World War II Honoree
Civilian on the Home Front
Wilbert Ruben Handel
Hometown
Stockton, California
Honored By
Emma, Maureen, Karen, Stephen & Ronald
Relationship
Spouse and Children
After graduation from Lodi Union High School, he was hired in 1941 by the federal government to work at the Port of Stockton as a warehouse supervisor. He trained women to operate forklifts to replace the men who had gone into military service. During that time, German Prisoners of War were housed in a stockade at the Port and were used to help with warehouse duties. He was called upon to act as a German interpreter.