Window display featured local WWII vets killed in action
By Heather Ruenz
Staff writer
Dave Saalsaa said the idea to create a display honoring local World War II heroes who had been killed in action began at the visitation for a local veteran last fall.
“I went to (John) Jack Frawley’s visitation and didn’t realize until then that he was a decorated World War II vet so it got me thinking,” Saalsaa, owner of Quiet Hut Sports in Whitewater, said.
Frawley, who was 93 when he died Sept. 20, 2015, according to his obituary, had served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1942 to 1946. He served under fire while participating in military action against Japanese forces on Guadalcanal, in the assault and capture of Tarawa in the Gilbert Islands, and against Japanese forces in Saipan in the Marianas Islands. He was awarded a Bronze Star and two Purple Hearts.
Following his service, Frawley returned to Whitewater and in 1948, took over Cites Service Oil distributorship, the beginning of Frawley Oil, a third generation company still in existence today.
“Then Eugene Otto died and he was also a veteran so it got me thinking. I started researching and found out that more than 100 people from Whitewater served during World War II. That’s amazing to me,” Saalsaa said.
During his research, which spanned several months, Saalsaa made another surprising discovery.
“There are six people still living in Whitewater that served in World War II,” he said.
Another astonishing number Saalsaa discovered is that 25 local World War II veterans were killed in action. Their names are on a memorial at Starin Park.
Once Saalsaa came up with the idea for a display it was time for more research and he began by getting in touch with family members of the 25 veterans listed on a memorial.
“I talked to them, tried to get more information which some had and others didn’t. I got some old Whitewater Registers from Pam Krauss. The paper was very dedicated to local people serving or who had served, and I searched online,” he said.
Another person that helped with the research was Kurt Skindingsrude, the nephew of Eddie Skindingsrude, Jr., one of the local heroes features in the display.
Saalsaa purchased the clothing for the mannequins and said he tried to be historically correct which proved to be a challenge. The Air Force, for example, changed clothing during World War II to adapt to the conditions.
“It was amazing how quickly they adapted to situations and conditions, and involved a lot of trial and error,” he said.
For the display, Plahn’s Army store in Janesville donated the combat boots and assisted in putting items together while the furniture used was borrowed from When Pigs Fly in Whitewater.
Providing details about how they were killed and where that occurred was important, Saalsaa said. A few of the heroes featured include:
William Flood: Killed in action Sept. 22, 1944 at Mosselle and Meurthe rivers engagement while leading his troops up an embankment.
Eddie Skindingsrude, Jr.: Killed in action Dec. 25, 1944 when the plane on which he was a tailgunner was riddled with flak before falling and exploding near Bitberg, Germany.
Ivan Bogie: Killed in action Sept. 20, 1944 when his P-47D Thunderbolt fighter was shot down by German flak over France.
Saalsaa’s display also features, Elizabeth Gardner, from Rockford, in a tribute to the paramilitary aviation organization in service from 1943 to 1945, WASP (Women Airforce Service Pilots.)
“There were 1,074 WASP members but 25,000 women had applied. They had to have their pilot’s license and experience flying. They were valuable to free up men to fight – which women couldn’t do then – by transporting planes and towing targets,” Saalsaa said.
The most meaningful part of working on this project, he said, are the amazing stories he’s heard about local World War II veterans.
“Take Lt. Elaine Roe, for example, was stationed in Anzio, Italy and in charge of a hospital there. The Germans decided to bomb it and she was responsible for getting patients and staff to the bunkers safely. She and two of her staff were awarded the Silver Stars, the first women to ever do so,” Saalsaa said.
“Another interesting thing, in the Battle of Mets, France, a veteran, Don Grosinske was wounded – shot in the leg – but made it home, Dick Tratt was a fighter pilot and Private Omholt was in a tank. All three are from Whitewater. It was a tough struggle because the Germans were so fortified. The bunker walls were 8 feet thick. They were called the Iron Men of Mets,” he said.
Saalsaa said he is more than willing to help anyone seeking information on a veteran family member or friend, including those killed in action.
“It can be a real challenge to find information but I’ve done a lot of it and would be more than happy to help. All they have to do is call me and tell me what they know, even if it’s only the approximate time and where they were deployed. It would be great to help people find out more about veterans,” he said.
Saalsaa said the display drew a lot of attention and a lot of compliments on the clothing but hopefully helped get across the real message.
“I wanted people to take the time to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice for us. We really do owe them a great deal,” he said.
Saalsaa isn’t done honoring local heroes, either. The next project will be a live display representing veterans of Whitewater at the Cultural Arts Center in the fall.
He has interviewed one of the six remaining World War II veterans and plans to speak with the other five as well. Those who may be interested in helping with the project are asked to contact Saalsaa.
For more information call Saalsaa at (262) 473-2950. Quiet Hut Sports is located at 186 W. Main St., Whitewater.
