Last Names N - R

  • Nelson, Robert
    February 25, 1945, Iwo Jima
    • Born in Granger, Wash., May 2, 1920, Nelson moved to Tulelake with his family at the age of 15, graduating from Tulelake High School in 1939. He worked with his brother, Bill, farming in the Basin, at the time of his enlistment on November 1, 1942. He served with the Marine Paratroops for 11 months and saw action in the battle for Bougainville. He returned home for five months when the paratroops were disbanded. Nelson joined the Marine Corps' Fifth Division, and as an infantryman took part in the invasion of Guam. He was 24 at the time of his death on Iwo Jima. Nelson's mother, Mrs. Viola Nelson of Tulelake, was informed by General A.A. Vandergrift, commanding officer of the Marine Corps, of her son's death. He was also survived by a brother, a sister, and three half-brothers.
  • Nendel, James
    October 9, 1944, England
    • Born in Oregon in 1922, Nendel attended the Altamont schools, graduating from Klamath Union High School in 1940. He was employed by Ewauna Box Co. at the time of his enlistment on March 19, 1943. He completed his training at El Paso, Texas, and was sent overseas in June of 1944, serving with the 857th Bomber Squadron, 492nd Bomber Group in England. Nendel died at the age of 22 from injuries sustained during a plane crash in Helmsfirth, England. Nendel's wife, Irene Nendel of Klamath Falls, was notified of her husband's death. He was also survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. J.L. Nendel of Klamath Falls, two brothers and two sisters. He was buried in the Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England, and received the Air Medal while stationed in England.
  • Newsom, Don
    April 6, 1945, Germany
    • Born September 19, 1914, in Prineville, Newsom attended high school in Portland, graduating in 1932. As a resident of Klamath County, he was employed by the California Oregon Power Co., and affiliated with the Oregon State Industrial Accident Commission at the time of his enlistment on April 22, 1942. Serving as a Technician Fourth Class with the Army's 533rd Division Ordinance Maintenance Company, Newsom was sent overseas in February of 1944. Newsom's wife, Ruth Newsom of Klamath Falls, was notified of her husband's death. He was 30. Newsom was also survived by his mother, Mrs. Goldie Newsom, of Klamath Falls. He was buried at Lorraine American Cemetery, St. Avold, France.
  • Nord, Richard L.
    June 5, 1943, South Pacific
    • Born in Oregon in 1923, Nord a resident of Klamath County, enlisted with the U.S. Army Air Corps on July 17, 1942. His mother, Mrs. Ivy Nord of Klamath Falls, was informed of her son's death. He was 19.
  • Olson, Marshall
    March 12, 1945, France
    • Born in Wisconsin, Olson was a resident of Klamath County for 19 years. He attended school in Keno, and prior to his enlistment on April 28, 1944, was employed as a driver with Pat's Cabs. He was familiarly known around town as "Happy." As an infantryman in the U.S. Army, Olson was sent overseas February 1, 1945, serving in France. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Anton Olson of Klamath Falls, were informed of their son's death. Olson was 33.
  • Pankey, Fred Landen
    June 23, 1941, Altadena, California
    • Living in Klamath County most of his life, Pankey was a graduate of the University of Oregon. He was employed by Standard Oil Company at Chiloquin and Dorris before enlisting. Pankey served with the 77th pursuit squadron out of Hamilton Field, near Altadena, California. During a routine training flight from Muroc dry lake, Pankey, and pilot Lieut. Jesse K. Jackson, crashed on the slopes of Mount Lowe. Pankey was 32 at the time of his death. Pankey was survived by his bride of two weeks, Betty Heath Pankey of Sacramento, formerly of Fort Klamath, and his mother, Mrs. Maude Prindeville of Sacramento. He was also survived by his Uncle, Ivan Pankey of Sprague River, and third cousin Willis Pankey, deputy sheriff and constable at Bly. He was buried at Golden Gate National Cemetery in San Bruno, California.
  • Patterson, Ronald K.
