Wilbur Bernard Skelly

2019-11-26T12:24:49-06:00
Army Badge
  • Name: Wilbur Bernard Skelly
  • Location of Birth: Duluth, Minnesota
  • Date of Birth: May 29, 1917
  • Date of Death: April 13, 1997
  • Parents: Albert Skelly & Norma (Jewell) Skelly
  • High School and Class:
  • College:
  • Highest Rank: PFC (Private First Class)
  • Branch: Army
  • Other Branch:
  • Date Sworn In: March 22, 1945
  • Place Sworn In: Fort Snelling, Minneapolis, Minnesota
  • Date of Discharge: December 19, 1945
  • Place of Discharge:
  • Military Awards:

  • Military Highlights:
    WW II Draft Registration Cards – 10/16/1940 – 03/31/1947
    State: Minnesota
    Name: Wilbur Bernard Skelly
    Race: White
    Age: 23
    Birth Date: May 29, 1917
    Birth Place: Duluth, Minnesota, USA
    Residence Place: Cohasset, Itasca, Minnesota
    Registration Date: October 16, 1940
    Employer: (self) Farming, Cohasset, Itasca, Minnesota
    Weight: 150
    Height: 5-9
    Complexion: Light
    Eye Color: Gray
    Hair Color: Brown
    Next of Kin: Elaine Skelly, wife, Cohasset, Itasca, Minnesota

    WW II Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946
    Name: Wilbur B. Skelly
    Birth Year: 1917
    Race: White
    Nativity State or Country: Minnesota
    State of Residence: Minnesota
    County or City: Itasca
    Enlistment Date: March 22, 1945
    Enlistment State: Minnesota
    Enlistment City: Fort Snelling
    Branch: No branch assignment
    Branch Code: No branch assignment
    Grade: Private
    Term of Enlistment: Enlistment for the duration of the War or other emergency, plus six months, subject to the discretion of the President or otherwise according to law
    Component: Selectees (enlisted men)
    Source: Civil Life
    Education: 1 year of high school
    Civil Occupation: Skilled sawmill occupations, n.e.c.
    Marital status: Married
    Height: 00
    Weight: 000

    Wilbur Skelly served only 9 months in the Army until he was discharged because World War II had ended.


  • Wars Involved:
    World War II

  • MIA / POW:

  • Civilian Life:
    Wilbur Skelly married Elaine Litchke in Grand Rapids in 1936. He worked construction on the Alaska Highway, worked in Greenland and also worked at the West Hill Mine and Jessie Mine as a heavy equipment operator. He worked for Anderson Glass for several years and later logged. He was a member of the American Legion Post #60 of Grand Rapids.

    Wilbur died in Grand Rapids, Minnesota and is buried in Wildwood Cemetery, Cohasset, Minnesota (plot - p28w42). He is survived by his wife, Elaine; one daughter, Carol Carlson; three sons, Robert, Gordon and Dennis; one sister, Edna Mantele; three brothers, Russell, Tom and Richard; eleven grandchildren; and 12 great-grandchildren.

  • Tribal Affiliation(s):

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