Melvin Mickelson

Melvin Mickelson was living in Cadillac, Michigan when the war began. He married and joined the army in 1942 and was assigned to the Medical Detached Service Command Unit 1493 and sent to the Aleutians. He wouldn’t return to his home state and his wife for more than 3 years. Before his diagnosis with Alzheimer’s and his eventual passing, Mel told his family stories of the Aleutians: about the evacuation of local people from the island, about counting planes as they went out each day and then again when they returned to the island to see if any had been lost. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Service Medal and Good Conduct Medal for his service. Mel’s collection of photos generously donated by his daughter provide insight into Mel’s service history and life during the WWII era.

Mel in the 1940s (left) and Mel and his wife, Ruth, with their grandson in 2007.

Courtesy of Sandra Stickney, from the collection of Melvin Chris Mickelson.