Originally published: 2024-12-28T21:30:00+00:00. Historical source article: benefits, rules, amounts and deadlines may have changed. Check the official source for current information.
Tomah VA inducted 107-year-old Merchant Marine Veteran Reynolds Tomter into its Hall of Heroes on Dec. 3.
Tomter was born in April 1917 where he lived on a farm two miles from Pigeon Falls, Wisconsin. He married Dorothea Hoff in 1939 and they had a daughter, Julie Ann.
Though he planned to enlist in the Navy in Milwaukee, those plans changed when the daily allotment was full. So he joined the Merchant Marines instead and served until the end of WWII in 1945.
In WWII, the Merchant Marines delivered the necessary cargo to support Allied Forces worldwide. They were at every invasion in WWII and transported over 700,000 service members overseas.
Tomter completed five trips across the Atlantic Ocean. He was assigned to the Atlantic/Mediterranean conflict in K Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marines, 349th Bombing Squadron, 100th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force and 1st Battalion, 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division.
He received numerous awards, including the Atlantic War Zone Medal, which was awarded for service in the Atlantic war zone, which included the North Atlantic, South Atlantic, Gulf of Mexico, Caribbean, Barents Sea and the Greenland Sea.
Tomter served as a chief baker and backup aircraft gunner and was discharged at the rank of steward’s mate 3rd Class in 1945.
Oldest living member of the Merchant Marines
Merchant Marines were denied Veteran status until 1988.
Tomter returned to his family and community after the war and began a life of leadership and service. He worked at a general store and he and his business partner purchased the store. He started the local Lions Club, became a lifetime member of the American Legion and enrolled in technical school to earn his real estate license.
Tomter is the oldest living member of the American Merchant Marine Veterans. He has received numerous awards and recognitions for his heroic military service and his dedicated community service.
After the unveiling of his Hall of Heroes plaque, he gave an eloquent acceptance speech reflecting on his time in the service and thanked everyone for the honor of being inducted.
The Hall of Heroes recognizes Veterans who have exhibited exemplary courage in battle and have made outstanding contributions to their communities. It serves as a reminder of the hardships and bravery our Veterans have endured for our nation and the freedoms we all enjoy.
Source: U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Its Veterans is an independent publication and is not affiliated with or endorsed by the U.S. government.
