John August Erickson

2022-11-06T11:54:33-06:00
Marine Corp Badge
  • Name: John August Erickson
  • Location of Birth: Deer River, Minnesota
  • Date of Birth: June 4, 1925
  • Date of Death: June 9, 2001 (76 years old)
  • Parents: August Erickson and Isabelle (Byers) Erickson
  • High School and Class:
  • College:
  • Highest Rank: CPL (Corporal)
  • Branch: Marine Corp
  • Other Branch:
  • Date Sworn In: September, 1943
  • Place Sworn In:
  • Date of Discharge: April, 1946
  • Place of Discharge:
  • Military Awards:

  • Military Highlights:
    Out of high school, John enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in September, 1943 during World War II. He was stationed in the Asiatic and Pacific areas and was a member of the famous Black Sheep Squadron in the Pacific Islands. He was honorably discharged as corporal in April, 1946.

    Information in the United States, World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947:
    Name: John August Erickson
    Gender: Male
    Race: White
    Age: 17
    Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
    Birth Date: June 4, 1925
    Birth Place: Deer River, Minnesota, USA
    Residence Place: Northome, Koochiching, Minnesota, USA
    Registration Date: May 24, 1943
    Registration Place: Northome, Koochiching, Minnesota, USA
    Employer: J. R. Byers Dewitt
    Height: 5' 8"
    Weight: 171
    Complexion: Ruddy
    Hair Color: Blonde
    Eye Color: Blue
    Next of Kin: Lowis Sandberg

  • Wars Involved:
    World War II

  • MIA / POW:

  • Civilian Life:
    John was raised in Bowstring and attended schools in Bowstring and Northome, Minnesota.

    After his discharge, John lived in Northome, Minnesota, worked for the Minnesota State Parks and married Regina Knops. He moved to Lincoln, Nebraska in 1966 where he worked as a correctional officer at the Nebraska State Penitentiary for sixteen years.

    He married Marilyan Sharpnack in 1982 in Northome, Minnesota.

    John was a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars Post in Northome, Minnesota.

    John is survived by his wife, Marilyan; four sons, John, Martin, Ted, and Dana; two daughters, Dawn Henning and Betty Beier; two step-daughters, Karen Bracha and Roxanne Haake; three brothers, Edward Erickson, Hubert Larson, and Gerald Sandberg; a sister, Sandra Glenz; eighteen grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.

    Preceded him in death were his parents and a brother, Donald Sandberg.

    John died at Meritcare Hospital in Fargo, North Dakota after a long battle with heart problems. He is buried in Itasca Calvary Cemetery at Grand Rapids, Minnesota. (Plot I-B-03-13)

  • Tribal Affiliation(s):