Wilbur Oran Klaser
PFC Wilbur O. Klaser served with Depot Company B, 4th Base Depot, during the campaign for the Solomon Islands.
He was killed in the bombing of LST-448 at Vella Lavella on 1 October 1943
Branch
Marine Corps Regular
Service Number 366699
Current Status
Remains Not Recovered
Pursuit Category
The DPAA has not publicized this information.
Capsule History
Pre-War Life
Birth
March 22, 1924
at St. Louis, MO
Parents
Joseph Harry Klaser
Hortense (Odegaard) Klaser
Education
Hadley Technical High School (1942)
Occupation & Employer
Dazor Manufacturing Company
Service Life
Entered Service
May 14, 1942
at St. Louis, MO
Home Of Record
2002A East John Avenue
St. Louis, MO
Next Of Kin
Mother, Mrs. Hortense Klaser
Military Specialty
Military Policeman
Primary Unit
4th Base Depot (Co B)
Campaigns Served
New Georgia / Vella Lavella
Individual Decorations
Purple Heart
Additional Service Details
—
Loss And Burial
Circumstances Of Loss
On 1 October 1943, PFC Klaser’s company was assigned to unload LST-448 at Narowai Beach, Vella Lavella. The ship was carrying ammunition, fuel, medical supplies, and a company of Paramarines to assist in the ongoing ground campaign.
The depot men were hard at work when the deck guns began to fire. Japanese dive bombers appeared overhead and quickly dropped three bombs on the LST – at least one of which detonated in the cargo hold where Weidner and his comrades were working.
Eight members of Depot Company B were killed outright, and several more were wounded. A further five, including PFC Klaser were initially reported as missing. However, it was soon determined that they were killed in the explosion and fire, and their bodies were either not recovered or not identified.
Burial Information or Disposition
None confirmed; possibly buried as an unknown in the Vella Lavella island cemetery.
Memorials
Next Of Kin Address
Address of mother, Mrs. Hortense Klaser.
