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Sydney Marvin Torgerson

Born 2/1/1919, Adams, Mower, Minnesota, USA
Gender Male
Parents Oscar and Clara (Lewison) Torgerson
Schools Attended

Graduated from Adams High School in 1937; attended Luther College, Decorah, IA, 1937-1938

Branch of Service Marine Corps
Additional Identifiers Died in Service
Service Timeframe 1942 - 1943
War/Conflict World War Two 1939-1945
Principal Units and Locations

Fiji Islands; New Caledonia Island; New Hebrides Island; Guadalcanal Island; Russell Island; Munda Island; and Andonga Island.

Military Awards and Decorations

Sydney Marvin Torgerson

Narrative

Obituary from the Adams Review, Adams, Minnesota, November 4, 1943:

"With this issue we commence our ninth year of publishing the Review and with it comes the hardest task we have yet endured, that of publishing the account of the death of one of Adams' finest youths and one of our best pals, Sgt. Sydney Torgerson of the U.S. Marine Corps.

"Monday evening Mrs. Clara Torgerson received a telegram from the War Department informing her of the death of her son, Sergeant Sydney Torgerson. Sydney was killed while heroically attempting to stop the advance of the enemy somewhere in the Solomon Islands.

"Sgt. Torgerson is Adams' second war victim, the first being his cousin, SSgt. Wilbur Koloen, and it is the second for the same family. They were both grandsons of Mrs. Betsy Lewison.

"To mourn his tragic passing he leaves his mother, Mrs. Clara Torgerson, one sister, Mrs. Aaron Huseby and one brother, Lt. Donald Torgerson who is stationed somewhere in the Pacific. Also two grandmothers, Mrs. Carrie Torgerson and Mrs. Betsy Lewison.

"As the news spread of his untimely death it seemed as though a blanket of gloom was placed over this entire community, each heart seemed to have been touched. As we attempt to express our sympathy to his bereaved mother, words seem to fail us, as it is with blurred vision that we watch the mats descend into the assembling elevator."

From the Austin Daily Herald, November 3, 1943:

Sgt. Sydney Torgerson, 24, member of the Marine Corps serving overseas, has been reported killed in line of duty, according to a telegram received by his mother, Mrs. Clara T. Torgerson of Adams.

The telegram stated that Sgt. Torgerson's death was the result of a truck accident, and that a letter containing more details would follow.

Sgt. Torgerson was a cousin of Sgt. Wilbur Koloen of Adams, who was killed in action during a bombing raid over Germany June 25. The news of the death of Sgt. Koloen, who was reported missing, was not received until September. Memorial services were held for him in Adams Oct. 24.

Sgt. Torgerson was born and raised in Adams. He graduated from Adams high school with the class of 1937, and attended Luther College at Decorah, Iowa. He took over his mother's store at Adams until called into service.

He was home on furlough last April. He is survived by his mother, his sister, Mrs. Aaron Huseby of Adams, and a brother, Lt. Donald Torgerson, who is in the army overseas. His father, Oscar Torgerson, died several years ago.