Melvin John Jansen

Male 1925 - 1944  (18 years)


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  • Name Melvin John Jansen 
    Born 25 May 1925  Little Chute, Outagamie, Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Gender Male 
    Burial MARKER ONLY  St John Cemetery, Little Chute, Outagamie, Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Graduation 1943  St John High School, Little Chute Find all individuals with events at this location 
    _MILT MIA English Channel 
    Died 28 Apr 1944  KIA WWII Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Buried England Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Person ID I53123  Little Chute Genealogy
    Last Modified 16 Jun 2012 

    Father Joseph John Jansen,   b. 24 Jun 1902, DePere, Brown Co, Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 07 Dec 1977  (Age 75 years) 
    Mother Henrica Maria DeBruin,   b. 14 Jul 1901, Little Chute, Outagamie, Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this location,   d. 19 May 1974, Appleton, Outagamie, Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this location  (Age 72 years) 
    Married 19 Jun 1923  St John Nepomucene Church, Little Chute, Outagamie, Wisconsin Find all individuals with events at this location 
    Family ID F19118  Group Sheet  |  Family Chart

  • Photos
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    53123b.jpg
    St John High School Yearbook 1943
    St John High School Yearbook 1943
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    53123c.jpg

  • Notes 
    • May 15, 1944
      Little Chute Sailor Is Missing, Navy Informs Parents
      Seaman First Class Melvin Jansen, 18, Little Chute, is missing in the performance of his duty, according to a message received from the navy department by his parents, Mr. and Mrs. Joseph Jansen, 135 Willow street, Little Chute, Saturday afternoon.
      Seaman Jansen entered the service Feb. 26, 1943, and received his basic training at the Great Lakes Naval Training Station. He also trained in California and Virginia and has been overseas since Dec. 1. He was stationed somewhere in the British Isles.
      Prior to his entrance in the navy he attended St. John High school, of which he is a graduate. He has a brother, Private Stanley Jansen, who is serving with the armed forces somewhere in North Ireland.
    • Melvin Jansen

      Hi, I'm Melvin John Jansen. I was born in Little Chute on May 25, 1925 to Joe and Hattie (De Bruin) Jansen. I was 1 of 7 Children; brothers, Stan, Rollie, Lloyd (Dusty) Dave (Butch) Gene (Whitie) and one sister, Buelah. We lived on the corner of Willow St and Monroe St. There's a nice playground there now. Back then, both streets and backyards were our playgrounds.

      I graduated from St John's High. I missed out on the graduation ceremony as I left early to serve in the Navy. While attending St John's, I was an alter boy, Sophomore class treasurer, was in the Jr. Holy Name, and in the Victory Corps. My ambition in life was to be an Admiral in the Navy. I got the nickname "Sluggo"-guess from being in boxing for 2 years. Like anyone else in Little Chute, I enjoyed swimming in the Fox River.

      Shortly after the 28th of April, 1944, my parents received a telegram stating I was missing in action. In April of 1945, I was legally declared dead. Supposedly, I'm buried at sea near London, England. It wasn't until 1984 that my family found out how I died. At that time ABC aired a program on the Freedom of Information Act.

      I was on a LST (Landing Ship Tank) number 531. I was among hundreds of U.S. Servicemen taking part in Operation Tiger; a rehearsal for the Invasion of Normandy. While crossing the English Channel on April 28, 1944, 2 German speed boats caught the US landing crafts off guard and sank 2 and severely damaged a 3rd ship sending approximately 749 soldiers and 197 sailors to their deaths. The family found out later over a thousand men died that day.

      Since it was "practice", we weren't prepared for live action. We were about 13 miles out on the 21.4 mile wide channel. The water temperature was 43 degrees and hypothermia was responsible for many of the deaths.

      The dead were buried in the Brookwood Cemetery near London. The injured were treating at many different hospitals. Some of them and other survivors did participate in the Invasion of Omaha Beach. They lived with the secret of Operation Tiger for over 40 years.

      There is a memorial at Torcross England dedicated to the US service men that died on April 28, 1944. My brother, Stan, was stationed in England at the same time I was but we never got the chance to get together.

      I was awarded the Purple Heart and I am proud to have served my country and to be remembered here at St. John's Cemetery.

      My name is Mark Jansen, a nephew of Martin and the son of Martin's brother, Whitie.
      Little Chute Historical Society Cemetery Walk 2012