World War II Honoree

Delbert Edmund Arterburn

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Blue Hill, Nebraska

Honored By

Josh Arterburn

Relationship

Grandson

ENTERED ACTIVE SERVICE AT FT. CROOK, NEBRASKA, ON OCTOBER 12, 1942. HE WAS THEN SENT TO LA JOLLA, CALIFORNIA FOR ANTI-AIRCRAFT ARTILLERY TRAINING. ON APRIL 24, 1943, AFTER COMPLETION OF HIS TRAINING, HE EMBARKED FROM SAN FRANCISCO, CALIFORNIA WITH BATTERY G OF THE 78TH COAST ARTILLERY REGIMENT. ON MAY 11, 1943 THE 78TH ALONG WITH THE REST OF THE 7TH INFANTRY DIVISION PARTICIPATED IN THE INVASION OF ATTU, ALASKA. THE ONLY BATTLE OF WWII THAT TOOK PLACE ON AMERICAN SOIL. AFTER 19 DAYS OF BRUTAL BATTLE ENDING WITH A FINAL BANZAI CHARGE BY THE JAPANESE THE ISLAND WAS RETAKEN.