    September 16, 1943, Guadalcanal
    • Entering the Navy from Oregon, Patterson served aboard the carrier the USS Wasp. On September 15, 1942, the USS Wasp was torpedoed by a Japanese submarine. Patterson, at the age of 24, was one of 193 crew members killed. Patterson was reported as missing on October 21, 1942, and officially reported as dead on September 16, 1943. His mother, Mrs. EE. Patterson of Medford, was informed of her son's death. He was also survived by a sister, Mrs. Phil Gustafson of Klamath Falls. Patterson was awarded the Purple Heart and his name is listed on the Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii.
  •  Patzke, Jack
    April 8, 1945, Germany
    • Born in Minnesota in 1924, Patzke graduated from Klamath Union High School and was employed by Crane Mills in Bly. He enlisted with the U.S. Army Air Corps on November 23, 1942, and was promoted to the rank of sergeant a few days before his 19th birthday. He received training in Florida and Texas, and was stationed at Scott Field, Ill., where he received his radioman training. He was serving with the 99th Bomber Group, 347th Bomb Squadron, when his plane was shot down on April 30, 1944, near Bologna, Italy. He was taken by the Germans as a prisoner of war, detained at Stalag Luft III Sagan-Silesia, Bavaria. In the winter of 1944, Patzke, along with 10,000 other allied prisoners, was forced on a 200-mile long march to a prisoner of war camp in Nuremberg. He was killed on the way to Nuremberg. Patzke's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Patzke of Bly, were informed of their son's death. The Patzke family suffered further loss on May 5, 1945, when two other children in the family - Joan and Dick Patzke - were killed in the explosion of a Japanese balloon bomb in the Fremont National Forest.
  • Pollock, Claude
    October 9, 1944, Germany
    • Born on April 28, 1921, in Mississippi, Pollock was employed locally by Wheeler Pine and Long-Bell Lumber Co. He enlisted with the U.S. Army on November 10, 1942, serving with the 26th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. Pollock's wife, Phyllis Pollock of Klamath Falls was informed of her husband's death. He was 23 years old. He was also survived by his mother, Mrs. Georgia Pollock of Merdant, Miss. He was buried at Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery in Henri-Chapelle, Belgium. Pollock was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Purple Heart.
  • Pool, Walter
    April 16, 1945, Luzon
    • Born in Oregon in 1921, Pool, also known as "Bud," graduated with the class of 1942 from Klamath Union High School. He enlisted with the U.S. Army on September 29, 1942, and was sent overseas in July of 1943. He served in Hawaii, New Guinea, the Netherland East Indies, and Luzon. Pool's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Frank Pool of Klamath Falls, were informed on May 3, 1945, of their son's death at the age of 23. The following day, the Pool's were notified of the release of another son, John R. Pool, from a German prisoner of war camp. He was also survived by another brother, Clifford Pool, working as a civilian employee with the Arabian-American Oil Co. in Arabia; and a sister, Mrs. Jane Myers of Tulelake.
  • Potucek, Emil
    October 19, 1944, Germany
    • Born in 1918 in the Malin area, Potucek graduated from Malin High School and owned and operated a farm in the area prior to his enlistment in September of 1942. He received his wings and commission on January 7, 1943, at Fort Sumner, NM., and was the first pilot on a B-17 Flying Fortress. He was sent overseas August 1, 1943, serving with the 366th Bomber Squadron, 305th Bomber Group, Heavy. Potucek was reported missing when he failed to return from a mission over Germany. It was later learned he was wounded, and died while being held as a prisoner of war by the Germans. He was 26. Potucek's wife, Marie Potucek of Malin, was informed of her husband's death. He was also survived by his father, Joe Potucek Sr. of Bonanza; mother, Mrs. Anna Potucek of Malin; two brothers and three sisters. He was awarded the Air Medal and the Purple Heart.
