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Marvin Melius

Marvin Melius wearing glasses, a blue shirt, tan jacket and Pearl Harbor Survivor baseball cap
Dakota Digest - WWII Veteran Marvin Melius, 2007

Dakota Digest - WWII Veteran Marvin Melius, 2007

WWII Veteran Marvin Melius

Marvin Melius, 2007 (Interviewed by Chuck Beck, SDPB Radio)

  • Branch of Service: Navy
  • Highest Rank: Chief Petty Officer - Torpedoman (CTM)
  • Military Service: Enlisted, May 1939 - Oct. 1945

Listen to the following sections by scrolling forward to the timecode.

:29 - Stationed in Pearl Harbor
2:03 - Day of Pearl Harbor attack
15:41 - The naming being O'Hara Airfield in Chicago
16:05 - Battle of Midway
21:07 - Memories of discharge orders
24:06 - Feelings on WWII & Pearl Harbor movies

Marvin Melius Obituary 

This story was recorded at an SDPB event in Faulkton, SD. 

Images Provided by Marvin Melius 
Marvin Melius wearing dress uniform and bride in gown and veil

Marvin Melius marries one month after the war ends.

UBoat in storage

Marvin Melius was aboard the USS Jenks, which was one of the destroyers that helped capture the German U-505. The German U-505 is now on display at the Chicago Museum of Science and Industry.

Pear Harbor Survivor license plate

Marvin Melius's Pearl Harbor Survivor license plate.

Newspaper article photo of Melius's reflection in framed awards and flag entitled "Reflecting Back on Infamous Day"
Melius newspaper article entitled "Pearl Harbor Memories Stirred Up on Anniversary"

Newspaper article about Pearl Harbor attack. (Article was provided by Marvin Melius.)

Newspaper article entitled "Faulkton Man Remembers"

Newspaper article about Pearl Harbor survivor Marvin Melius.

Newspaper article entitled "Local WWII Vet Attends German U-Boat Ceremony"

Newspaper article about German U-Boat ceremony attended by Marvin Melius.

Ship engagement program

U.S.S. Ralph Talbot DD-390

Ancient order of the deep card certifying M Melius

Ancient Order of the Deep

War and Navy Dept V Mail

War & Navy Departments V-Mail Service

Handwritten censored letter from Marvin Melius

A censored letter, shown above, was sent by Marvin Melius to his Mother, Dad, and All during WWII.

Handwritten letter from Marvin Melius

A reassuring letter from Marvin Melius to his parents, Mr. & Mrs. William Melius.

Office of the Mayor, City of Chicago, Proclamation

City of Chicago Proclamation, June 4, 2005, to be U-505 Day in Chicago.

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