- Name: Chester "Chet" Henry Conway
- Location of Birth: Frazee, Minnesota
- Date of Birth: June 19, 1923
- Date of Death: April 16, 2008
- Parents: Jesse Conway & Grace (Bernard) Conway
- High School and Class: 1941 Greenway High School, Coleraine, Minnesota
- College:
- Highest Rank: RM2 (Radioman Petty Officer 2nd Class)
- Branch: Navy
- Other Branch:
- Date Sworn In: May 3, 1943
- Place Sworn In: Fort Snelling, Minneapolis, Minnesota
- Date of Discharge:
- Place of Discharge:
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Units and Locations:
Start Date End Date Unit(s) and Location(s) Served May 1943 U.S. Naval Training station, Farragut, Idaho - Military Awards:
- Military Highlights:
WW II Draft Registration Cards – 10/16/1940 – 03/31/1947
State: Minnesota
Name: Chester Henry Conway
Race: White
Age: 19
Birth Date: June 19, 1923
Birth Place: Frazee, Minnesota
Residence Place: Bovey, Itasca, Minnesota, USA
Registration Date: June 30, 1942
Employer: Oliver Iron Mining Co., Coleraine, Minnesota
Weight: 160
Height: 6-1
Complexion: Ruddy
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Brown
Other Characteristic: Scar on right forehead
Next of Kin: Grace Carno, mother, Rt. 2, Bovey, Minnesota
Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota - May 28, 1943 - "Farragut, Idaho, May 19. - Chester Henry Conway, son of Mr. and Mrs. Jesse Conway and George Dotlich, son of Mr. and Mrs. M. Dotlich of Bovey began their recruit training this week at Farragut, the second largest U.S. Naval Training Station. While they are in training here, they will learn military discipline, the fundamentals of seamanship, and undergo riggerous physical hardening. Upon graduation they will either be sent to a Navy Service school, many of which are located at Farragut, for additional training in a specialized field or ordered to join the combat forces of the U.S. fleet in action against the axis."
Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota - January 26, 1945 - "Dear Mrs. Deal: It is a comforting feeling to know that you are not forgotten by those at home, even though thousands of miles separate us, and I take this opportunity in which to thank you and the ladies aid for the lovely Christmas greeting that I have just received. I wish to thank you especially for writing a few lines, it was very nice. I have been out here for quite some time as you know, and I certainly miss Northern Minnesota home. I never thought that I would ever want for snow, but now a good old blizzard would be a blessing in this sweltering heat. It just saps all the energy out of a person. I find myself wanting to do nothing but sleep. Phooey on the enchanting blue waters of the Pacific. I'll take my life with a little seasoning. I get a copy of the Bovey Press once in a while. Usually a couple months old but nevertheless I read every bit of it, right down to what movies are showing. I find your column quite interesting, especially about the fellows who are fortunate enough to be home on furlough. I see all your boys are making good progress in the service; that's fine. We'll all be home pretty soon and then comes the big celebration you mentioned. As, yes! Chet Conway
P.S. Do I get a beer on the house when I come home???
Newspaper article: Nov 1945 – Aboard the Fleet Oiler USS Calinete, Tokyo Bay – (Delayed) - Chester H. Conway, radioman, second class of Bovey, had the opportunity of visiting Yokohama and Tokyo on liberty while serving on this ship as she rode at anchor in Tokyo Bay. She was on duty with the Service Force supporting the Naval occupational patrol forces assigned to Japan. The crew members saw at first hand the damage done by the B-29’s before the end of hostilities. The Caliente took part in a number of major operations, including Saipan and Tinian, before moving to Tokyo bay to complete her role in the war.
After completing active duty, Chet served in the Naval Reserve, retiring with over 25 years of service. - Wars Involved:
World War II
Korean Conflict - MIA / POW:
- Civilian Life:
Chester Conway lived in Lawrence Lake Twp., Itasca County, Minnesota. prior to entering service. He served for 34 years with the Minnesota State Patrol in the dispatch department in Brainerd, Thief River Falls, & Detroit Lakes, retiring in 1986 as the communications supervisor for the district. He moved to Troy, North Carolina to be near family and worked as a dispatcher for the Montgomery County, North Carolina Sheriff’s office. In 1991 he applied for and became a Magistrate for Montgomery County, retiring in 2004. He volunteered at a local floral shop as deliveryman.
Chet died in Troy, North Carolina and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia (Sec. 5-X, Row 4, Site 1). He is survived by sons, Douglas J. Conway, Steve Conway, Dan Schmidt, David Conway; daughters, Jennifer Sanders, Debbie Warner, Pamela White, Alicia Kohler, Patricia Wooden; a brother, James Conway; 20 grandchildren; and three great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife Carol Marie Singer Conway in 2003. - Tribal Affiliation(s):