Staff SGT. Herman Eltiste

Was Killed In Action

Met Death In Battle In South Pacific

Mrs. Mildred Eltiste, wife of Staff Sgt. Herman A. Eltiste, Jr., 24 received a telegram from the United States war department on Monday, stating that they deeply regretted to inform her that her husband had been “killed in action” in Aramo, New Guinea, August 6, 1944. The message was received from the Adjutant General J.A. Ulio. It stated that a letter bearing details would follow.

Sgt. Eltiste was son of Mr. and Mrs. H.A. Eltiste, Sr., of Johnson, and was born May 27, 1920. He attended the rural schools of Nemaha County and then entered the Johnson High School where he graduated with the class of 1937. He later went to Omaha where he took a special course in one of the welding schools of that city and completed this specialized course.

On July 31, 1941 he was united in marriage to Mildred L. Bohlken.  On April 29, 1942 he entered the armed forces as a private. His first station was at Camp Bowie, Texas, where he was placed in a 81mm. mortar squadron. He was later sent to Camp Shelby, Mississippi and then to Camp Pickett, Virginia. He participated in the North Carolina maneuvers on two occasions. He later was chosen as a machine gunner and received extensive training in this branch of the service and then later was given specialized amphibious training at the Chesapeake Bay area.  His aptitude in things of army life was keen and he was rapidly advanced in rank until he attained the staff sergeant’s rank.

Prior to his entrance into the armed forces he farmed in Nemaha County.

On January 16, 1944 he left his station in the Pacific Southwest, where he was engaged in battle with the Japs.

Sgt. Eltiste is survived by his widow, Mildred L. Eltiste, and his small two year old son, Alton Gail, who was born May 29, 1942, and who was given the nickname of “Sarge” by his father.  He is also survived by his parents and two brothers, Sgt. Kiel E. Eltiste of Los Angeles and Kenton Eltiste of Johnson.

The Nemaha County Herald

Thursday

 August 31, 1944