Rolf Jordan Ellefson
Corporal Rolf J. Ellefson was a Marine aviation radioman assigned to VMSB-244.
He was killed in a training accident near Santa Barbara, California on 20 November 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number 345484
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
CONUS Loss
Because this individual died within the limits of the continental United States, they are not tracked by the DPAA.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
April 29, 1923
at Alameda, CA
Parents
Elven Tinus Ellefson
Lillian (Jordan) Ellefson
Education
Berkeley High School (1941)
Occupation & Employer
Enlisted from high school.
Service Life
Entered Service
January 4, 1942
at San Francisco, CA
Home Of Record
58 Panoramic Way
Berkeley, CA
Next Of Kin
Father, Mr. Elven T. Ellefson
Military Specialty
Radioman/Gunner
Primary Unit
VMSB-244
Campaigns Served
None
Individual Decorations
—
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Corporal Rolf Ellefson was a Marine Corps aviation radioman. He was assigned to VMSB-244, a dive-bomber squadron based in his native California, for training as a rear gunner prior to overseas deployment.
On 20 November 1942, Corporal Ellefson was aboard an aircraft participating in bombing practice off the coast of Santa Barbara, California. His aircraft failed to recover from a dive and plunged into the sea at approximately 1045 hours. Neither Ellefson nor the pilot, Second Lieutenant Boyd L. Klopfenstine, escaped the falling plane, and both were reported dead following the incident.
Burial Information or Disposition
Crashed at sea; remains not recovered.
Memorials
None known.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of father, Mr. Elven T. Ellefson.
Location Of Loss
Approximate location of the crash, “one mile off Santa Barbara light.”
