Otto Norenberg Comes Home

77 years ago, my grandfather returned home from the South Pacific. He was drafted into service during World War II. Throughout the war, about 10 million men were called to U.S. military duty.  Even married men with families, like my grandpa, were inducted.

Otto Norenberg, Specialist (M), USN¹Otto Norenberg portrait. Nickolaus Johnson studio. Origianal owned by Mary Norenberg Peterson. Digital copy made by Karrie Blees, March 23, 2023.

Otto Norenberg

March 8, 1944, Otto Norenberg (1910-1997) began his active duty in the U.S. Navy. At that time he was a 32-yeard-old, married man, and father of two boys (aged 10 and 7).

He served in the U.S. Navy in Idaho, San Francisco, and Kwajalein Island (Marshall Islands). Otto was first a Seaman Apprentice, then Specialist (Mail clerk) 3rd class [SP(M) 3c], and Mailman, 3rd class at the time of his discharge.

Norenberg Family, 1944²Norenberg family snapshot. Scan 32 from Album that belonged to the late Otto and Mae Norenberg. Digital copy made by Karrie Blees, July 20, 2022.

End of the War

When the war ended in Europe, the military devised a “points” system for prioritizing which servicemen/women when home first.

Points were awarded according to the following formula:

• 1 point for each month in service
• 1 additional point for each month in service overseas
• 5 points for each campaign
• 5 points for a medal for merit or valor (Silver Star for example), plus 5 additional for a purple heart
• 12 points for each dependent child, up to three

After Japan surrendered on September 2, 1945, Otto counted up his points.

Back in the U.S.A.

Northland Times, February 15, 1946³Northland Times (Bemidji MN). February 15, 1946. page 11, col 5.

According to the local newspaper, Otto called his wife Mae on Sunday [February 9th] from Cheyenne, Wyoming. His next stop was Minnesota’s Fort Snelling to be mustered out. The report correctly foretold that “by the time this item appears in print, Otto will have arrived home to stay.” Indeed, Otto was discharged February 14, 1946, just 5 months after V-J Day.

Northland Times, February 15, 1946⁴Northland Times (Bemidji MN). February 22, 1946. page 13, col 5.

Otto Norenberg arrived home Thursday, having been discharged from the navy. Otto was stationed on Kawajalin [sic] Island in the Marshall islands all of the time he was gone [overseas]. He was in the mail service. The island is a coral reef about half a mile wide and two and one half miles long. At one time 13,000 men were based on the island which has a good air strip.

What’s Next?

Do wartime letters between Otto and Mae exist?
Are there photos from Otto’s time on Kawajalein?
We already looked at the way Mae worked on the Mail Route. What else did she do during the war?

SOURCES

• 1
  Otto Norenberg portrait. Nickolaus Johnson studio. Origianal owned by Mary Norenberg Peterson. Digital copy made by Karrie Blees, March 23, 2023.
• 2
  Norenberg family snapshot. Scan 32 from Album that belonged to the late Otto and Mae Norenberg. Digital copy made by Karrie Blees, July 20, 2022.
• 3
  Northland Times (Bemidji MN). February 15, 1946. page 11, col 5.
• 4
  Northland Times (Bemidji MN). February 22, 1946. page 13, col 5.