William George Tesser
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Navy
TESSER, William George
William George Tesser was born on September 23rd 1926 to Charles William & Lempi Olga Onetar "Lila" [Halonen] Tesser in Duluth, Minnesota.
Mr. Tesser was inducted in the U.S. Naval Reserves on December 21st 1944 during WWII. He rose to the rank of Electrician's Mate 3rd Class (EM3/c).
EM3 Tesser served aboard the USS Albacore (SS-218) which sank off of northern Japan when it hit a mine on November 7th 1944. All 86 crew were lost. William was just 18 years of age. He was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.
He is honored with his name etched on one of the many tablet walls in the National Cemetery of the Pacific (aka. Punchbowl) in Honolulu, Hawaii. It is dedicated to those lost in battle who are still missing.
Mr. Tesser was declared dead on December 13th 1945. The wreck of USS Albacore was recenty located and its identity confirmed on February 16, 2023
Source(s):
Albert J. Amatuzio Research Center | Veterans Memorial Hall (vets-hall.org)
Page 35 WWII Navy Muster Rolls - Fold3
Fold3 - William G Tesser in American Battle Monuments Commission
EM3 William George Tesser (1926-1944) - Find a Grave Memorial
U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010 - Ancestry.com
Wreck of Long-Lost USS Albacore (SS-218) Discovered Off the Coast of Japan (warhistoryonline.com)
