Roseau County Historical Society and Museum -

The Cookbooks are in! This past week the RCHS 75th Anniversary Cookbook was delivered to the museum. You may pickup a cookbook at the museum or from a board member. The price is $15. With the historical photographs, rose-maling, county history and the wonderful recipes from the past and present it will make a wonderful gift.

From Roseau County Veterans Book of Honor compiled by the Veterans Memorial Park Committee.

“Harry was born on December 14, 1921 in Malung twp. to Hilma and Eric Anderson. He had five brothers.

Harry attended school at Malung, graduated from Roseau High School in 1941, and attended Glenwood Vocational School.

Harry moved to Calif. Where he worked for Lockheed Aircraft until he enlisted in the Air Corps on October 23, 1942. He received his basic training in Fairmont in Montana, Herington in Kansas and at Mathers Field in San Francisco, Ca.

Harry was a “waist gunner” on a B-29 bomber, which flew combat missions in the Pacific. He served with the 444th Bombardment Group in the Pacific Theatre.

Bombing of Japan started in the early months of 1945. During the last week of May the heaviest attacks of the war were made on Tokyo. Harry’s parents received the following message from the War Department. It was dated 26 May 1946.
“Dear Mr. and Mrs. Anderson:

Since your son, Corporal Harry R. Anderson, was reported missing in action May 25, 1945, the War Dept has entertained the hope that he survived and that information would be revealed dispelling the uncertainty surrounding his absence. However, as in many cases, the conditions of warfare deny us such information. The record concerning your son shows that he was a crewmember on a B-29 bomber, which failed to return from a combat mission on Tokyo, Japan, 25 May 1945. The mission was performed during the hours of darkness, and since no messages were received and the plane was not seen after it departed from Tinian Island, Marianas Islands, the circumstances surrounding its disappearance are not definitely known. The heaviest attacks of the war were made on Japan during the week, and on the night of the 25th the second major blow was struck against Tokyo under intense enemy opposition. In view of the fact that twelve months have now expired without receipt of evidence to support a continued presumption of survival, the war dept must terminate such absence by a presumptive finding of death.”

This official letter changed Harry’s status from Missing in Action to Declared Dead by the Adjutant General of the War Department.

A war correspondent flying over Tokyo following V-J day said that only Hiroshima and Nagasaki, the two cities which were bombed by the atom bomb, received more destruction than Tokyo. Towards the end of the war, relentless bombardment by the allied B-29s flying low-level missions caused devastating damage.

Harry was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart. He also had two brothers in the service during World II, Herman in Europe and Helmer in the Pacific.”

Information from Harold Anderson (brother) Wannaska, MN

The RCHS Veteran’s History Story project is one that will continue to recognize the men and women who have served our country and have lived in Roseau county. We encourage you to stop in and pick up a form, fill it out and bring it back with a photograph of the service people in your families, whether they have served in the past or are serving now. Rev. Jerome Nikunen commented during the 1971 Memorial Day service held in Roseau “ The next generation may not know what true freedom means unless we dedicate and commit ourselves to the cause of freedom, remembering that our liberties have been bought with a great price.” (Roseau Times-Region June 3, 1971, pg. 1) By remembering service people like Corporal Harry Anderson that we can honor those that have given us this great freedom we all enjoy.

This past month we received a memorial from Cliff Skime in memory of his wife, Ethel. We appreciate the many memorials we receive from those who have had a family member or friend passed away. Memorial donations give RCHS the opportunity to purchase archival materials, work on a special project, or purchase an item for the museum. A special thank you to those who honor family and friends by giving a memorial to the historical society.
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