Veikko Robert Ranta
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
RANTA, Veikko Robert
Veikko Robert Ranta was born on July 31st 1921 to Robert & Ida Marie [Tabell] Ranta in Chisholm, Minnesota.
Mr. Ranta entered the U.S. Army on December 19th 1942 at Fort Snelling in Minneapolis, Minnesota during WWII. Home at entry: Chisholm.
He served as a construction machine operator with Company B of the 742nd Military Police Battalion in New Guinea. He rose to the rank of Private First Class (PFC).
PFC Ranta earned the following merits for his service.
- Good Conduct Medal,
- American Campaign Medal,
- Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with 1 bronze battle star,
- World War II Victory Medal, -and-
- three overseas service bars.
He was honorably discharged on January 10th 1946, at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin. After the war he returned home and married Bernice Jenny “Bee” [Smith] on February 14th 1943 and they started a family.
Mr. Ranta died on May 6th 1969 at 47 years of age. He is buried at Calvary Cemetery in Chisholm.
Source(s):
Hometown Heroes: The St. Louis County World War II Project. 262.
Albert J. Amatuzio Research Center | Veterans Memorial Hall (vets-hall.org)
Page 1 WWII Draft Registration Cards - Fold3
Veikko Robert “Cowboy” Ranta (1921-1969) - Find a Grave Memorial
U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 - Ancestry.com
