Wallace Riemersma
Second Lieutenant Wallace “Whitey” Riemersma was a Marine fighter pilot assigned to VMF-123.
He was killed in a training accident near Oceanside, California on 12 December 1942.
Branch
Marine Corps Reserve
Service Number O-11683
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
June 5, 1918
at Grand Haven, MI
Parents
Sake Gerrits Riemersma
divorced
Henrietta (Van Dyke) Riemersma
Education
Grand Haven Senior High (1937)
Hope College (ex-1943)
Occupation & Employer
College student
Service Life
Entered Service
July 8, 1941 (Navy)
June 17, 1942 (commission)
Home Of Record
Route 3
Holland, MI
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Henrietta Riemersma
Military Specialty
Pilot
Squadron Athletic Officer
Primary Unit
VMF-123
Campaigns Served
None
Individual Decorations
—
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
Second Lieutenant Wallace “Whitey” Riemersma flew a fighter plane with VMF-123, a Marine squadron based at Camp Kearney, California. In December 1942, the squadron was making final preparations for their first overseas deployment.
On the morning of 12 December, Lt. Riemersma departed from Camp Kearney for a high-altitude training flight in and F4F-3 “Wildcat,” Bureau Number 2352. At approximately 1050 hours, his aircraft went out of control and fell into the sea two miles offshore of Oceanside, California. A search was immediately launched, but no sign of “Whitey” Riemersma could be found.
Wildcat model fighters were notorious for faulty oxygen systems, especially at high altitudes, and an airflow problem was put forth as a possible cause for the crash. Riemersma was reported as dead following the incident.
Burial Information or Disposition
Crashed at sea; remains not recovered.
Memorials
None known.
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Henrietta Riemersma.
Location Of Loss
Approximate location of the crash, “about two miles at sea off shore of Oceanside, California.”
