MEMBER: Calvin (Cal) Keller Claus

EMAIL ADDRESS: clauscn@comcast.net

HOME ADDRESS: 1285 Luther Lane #155 Arlington Heights, IL, 60OO4-8110

TRAINING BATTALION: I have a picture showing I was in the 1st Platoon, Company A, 63rd Battalion; there was no Regimental designation on the picture.

Dates of training: to the best of my recollection it was from August 1st, 1943 to November 1st., 1943.  I reported to Camp Grant in Rockford, IL, from my home in West Bend, WI, then to Camp Fannin.

ABOUT WWII SERVICE: enlisted in the US Army on 6/29/43 at the age Of 17; called to active duty On 7/26/43 at Camp Grant, IL; spent 3 months in basic training at Camp Fannin: was sent to the University of Wisconsin in the ASTP program, Company H, 3654 SU, for three months; when the ASTP program was discontinued I became part of the 1st Platoon, Company M, 3rd Battalion of the 96th Infantry Division in Camp White, OR; continued combat training in CA and HI; was in the Leyte, PI, and Okinawa invasions; served in combat as an ammunition bearer with the rank of PFC; after the war ended spent 7 months on the island of Mindoro, PI, as a musician in a regimental band and then in the 96th Division Band; was discharged in Fort McCoy, WI, on 2/2/46 as a T/5; I was awarded the Bronze Star medal 35 years after discharge.

Additional information about my education, my occupation, as well as some things about my family and hobbies will be found in the attached obituary.

The Obituary of Calvin Keller Claus – “My wife didn't want to be faced with the task of writing this at a time of great stress. I'm quite alive as all this is being written and sent to you.”

Born of Pearl Elizabeth (nee Moths) and Herman Gustav Claus, Jr. on the 4th Of July, 1925, in West Bend, WI. Brother to Curt. Graduated from West Bend High School and delivered its class of 1943 valedictory speech. Cal's life-long interest in music was begun and nurtured by many opportunities that came his way: a church choir at Trinity Lutheran where his parents were founding members; high school band (tuba), orchestra (bass fiddle), and chorus (tenor); piano lessons at an early age; all backed up by both parents who played the piano and a father who also played the French horn.

Cal enlisted in the US Army in June Of 1943; was called to active duty in July, '43, served until February 1946. He received the Bronze Star Medal as a Combat Infantryman with Company M of the 381st Infantry Regiment in the Philippines and Okinawa.

Nona Holappa and Cal met in the fall of '46 at Carthage College. After one year of courting and one of engagement, they were married on August 14,1948. From this union came Karen (Schuh), Linda (Burns), and David, plus five grandchildren, Jessie, Lizzy, Mike, Charlie, and Georgia.

Graduate studies for Cal were completed at the U. of IL (MS) and Northwestern (PhD). All of this was in preparation to be a psychologist for nine years in the Public Schools of Winnetka and Evanston and then a professor of psychology for over 30 years at National College of Education/National-Louis University. He also was a consultant to the Molloy School in Morton Grove, IL.

At various times over the years Cal was a tubist in the community hands of Evanston, Wilmette, Gross Point, Deerfield, Glenbrook, and Arlington Heights. His tuba could also be heard in a jazz group, the Dixie Downbeats, organized by Spouse Nona. He enjoyed singing barbershop style music with the Shoreliners in Evanston, and then with the Arlingtones. Of very special interest to him was work with the Avenue of the Rigbteous, an interfaith group aimed at memorializing the rescuers of Jews prior to and during WWII.

Nona and the children fondly remember many family camping trips to various places around the USA. After the children were grown, Cal and Nona were thankful for the wherewithal to travel to a variety of places in the world.

If permitted by the Wisconsin Department of Natural Resources, his ashes will be scattered among the trees of the easterly quartzite bluffs overlooking Devil's Lake, WI.