  • Powers, Hollis Keith
    June 25, 1943, Pomona, California
    • Born in California in 1912, Powers a former resident of Sprague River, enlisted with the U.S. Army on April 1, 1941. Powers was killed in a crash while on tank maneuvers near Pomona, California. He was 31 years old. His stepmother, Berndenia Powers of Stockton, California, was informed of his death.
  • Premo, Wesley
    March 29, 1944, Pecos, Texas
    • Born in Minnesota in 1922, Premo enlisted with the U.S. Army Air Corps on October 14, 1942. Premo was killed in a plane crash at the Army Air Field at Pecos, Texas. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. Wilford J. Premo of Klamath Falls, were informed of their son's death.
  • Pritchard, Charles E "Tommy"
    January 29, 1942, South Pacific
    • Born in Texas in 1920, Pritchard, also known as "Tommy," enlisted with the U.S. Army Air Corps on April 29, 1941. He served as a bombardier while in the South Pacific. His father, J.F. Pritchard of Keno, was informed of his son's death. Pritchard, who was 20 at the time of his death, was awarded the Air Medal and Purple Heart. His name is listed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery, Manila, the Philippines.
  • Ray, John T.
    February 11, 1943, Walla Walla Air Base, Wash.
    • Born in Idaho in 1915, Ray, also known as "Jack," enlisted with the U.S. Army Air Corps on January 23, 1942. Ray was killed in a plane crash near Walla Walla Air Base. His mother, Mrs. J. Frank Adams of Merrill, was informed of her son's death.
  • Reber, Ehle
    January 23, 1943, Europe
    • Born in California in 1920, Reber, a resident of Klamath County, enlisted with the U.S. Army Air Corps on July 15, 1941. He served as a bomber pilot of a B-17 Flying Fortress dubbed "Jerry Jinx," with the 427th Bomber Squadron, 303rd Bomber Group, Heavy based in England. A photo of Reber and the "Jerry Jinx" crew was printed in British newspapers and was used on the cover of the New York Times Magazine. Reber related to his parents in a letter home that his flying gear - including fleece-lined jacket, boots, heavy coveralls, caps, parachutes and "Mae West" life preserver - was so bulky he needed help getting into it. Reber was originally reported as missing over the Bay of Biscay following a raid over occupied Europe. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Reber of Malin, were informed of their son's death. Reber was awarded the Air Medal and Purple Heart. His name is listed on the Tablets of the Missing at Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge, England. In 2011 the air field in Malin was renamed Ehle Reber Municipal Airport.
  • Reeder, Joseph Edward
    March 31, 1943
    • Born August 28, 1917, in Alabama, Reeder, a resident of Klamath County, enlisted with the U.S. Army on October 28, 1940. He was buried at Mobile National Cemetery, Mobile, Alabama. He was 25 at the time of his death.
  • Reeves, Levi
    October 28, 1944, Leyte Island
    • Born in Eugene in 1912, Reeves moved to Klamath Falls as a young boy. He was employed by the Patterson Paint store in Klamath Falls for four years before his enlistment with the U.S. Army on January 21, 1944. He was serving with the Infantry, in the 96th Division, on Leyte in the Philippines when his family received word that he was seriously injured. Reeves died a few days later at the age of 32. His wife, Mrs. LeVerne Reeves of Klamath Falls, received word of her husband's death through a War Department telegram. He was also survived by four children; his mother, Mrs. James Reeves of Klamath Falls; a sister, and two brothers.
  • Rhinevault, George
    October 21, 1945, Adriatic Sea
    • Born in Oregon in 1925, Rhinevault lived in Klamath Falls for 18 years, attending local schools. He enlisted on December 10, 1943, and was sent overseas in September of 1944, serving as a gunner on a B-24 Liberator bomber with the 783rd Bomber Squadron, 465th Bomber Group, Heavy. He was reported as missing while on a mission over the Adriatic Sea and North Africa. His mother, Mrs. Maude Conquergood of Bonanza, was informed of her son's death. Rhinevault was awarded the Air Medal and Purple Heart. His name is listed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Sicily-Rome American Cemetery in Nettuno, Italy.
