Lisle, Tami Meritt, Kay L. ‘Katie’ Tubbs Rixe, Barbara Dodson Robinson, Larry Ulrich, Sally J. Ward1963, Ardyce Lund Berg, Janice K. Brinson Carter, Matt S. Cyrus, Ed Landers, Helen G. Runger Lund1964, Andrew Brinson, Darlene Gottfried Child, Jeff Kennedy, Lisa Clarke Landers, Diane N. Brinson Reif, Charles A. Rieb, Martha Brown Rieb, D. Scott Sholes1965, David Blahnik, James R. Jenkins, Chareen Penhollow Kayser, Anton Rustand, Steve Unverzagt1966, Judith M. Crowell1967, Chris Carter, Lorena Macfarlane VanBuren, Michelle Young1968, Drew Dahlgren, Judy E. Llewellyn, Norm Thrasher1969, David G. Boynton,Sr., Sue Stahl Fredrickson, Doris Ching Lantz, Judy Long, Della McKay Tennant1970, Gene Cota, Tye Farnsworth, Tracy A. Huettl, Sharon D. Coffman Mastrud, Ronald D. Ricketts, Mary Ann Kosydar Ricketts1971, Elizabeth Bolles, Charles E. Nelson III1972, Judith S. Blane Ensworth, Beverly Miller Fagen1973, Tucker Williamson1974, Dolores E. Carriere Prosser, James L. ProsserASSOCIATE MEMBERS(Less Than 40 Years Residence)1975, Cheryl A. Davis, Lonnie E. Waak, Marilyn E. Campbell Waak1976, Christina Rivalli Diehl, Carol Coulter Oatman1977, Bonnie McKean Boyd1978, Ken Carpenter, Lori Vencill1979, Rebecca Zekmeister Brinson1980, Lori J. Huettl, Leslie J. DeLangh LaClair, Jody A. Steward Schatz1983, Duke Duncan1984, Rebecca L. Brooks Nelson, Darlene D. Asplund Smith1986, Katy Crockett Ipock, Marjorie Barth Kocher1987, Donna Brown1988, Darlene Kaptur Daly, Laverne Young Robison, Richard Robison1990, Carla C. Borovicka, Janice S. Graffenberger1991, Dana Horton Lumpkin, Carol Schatz1996, David A. Smith1998, Rhodora M. Frahm Cook2001, Eva Dean Keith Freeman, Marie-Eve Takla2005, Claudia Grundy Carmichael, Tim Carmichael2006, Joe Stidham2010, Georgialee Baker Huettl Kay L. Bekooy Brennan Billie M. Majnarich Cheryl D. Nelson Ron Peters Glen Seidler
QUEENS PRESIDENTS1947-1948 Carl Johnson1949 Mary Todd Bennett E.A. Smith1950 Pearl Vanderpool Becker Edna Brinson1951 Myrtle Shepard Thompson LeRoy Fox1952 Anna Thompson Claude Vandevert1953 Addie Triplett William J. Burton1954 Luella Griffin R.D. Ketchum1955 Flossie Smith Chester Springer1956 Mary Kelley Craig Coyner, Sr.1957 Elizbeth Bogue Lowell Jensen1958 Florence Spencer Dean Hollinshead1959 Mary Hoover Robert Keyes1960 Katie Ruble Claude Kelley1961 Belle Read Claude Kelley1962 Isa Cora Freeman Sreve Steidl1963 Rose Gibson D. Ray Miller1964 Florence Pitman Stout Antone Fossen1965 Viola Logan Cecil Moore1966 Carrie Stevens Ole Grubb1967 Georgia Thom C.L. Allen1968 Minnie Helfrich R.A. Long1969 Gracie Evans Grimes Clarence Boyd1970 Nora Russell McMeen George Hostetler1971 Agnes Grubb Stanley Scott1972 Dorothy Vandevert Carol Boyd1973 Eva Slack Michael Mahoney1974 Ruth Barnes Mel Munkers1975 Elsie Horn Williams Mel Munkers1976 Vi Mayne Franks Rodney Rosebrook1977 Martha Conklin Ben Graffenberger1978 Martha Long Priday Holmes1979 Elnora Dodson Sam Johnson1980 Sophia Gibson Alfred Triplett
