World War II Honoree

Ervin Eugene Casper

Branch of Service

U.S. Navy

Hometown

Grand Junction, Colorado

Honored By

Orville L. Kline

Rank: Aviation Machinist’s Mate Third Class. Inducted into the United States Navy June 14, 1942 at Denver, Colorado. After completing his basic military training at the U.S. Naval Training Station San Diego, California, he was designated to attend the Navy Flight Aviation Training program. He served as a crewmember aboard a PBM-5 a twin-engine, flying Boat/Bomber, assigned to the 208th Patrol Bombing Squadron. His unit was based at the Navy Seadrome off shore of Okinawa Island Location: Northwest Pacific Theater of Operations. Saturday, July 28, 1945 he was reported as missing in action, after an attempted rough water takeoff from Okinawa. His remains were recovered, and personnel from graves and registration company, buried him in the Command Cemetery, with interment July 31, 1945 Location: Okinawa Island. In the post-war era, his family requested that he be buried with Military Honors at the Alma Cemetery, with interment March 28, 1949 in Alma, Nebraska. This American Patriot was awarded the following Decorations posthumously: Distinguished Flying Cross and the Purpled Heart. The Distinguished Flying Cross was awarded for support of operations by heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, and the Purple Heart, for his Heroism and ultimate sacrifice.