Pvt. John Swensen was born April 13, 1923 in Gig Harbor to Norwegian parents Albert and Hilma (Maurseth) Swensen. In the 1930 U.S. Census, he had four siblings: Ragna, Grette, Harold and Alfred “Alf” Swensen.
Pfc. Robert “Bob” Henery Niemann was born Dec. 31, 1924, in Tacoma to Caroline “Biddy” (Hansen) Niemann and Herman Niemann Sr. of Vaughn.
Pfc. George Victor Nelson was born June 21, 1922, in Hillhead, South Dakota, to Kerstin “Jessie” (Hanson) Nelson and Nikolai A. Nelson. In the 1930 U.S. Census, George Nelson had three siblings: Norman, Luella and Gladys Nelson. The family moved from the Midwest to Bremerton in the late 1930s; and then south to Gig Harbor in 1940.
Pvt. Herman “Hap” Cecil Niemann was born Jan. 18, 1924, in Tacoma, to Caroline “Biddy” (Hansen) Niemann and Herman Niemann Sr.
Douglas Warren Mortensen was born May 22, 1924 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, to Frances (Goulet) Mortensen and George Richard Mortensen.
First Lt. Harold Elmer Mitts was born July 23, 1915 in Capron, Oklahoma, to Bessie B. (Roberson) Mitts and Olie E. Mitts.
Pfc. Sylvester Martin Metzinger was born April 23, 1918 in Mitchell, South Dakota, to Celina (Vande Voorde) Metzinger and John J. Metzinger. His family moved to Letcher, South Dakota, after his father died in May 1925, and Metzinger attended school there. In the 1920 U.S. Census, he had three sisters: Marie, Loretta and Anna Metzinger.
Pvt. Kenneth Wayne Kirkendoll was born May 20, 1925 in Oketo, Kansas, to Ruth (Moble) Kirkendoll and Robert Kirkend0ll of Rosedale. In the 1940 U.S. Census, he had five siblings: Robert, Jerrold, Jack, Dale and Levi Kirkendoll.
Sgt. Lyle Sanford Jones was born June 13, 1919 in Gig Harbor to Elsie Lenora (Dimmick) Jones and Sanford David Jones. In the 1920 U.S. Census, he had five siblings: Horace, Lois, Doris, Marvin, and Lila Jones, his twin sister.
Gig Harbor Now columnist Tonya Strickland researched and profiled the 14 local men whose names appear on the World War II monument at Kenneth Leo Marvin Memorial Park. Find all 14 profiles here. Hometown: Gig Harbor Branch: U.S. Naval Reserve Rank: 2nd Class Machinist’s Mate Died: May 30, 1943 Burton Allen Gustafson was born on