  • Rhoads, Milton
    March 2, 1945, Iwo Jima
    • Born in Medford on February 6, 1921, Rhoads moved to Klamath Falls with his parents when he was a young child, graduating from Klamath Union High School in 1940. He was employed by Rhoads Window Cleaning and was a member of the National Guard. He trained at Camp Pendleton, Oceanside, California, and Camp Elliot, San Diego, California, where he served for a while as an instructor. Rhoads fought in the Battles of Bougainville and Guam with the Marine Third Division. He served overseas for two years before his death at the age of 24 on Iwo Jima. He was originally reported as missing in action. Rhoads' wife, Louise Rhoads of Vancouver, B.C., was informed of her husband's death. He was also survived by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. a.m. Rhoads of Klamath Falls; five brothers and two sisters. He was awarded the Purple Heart and his name is listed on the Tablets of the Missing at Honolulu Memorial, Honolulu, Hawaii.
  • Ristine, Tyrus C.
    August 12, 1944, Italy
    • Born in Cainsvile, Mo., on March 12, 1911, Ristine, a resident of Klamath County, enlisted with the U.S. Army on October 3, 1942. He was serving with the 362nd Infantry, 91st Division at the time of his death at the age of 33. His parents, Mr. and Mrs. H.G. Ristine of Klamath Falls, were informed of their son's death.
  • Roberts, William
    October 11, 1941, China Sea
    • Born in 1911, Roberts lived in Klamath County for nine years and was employed at a lumber camp before his enlistment on July 28, 1941. He was serving with the Army's 31st Infantry Regiment when he was captured by the Japanese on Corregidor. He was held in a prisoner of war camp on Cabanatuan in the Philippines until October of 1944, when he was among 1,775 prisoners transported aboard the Japanese ship the Arisan Maru. The Arisan Maru was torpedoed by an American submarine approximately 200 miles off the coast of China. Only five prisoners escaped. Roberts was 22 years old. Roberts' father, Colin Floyd Roberts, of Bonanza, was informed of his son's death. He was also survived by a sister and a brother, both of Bonanza. Roberts' was awarded the Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Purple Heart.
  • Rogers, James
    October 31, 1941
    • A resident of Merrill, Rogers served as a seaman, first class with the U.S. Navy. His mother, Mrs. Anne Rogers of Orange, California, was informed of her son's death. He was 31. Rogers' name is listed on the Tablets of the Missing, at Cambridge American Cemetery, Cambridge England. He was awarded the Purple Heart.
  • Roofner, Joe Francis
    July 18, 1943, Solomons
    • Serving as a motor machinist's mate second class in the Navy, Roofner was aboard a tank landing ship, the USS-LST 342, when it was torpedoed and sunk by the Japanese in the Solomon Islands. He was originally reported as missing in action. Roofner's parents, Mr. and Mrs. John Frank Roofner of Klamath Falls, were informed of their son's death at the age of 23.
  • Russell, Clifford B.
    August 14, 1944, France
    • Born in Bozeman, Montana, on August 7, 1919, Russell moved to Fort Klamath with his parents where he graduated from Fort Klamath High School. Before enlisting in the Air Corps on July 9, 1940, he was employed in the woods by Pelican Bay Lumber Co. He received his training in Talahassee, Fla., and was the pilot of a P-47 Thunderbolt with the 510th Fighter Squadron, 405th Fighter Group stationed in England. Russell's mother, Mrs. Katy Russell of Klamath Falls, originally received word that her son was missing in action while on a mission. He was 25. He was also survived by a brother and seven sisters. Russell was buried in the Normandy American Cemetery, in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, and was awarded the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the Purple Heart.
  • Rustt, Norman Kenneth
    November 8, 1942, South Pacific
    • A resident of Klamath Falls, Rustt was serving as a bombardier with the Navy Air Corps in the South Pacific at the time of his death at the age of 19. His mother, Mrs. T.B. Rivers of Klamath Falls, was informed of her son's death.