Ilene Cecilia Pearson
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
Ilene Cecilia Pearson
Ilene Cecilia Pearson was born on May 24th 1923 in Rice Lake Township, Minnesota, She was the daughter of Tycko & Carolina [Carlson] Pearson. She graduated from Duluth Denfeld High School.
Ms. Pearson served in World War II and Korea. She enlisted in the U.S. Navy beginning on February 17th 1943 during WWII and with the USAF during the Korean War Her rank was Yeoman 3rd Class.
Yeoman Pearson was assigned to the Bureau of Naval Personnel, Washington, D.C, and to the Joint Intelligence Center, Pacific Ocean Area, Pearl Harbor, Territory of Hawaii. While at Pearl Harbor she worked as a photo interpreter who analyzed aerial reconnaissance film and helped create maps She was honorably discharged on February 7th 1946.
Ms. Pearson also went on to serve as a Staff Sergeant (SSGT) during the Korean Conflict. She is spotlighted on the Salute to Servicewomen traveling exhibit produced by the St. Louis County Historical Society.
Ms. Pearson passed away on August 18th 2019 in Two Harbors, Minnesota. She is buried in the Ft. Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Source: Veterans’ Memorial Hall veteran history form, [I-02875] above;
Veteran’s account (below)
“My most memorable job was at the Joint Intelligence Center near Pearl Harbor I was assigned to the Photo Litho Section, where we processed the aerial reconnaissance film from all over the South Pacific. Photo Interpreters viewed the films and selected exposures that would be beneficial in making maps of strategic locations. I typed the orders for the development of desired exposures. These prints were then given to the Cartography Section for map making."
“On an R&R picnic one afternoon, I was sitting by a sergeant from Cartography, and he said, ‘I put two dots on a map today. They’ll make history. I can’t tell you where, but you’ll know soon.’ Indeed we did. “It wasn’t too long after that we were awakened in the wee hours of the morning by the Marine guard at the base next door. He told us that deadly bombs were dropped in two locations and the war was practically over."
“Quite a noisy celebration followed.”
Source(s):
Albert J. Amatuzio Research Center | Veterans Memorial Hall (vets-hall.org)
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S., Arriving and Departing Passenger and Crew Lists, 1900-1959 - Ancestry.com
Ilene Cecelia Pearson (1923-2019) - Find a Grave Memorial
U.S., Public Records Index, 1950-1993, Volume 1 - Ancestry.com
