26Apr1910 – 16Dec1944
Edison Days
Bjarne attended Edison and is pictured in the 1925 Edison Wizard yearbook as a member of the Hi-Y service club.
In 1929 he played basketball for the Immaunel Norwegian Lutheran Church in the YMCA
He was active in his church.
Military Service
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Branch: United States Army
Unit: 317th Infantry Regiment – 80th Division
Bjarne joined the Minnesota National Guard in 1932. As part of his duties, he trained civilians in the upper Midwest how to spot enemy airplanes.
In 1943 he joined the regular Army and attended officers training school where he was commissioned as a 2nd Lieutenant. It is likely he joined the 317th Infantry Regiment right after he was commissioned.
Bjarne and the 317th sailed to Scotland in July 1944 and in early August the crossed the English Channel and laned at Utah Beach. They entered combat on 8Aug1944 and fought across France as part of General Patton’s 3rd Army.
On 28Nov1944 the 317th Infantry Regiment attacked the town of Farébersviller, a small town in northeastern France to expel the German’s and secure the town. Heavy fighting ensued. That evening the German’s launched a counterattack supported by tanks.
By the morning of November 29, elements of the regiment (including isolated troops who had held basements overnight) received reinforcements to help consolidate control of the town. Bjarne was wounded during this action. The nature and circumstances of which are unknown.
Bjarne’s family received a telegram on December 19 informing them that he was slightly wounded. 3 weeks later they received a 2nd telegram that he had died of his wounds on 16Dec1944.
A memorial service for Bjarne was held on 11Feb1945.
Bjarne is one of 10,481 Americans buried at the Lorrain American Cemetery and Memorial in St. Avold, France.
Edison Heroes 