QUEENS PRESIDENTS1981 Lily Hollinshead Helmer Gustafson1982 Anna McDonald Cloer Robert Foley1983 Marjorie Hoover Tromblee Hugh Simpson1984 Ida Niswonger Reynolds Virgil Henkle1985 Helen Tweet Evans Dale McMeen1986 Edith Swick Kostol Jack Brinson1987 Edna Ogle Skjersaa Gordon McKay1988 Laura Lakin Wonser Paul Reynolds1989 Marjorie Smith Rollie Anderson1990 Jeanette Keyes Stollmack Mahlon Couch1991 LaDessa Chapman Walter Larry Lermo1992 Millie Rastovich Chopp Dan Rastovich1993 Mable Rosebrook Herb Maker1994 Phyllis Fischer Herling Jim McClain1995 Lois Maker Gumpert Russ Kiel1996 LaVerne Gove Hanshew Pat Kelly1997 Lena Freeman Myers Larry Huettl1998 Donna Werner Clark Omar Moffitt1999 Catherine Hellmann Lee Maker2000 Maude Compton Monical Tom Larsen2001 Leatha Harrington Huettl Bert Merrifield2002 Doris D. Sholes Dave Phillips2003 Oma Sage Roger ‘Rod’ Smith2004 Elizabeth (Becky) Johnson Leon Devereaux2005 Alice Bishop Helmer Wallan2006 Eva Dodson Gassner Tony Rosengarth2007 Helen Varco Brown Harry Peterson2008 Georgia Edgington Gallagher Bill Olson2009 Shirley Gribskov Ray James E. Staples 2010 Phoebe Hafstad DeGree Jon Sholes2011 Phyllis Coe Long Leon Devereaux2012 Barbara Skinner Buxton Michael Bach2013 Ruth Cox Burleigh Marla Rutherford Stidham
Past Queens and Presidents
MEMORIALS 2013
January–Jon Joseph Thalhofer, Gale R. FinleyFebruary – Ed CrabtreeMarch – Laurene A. Boardman, Wayne MontgomeryApril – Edward C. SpringMay – Jenny Valley-KremersJune – Greta (Skjersaa) CecilJuly - Connie E. Miller Tyson, Olive FordhamSeptember – Kathryn “Kitty” RutherfordNovember – Richard Nelson, Russell Kiel, Neil Davis
2013 DESCHUTES PIONEERSASSOCIATION OFFICERS
President .. Marla (Rutherford) Stidham1st Vice President .......... Jerry Sherman2nd Vice President ............Greg FultonSecretary ........................... Pat GassnerTreasurer ..................... Carolyn NelsonMembership .......................Linda BachRememberance ............ Eloise McClainGazette Editor ...................Jim Crowell
Dues are $7.50 per person,$15.00 per couple
Mail To:
Linda Bach19697 Manzanita Lane
Bend, OR 97702
DESCHUTES PIONEERS’ GAZETTEPage 6
Act of combat heroism propels Bend man into national
George Mirich as a dapper veteran
after World War II
Mirich, a scratch bowler poses on Brooks Park,
upstream from the Old Newport Avenue Bridge
DESCHUTES PIONEERS’ GAZETTE Page 7
headlines and role in nation’s war bond drive efforts
Sgt. George Mirich was not the only Bend High School graduate to see combat action in the brutal Aleutian campaign against Japanese forces.
On the Monday following the Sunday, December 7 Japanese attack on Pearl
Harbor, ten young Bend men went to the U.S. Post office on Wall Street to volunteer for military duty. One of the first was Art Wallan, a junior at Bend High School. Six months later, on June 3, 1942, Wallan and his entire U.S. Navy gun crew were killed by a direct hit by Japanese bombing at Dutch Harbor in the Aleutians.
