World War II (WWII)

Merle H. Longnecker grew up in New Rockford, Eddy County, North Dakota. He entered the Navy in 1942 and received flight training in Washington, California, and Texas. He was commissioned an officer at Pensacola in February 1944, and while in Florida, he married Blanche Lucy, a native of West Virginia. He then was sent to Rhode Island for night-fighter training. Ensign Longnecker and his wife lived off-base at 67 Liberty Street in Westerly, Rhode Island.

Florian Sticka was born on April 16, 1921, in New England, Hettinger County, North Dakota to Raphael and Ottilia (Odilia) Frank Sticka. He entered the United States Army at Fort Snelling, Minnesota on October 22, 1942. Corporal Sticka served in the Asiatic Pacific Theater and the India-Burma-China Theatres and was killed in action during a flight of the Curtiss C-46A-5-CU #41-12287 from Sookerating Air Base, India to Kunming, China on November 24, 1943. The aircraft was shot down by a Japanese Mitsubishi A6M Zero shortly after clearing the ceiling to clear the mountains.

Name included on the All Veterans Memorial at the state Capital Bismarck North Dakota under Bottnieau/McHenry counties. Information found on page 1063 of the registry of ND Veterans World War II and Korea: NERMOE EARL T. SN 328 83 26; born Upham. NDak 1 Jun 19; resident McHenry County, NDak; entered US Navy Mpls, Minn 9 Jan 41; served Asiatic Pacific Theater; KIA 7 Dec 41 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; SN1; buried in Plot B, Grave 352-N Ft Snelling National Cemetery, Mpls, Minn. Information compiled by Dale G.

Born 12 October 1919. Father: Fred Borusky. From Register of North Dakota Veterans of World War II and Korea. Page 154: BORUSKY, EDWIN C. SN 275 541; born Langdon, NDak 12 Oct 19; resident Cavalier County, NDak; entered USMC Mpls, Minn 12 Oct 39; served Asiatic Pacific Theater; KIM 7 Dec 41 Pearl Harbor; CPL; remains not recovered.

Born 19 December 1915, Cavalier, Pembina County, North Dakota. Father William Krahn. Enlisted 12 October 1939 in Minneapolis Minnesota. From ND Registery of Veterans World War II and Korea. Page 802: FRAM, JAMES A. SN 275 556; born Langdon, NDak 19 Dec 15; resident Cavalier County, NDak; entered USMC Mpls, Minn 12 Oct 39; served Asiatic Pacific Theater; K1A 7 Dec 41 Pearl Harbor, Hawaii; PFC; remains not recovered.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty.

For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty on 12 October 1944.

Private Richard Morris Monger Name included on the All Veterans Memorial State Capitol Grounds Bismarck North Dakota under the county of Pierce. Name included on the Pierce County Memorial Monument for WWII From Peirce County Tribune Obituary: Born in Rugby North Dakota on June 14, 1919 to Mr. and Mrs. Morris Alfred Monger. He attended the Rugby schools, graduating in 1937 from high school. On May 12, 1941 Richard was inducted into the army and assigned to Camp Claiborne, Louisiana, witht hte 135th Infantry. After Pearl Harbor he was transferred to Galveston, Texas.

Born on 2 January 1919 in Pleasant Lake, he enlisted in the Navy from California on 21 May 1936 and reported for duty on USS Lexington on 8 October 1936. During the Battle of the Coral Sea on 8 May 1942, Coxswain Ramsden, a member of Lexington's crew throughout his career, remained at his exposed station, despite wounds, continuing to operate a rangefinder in the face of intense Japanese strafing and dive-bombing attacks until he died. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star.

Carl E. Vettel was born October 2, 1919 in Caledonia, ND to Walter and Frances Vettel, the first of 12 siblings.