William Gordon Ehlers Obituary


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Submitted Jan 2006 by Nancy Russell
nanruss@icehouse.net
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Okanogan Independent, Okanogan, WA
Oct.7, 1943

Local Boy Reported Missing

Gordon Ehlers was on Transport Duty.

Wednesday afternoon wire from Washington bearer of sad news.

The town was saddened again early Wed. afternoon when a wire from the Adjunct 
General in Washington gave news that Captain Gordon Ehlers had been reported 
missing since Sept. 9th.  County Treasurer, William Ehlers and Mrs. Ehlers, 
parents, had had misgivings for some time since they had not heard from their 
son and receiving the telegram confirmed their fears.

Captain Ehlers, 23, graduate of the local high school, came here with his 
parents when an infant.  For some time he has been employed in Alaska and some 
months ago joined up with the Transport service and was recently assigned to a 
vessel as captain.  He has a brother, Robert in the service, and a sister, Mary, 
living with her parents.

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Okanogan Independent, Okanogan, WA
Oct. 21, 1943

Gave His Life

The town is shocked by the untimely death of Gordon Ehlers.

With his parents, Mr. and Mrs. William Ehlers, Gordon came to Okanogan when he 
was two years old.  He completed high school studies in Okanogan, an outstanding 
athlete, attended the University of Washington two years, and was a member of 
Kappa Sigma fraternity.  He was enlisted in the U.S. Navy, but due to previous 
eperience in Alaskan waters with a fishing fleet, the young Captain was loaned 
to the army transportation service.

At the time of his misfortune, September 9th, he lacked but three days of being 
23 years old, the youngest skipper in northern waters.

Few youngsters had more friends among both old and young as did Gordon as he 
grew up from babyhood here in Okanogan.  While here on leave recently he 
announced his future place, all of which were unselfishly built around the 
future happiness of his family-parents, brother Bob and sister Mary.  
Volunteered into one of the most hazardous missions in warfare, he gave his life 
for his country.

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http://www.usmm.org/

Chronological List of U.S. Ships Sunk or Damaged during 1943 

Date Ship Type Cause Result Location Deaths 

09/09/43 ST-35 (USAT) Harborcraft Foundered Sunk Unknown Crew 2 

Last First Position Ship Date Home Age 

Ehlers William Gordon Master USAT ST-35 09/09/43 Okanogan WA