Navy Badge
  • Name: Wilfred Warren Reinikka
  • Location of Birth: Trout Lake Township, Itasca County, Minnesota
  • Date of Birth: February 7, 1921
  • Date of Death: July 22, 2008
  • Parents: Gust Reinikka & Sophie (Himanka) Reinikka
  • High School and Class: Edison High School, Minneapolis
  • College: Bemidji State University, Bemidji, Minnesota
    University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, Minnesota
    University of South Dakota, Brookings, South Dakota
  • Highest Rank: AMM1 (Aviation Machinists Mate 1st Class Petty Officer)
  • Branch: Navy
  • Other Branch:
  • Date Sworn In: September 7, 1942
  • Place Sworn In:
  • Date of Discharge: December 7, 1945
  • Place of Discharge:
  • Military Awards:

  • Military Highlights:
    WW II Draft Registration Cards – 10/16/1940 – 03/31/1947
    State: Minnesota
    Name: Wilfred Warren Reinikka
    Race: White
    Age: 21
    Birth Date: February 7, 1921
    Birth Place: Bovey, Minnesota, USA
    Residence Place: Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA
    Registration Date: February 14, 1942
    Employer: Beau Monde Laboratories, Minneapolis, Minnesota
    Weight: 165
    Height: 6
    Complexion: Light
    Eye Color: Hazel
    Hair Color: Blonde
    Next of Kin: Gust Reinikka, R.F.D., Bovey, Minnesota

    Wilfred served in the South Pacific during World War II.

    Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota - May 7, 1943 - "Chicago, Illinois - It takes a crew of specialists to keep one Navy flier in the air. Wilfred W. Reinikka, 22, son of Mr. and Mrs. Gust Reinikka, of Bovey has just added the wings and crow to his Navy "blues" as proof that he is one of those specialists. He was graduated from the Naval Air Technical Training Center at Navy Pier here with the petty officer rating of aviation machinist's mate, third class, and now awaits assignment to duty aboard an aircraft carrier or at a naval air base. Through the course just completed, he now knows the principles and theory of flying, operation and maintenance of all types of naval aircraft, and seamanship necessary to airplane ground work."

    Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota - May 28, 1943 - "Pensacola, Florida, April 30, 1943 - Dear Friends: This note is to thank the Bovey Servicemen's Club and all those nice people who have been interested so greatly in our welfare. During my stay in Chicago the past six months, I received numerous gifts and remembrances. Don't think I haven't appreciated them because I haven't written before this, to the Club as a whole. Pensacola is really a land of birds and sunshine; but it is also a very busy Naval Aviation post. The days are like ordinary days in Minnesota during July. Nights remind me of the climate in Duluth, foggy and damp. Yesterday I went swimming while I had some time off, and even the water was warm. It's wonderful out here. I'd still rather have Minnesota. Thanks again for the presents. Later, I'll write again. Sincerely Yours, Wilfred Reinikka."

    Newspaper article: Bovey Press, Bovey, Minnesota - October 8, 1943 - "Pensacola, Florida, September 29, 1943 - Dear Friends: It is indeed a privilege to receive such a gift as the Bovey Press. Thank you all for your interest in us, who are away from home. We are, of course, very grateful for being remembered; and hope that you people are keeping yourselves as well and happy as possible. Perhaps it's rather cold up there by now. Not here. You can have all this hot weather; I'll take the cold. This is the second autumn I've spent in the service. It's not a bad life, but I'll be mighty glad when the last sword is beaten into a plowshare. Presently, I've got a job as a gunnery instructor. It's a good job and I meet hundreds of new people every week. There is seldom anyone from Minnesota, but when there is, I'm really delighted just to listen to his typical brogue. Thanks again for the very thoughtful gift, and for your kind wishes. Very sincerely yours, Wilfred Reinikka."

  • Wars Involved:
    World War II

  • MIA / POW:

  • Civilian Life:
    Wilfred Reinikka lived most of his life in Mankato, Minnesota and was a resident of Calumet for the last five years of his life. He married Evodia Anderson in March 1952 in Minneapolis, Minnesota. He was a self-employed carpenter and a member of the carpenters union.

    Wilfred died in his home in Calumet, Minnesota and is buried in the Trout Lake Community Cemetery, Bovey, Minnesota (Block 5). He is survived by his wife, Evodia; a sister, Martha (Ray) Hepokoski; twelve nieces and nephews; and special cousins, Loren and Gloria Kantola. He was preceded in death by his parents, Gust and Sophie Reinikka; a brother, Evert; and a sister, Mary Kemp.

  • Tribal Affiliation(s):

Privacy Policy Cookie Policy