Howard Maynard Lindgren

Jeremy Anderson2020-12-19T11:00:54-06:00

Name: Howard Maynard Lindgren
Location of Birth: Battle Lake, Minnesota
Date of Birth: October 17, 1922
Date of Death: April 19, 2005
Parents: Hjalmer Lindgren & Anna (Barhaug) Lindgren
High School and Class: 1940 Greenway High School, Coleraine, Minnesota
College:
Highest Rank: SGT (Sergeant)
Branch: Army
Other Branch:
Date Sworn In: 1942
Place Sworn In:
Date of Discharge: 2 February 1946
Place of Discharge:
Military Awards:

Military Highlights:
WW II Draft Registration Cards – 10/16/1940 – 03/31/1947
State: Minnesota
Name: Howard Maynard Lindgren
Race: White
Age: 19
Birth Date: October 17, 1922
Birth Place: Battle Lake, Minnesota, USA
Residence Place: Coleraine, Itasca, Minnesota, USA
Registration Date: June 30, 1942
Employer: Oliver Iron Mining Co., Coleraine, Itasca, Minnesota
Weight: 150
Height: 5-8
Complexion: Light
Eye Color: Blue
Hair Color: Brown
Other characteristic: Scar front left ear
Next of Kin: Anna Lindgren, Coleraine, Minnesota

Newspaper article: Itasca Iron News, Coleraine, Minnesota - October 1944 – “October 29, 1944 – Southwest Pacific. Dear Mrs. Phillips: This past week has been a most pleasant week for me. I had almost forgotten that my birthday came around so soon until all these nice cards and letters arrived. Our life down here is ruled out similar to a seven-day work week in the States. So we don’t pay much attention as to what day or even what month it is. There is only one day any of us look forward to and that, of course, is the day ending this so-called ‘devastation.’ If a person could stop over at this particular island for a day of two at the most, he would remember this island as being one of the cleanest and most beautiful islands in the Pacific. Our living conditions have improved a hundred percent, partly through our own extra work, so we can’t gripe too much. Still, a change in scenery would do me a great deal of good. Seven months is too long a time to spend in one place, as long as it isn’t home. Roy Laramie spent about four weeks on this island a few months ago. Incidentally, this is one of the islands in the Russell group. The two of us had a great time sharing each others rations and reminiscing about old times. I wish to express my appreciation and thanks to the Service Club and the American Legion Auxiliary for their very thoughtful cards. Also to the Presbyterian church for their very nice letter from A. H. Scott. I always manage time enough to read every word in each issue of The Iron News. Sincerely, Howard Lindgren.”

Newspaper article: February 1945 – “Howard Lindgren, observing the anniversary of his going overseas the 15th of February by writing his parents somewhat of his experiences. These are excerpts from his letter: “Just a year ago we left San Francisco harbor, and the time has passed swiftly. It seems a long time since I saw a large crowd of people in civilian clothes or saw tall buildings and had solid pavement under my feet. That morning before we pulled out of the harbor we had a wonderful sight-seeing trip while they tested the engines. We went up and down the harbor for three or four hours. The day was clear and we could see a large portion of the city with its two famous bridges and all the different types of craft in the harbor. We passed under Oakland Bridge a half-dozen times, but only once under the Golden Gate Bridge. After that there was nothing but blue sky and open sea. The day I pass under the Golden Gate Bridge a second time will be something to remember! I hope it is not far off. We caught only a glimpse of the Hawaiian Islands and then again there was nothing but water and blue sky until we got off the boat at New Caledonia. That’s the place where I started living in a tent, and in a tent I have been living ever since. Living conditions were pretty rough for us new ones and we were glad to get on a boat at the end of a month. The next boat ride was on a new boat, a hundred per cent cleaner than the Dutch boat. We stopped at Guadalcanal and went ashore in a Higgins Boat, which was quite an experience. But Guadalcanal was a bad place for us, for it was there they divided us into small groups and separated the swell bunch of fellows I had been with thus far. The remainder of the year has been spent on a small island. There isn’t anything new around here, the same job day after day, and then we eat and sleep.”

Newspaper article: The Iron News, Coleraine, Minnesota - June 1945 - Howard M. Lindgren, son of Mr. and Mrs. H. L. Lindgren of Coleraine, who is serving in the Solomon Islands with the Army Airways Communications System, was recently promoted to the grade of sergeant. In his work as a high speed radio operator, Sgt. Lindgren is instrumental in guiding military aircraft safely to their destination. He has been stationed overseas for the past 15 months. Sgt. Lindgren was employed by the Oliver Mining Company until he enlisted in the service in 1942. He is a graduate of Greenway high school and attended Itasca Junior College in 1941. His parents have received a personal letter from the commanding officer of the 71st AACS group commending their son’s ability.”

Newspaper article: The Iron News, Coleraine, Minnesota - February 1946 – “Sgt. H. M. Lindgren is one of the 2030 Army veterans returning to the States aboard the USS Kenton, an attack transport of the “Magic Carpet” Fleet.”

Wars Involved:
World War II

MIA / POW:

Civilian Life:
Howard Lindgren married Nancy L. Varnum in California in 1951.

Howard died in Coarsegold, California.

Tribal Affiliation(s):