The other Bend youngsters who volunteered for duty on December 8 were William P. Ludwig, Layton R. Ballard, Allen L. Chapman, Kenneth A. Abbott, Jimmie L. Carlton, David Dubendorf, and
Aleutian combat claimed one of first 10 Bend volunteersDon R. White, LeRoy H. Fassett, and John Robinson.
Wallan was Bend’s first World War II casualty to be returned for burial at the conclusion of the war. His remains were brought home to Bend in the fall of 1948 and he was laid to rest at Greenwood Cemetery.
The entire Wallan family served in the U.S. military before and during World War II. Young Wallen’s father, Fritz Wallan, an infantry veteran of World War I, enlisted after the Dutch Harbor death of his son. He was a chief petty officer. He served in the Pacific theatre, as did two younger Wallan brothers, Helmer and Verne. Helmer served in the Seabees as a boatswain’s mate and Verne on the U.S.S. Petrof Bay which saw combat action at Leyte Gulf, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. An older Wallan brother, Floyd, had joined the Army in the late 1930s and was called back for service in the spring of 1941. He was in the U.S. Army hospital in Vancouver, WA., at the time of the Pearl Harbor attack, recovering from frost bitten
feet that he suffered while at Dutch Harbor.
“I was staying alone in Bend that summer of 1942 when I got the word about my brother,” says Helmer, now a resident of Madras. “My mom was in Portland taking care of another brother, Floyd, and my dad was helping build the airport at Pendleton. My younger brother Verne was working in the pea fields near Pendleton. A bunch of us Bend High guys had been swimming at Tumalo Reservoir that day and I was told that someone at the Bend telegraph office needed to talk to me. I drove downtown and parked in front of Kessler’s Ice Cream shop on Oregon Avenue. The telegraph messenger met me in the middle of the street with the news. Time just sort of stood still. I was pretty young to deal with something like that,” he says.
“My dad was so upset that he left Pendleton, came home to Bend and went right down and enlisted in the Seabees. He served 3 ½ years in the Pacific in his mid-40s.”
I do come from an Oregon pioneer family. My great-grandfather and his brothers came by wagon train to the Willamette Valley in 1846. They took up land claims at Howell’s Prairie between Salem and Silverton where my grandfather, the 15th child, was born in 1851 while Oregon was still a territory. My father was born in Mehama in 1887. By 1900, my father’s family had moved to Coos Bay. My mother was also born nearby in Ash Valley.
I was born in Marshfield in 1926 and I went to small country schools until we moved to Eugene. I was then in the seventh grade and entered into a new world. Eugene was a town with a library, big schools, a swimming pool, music lessons and places to ride a bike. My parents took me along with them fly fishing and my aunt and uncle started me skiing. I finished my schooling at Eugene High and the University of Oregon and went to Portland for a year
of training at Good Samaritan Hospital in the Medical and Technology program.
When I graduated in 1946, I came to St. Charles Hospital for my first job. I was the only person in the laboratory and I began a career which lasted 45 years and by that time the lab had grown to 85 employees.
Two years after I arrived in Bend, I married Van Burleigh and we had three sons. Van died in 1977 and now two of our sons live in Central Oregon and one in Eugene. I have two lovely granddaughters and two grandsons as well as three great grandchildren.
I have now lived in Bend for 67 years and have a wonderful life in this spot east of the mountains. Shortly before my husband died, I had been part of a group of women who started the local League of Women Voters in Bend and I became interested in city government. In July, 1974, I was appointed to fill a vacancy on the Bend City Commission and served there until
the end of December, 1986. In those very busy years, I was twice elected as mayor and it was during those years that Bend built its first real sewer system.
In 1984, I was also elected President of the League of Oregon Cities and met many people from all around the state. Involvement with our local library, Hospice (now “Partners in Care”), Central Oregon symphony groups, the Deschutes Historical Society, Family Kitchen, Boys and Girls Club and several other organizations has kept me surrounded by many interesting people. I am a member of the Nativity Lutheran Church and help with the food pantry there. I also love to cook, read, garden, hike, and travel.
I have had such enjoyment being the Pioneer Queen for 2013 and especially loved riding in the parades in the 1928 Ford touring car with all of the smiling men, women, and children along the parades’ routes.
