Memorial: Elmer C. Olmstead
Elmer C. Olmstead
Elmer C. Olmstead,in Pearl Harbor after 2nd War Patrol on USS Sterlet SS-392
Description
Elmer C. Olmstead was born on June 14, 1924 in Rapid City, South Dakota. He was the second of four children, and the only son of Elmer H. and Catherine R. (Griggs) Olmstead. He died at his home in Rapid City on Fri., June 9, 2006. He graduated from Rapid City High School in 1942. Two of his high school classmates, best friend Scotty Loban, and Willard "Bill" Williams joined the Navy with him in the fall of 1942. Ultimately, Bill and Elmer ended up serving on the same submarine, the USS Sterlet (SS-392). Both boys were members of the Commissioning Crew and were Plankowners on the Sterlet, serving through all five of the sub's WWII War Patrols. Towards the end of the second war patrol Bill was accidentally shot in the chest by a shipmate who was cleaning his "unloaded" pistol. On Dec. 23rd, 1944, Elmer wrote home saying, "Bill Williams is back with us again. He has the slug they took out of him, and he says he is going to make a watch charm out of it." Military training for Elmer included Boot Camp at Great Lakes Naval Training Center; Radio School at the University of Chicago; and Submarine School in New London, Connecticut. Elmer's service on the Sterlet began on March 4, 1944 at Commissioning, and ended on November 5, 1945 when he "walked off the boat for the last time." On August 24th, 1945, fifteen days after the second Atom Bomb was dropped on Japan, his family received the following telegram from him, "All well and safe (stop) Hope to see you soon (stop) Love to all the family (stop) Elmer Olmstead. All the casualties during WWII weren't on the battlefield – or on the sea. On April 4, 1945, following the third War Patrol, Elmer received a letter from home telling him that his father had died on February 9th. When a submarine is on patrol there is no way for personal information to be relayed. Probably just as well. After his discharge from the Navy, Elmer returned to Rapid City. He was employed at various jobs throughout his working career. His training and experience as a Radio Man on the Sterlet came into good use on two of his post-war jobs. He first worked as a radio operator for Western Airlines for a number of years, and retired as a dispatcher for South Dakota State Radio. Elmer and Avis Acker were married on March 13, 1948, and celebrated their forty-fifth wedding anniversary shortly before her death on April 9, 1993. Elmer is survived by son Karl and Karl's special friend, Monika Lenz of Ridgecrest, California; daughter Karen and son-in-law Scott McGregor of Rapid City. He leaves two grandchildren, Jennifer Gibbons of Rapid City and Melanie (Marrett) Grund of Mankato, Minnesota; great-grandchildren Hunter Harrington of Anchorage, Alaska, and Cameron and Kendall Grund of Mankato. Also surviving are his sisters Cora Corneliuson of Rapid City and Doris Kilgore of Brownfield, Texas. Preceding him in death were his parents, his wife, his brother Donald Brenner, sisters Gertrude Brenner Wright and Inez Olmstead Miller. A memorial has been established. Memorial services are planned for a later date. Friends may sign Elmer's guestbook at www.kirkfuneralhome.com. Kirk Funeral Home of Rapid City is in charge of arrangements. Elmer, rest your oars, we've got the watch. Obit by Cora Corneliuson
Location
Address:
Black Hills National Cemetery Section J Site 292 Sturgis- Meade county SD 57785
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Elmer's Stone Black Hills National Cemetery, Sturgis, SD Section J Site 292 Cora, places flag on Elmer's Stone Photo by Paul Hartridge
Doc Gardner Plays Going Home in Honor of Elmer. Photo of Doc Gardner by Paul "Blue" Hartridge
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