Wilbur Almo Larson
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Wilbur Almo Larson |
Wilbur Almo Larson was born June 14, 1913, in Farmington Twp., Waupaca Co., WI and died October 19, 1996, in Las Vegas, NV at age 83. Wilbur was the son of Almo Joshua Larson of Farmington Twp., Waupaca Co., WI and Emma Jane Abbey of Orion Twp., Richland Co., WI. Ruth Gertrude Bickett was born December 23, 1916, in Yellow Springs, Greene Co., OH and died February 5, 1987, in Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI at age 70. Ruth was the daughter of Leroy McVey Bickett of Xenia Twp., Greene Co., OH and Gertrude Pearl Patricia Baker of Yellow Springs, Greene Co., OH. Bill and Ruth eloped and were married on March 2, 1940, in Dubuque, Dubuque Co., IA. Bill and Ruth had three children:
After Ruth's death Bill married Cleo Elizabeth Anderson on July 11, 1987, in Sun City West, Maricopa Co., AZ. Cleo Elizabeth Mikkleson was born March 11, 1918, in Grinnell, Poweshiek Co., IA, and died July 27, 2000, in Green Valley, Pima Co., AZ at age 82. She was the daughter of Harry A. Mikkleson and Mary Elizabeth Bothwell. Cleo was first married to Charles Fischer (aka Charles Fuller) about 1940 in Iowa. Charles Fischer was born January 25, 1902, in Germany and died August 1987 in Las Vegas, Clark Co., NV, at age 85. He was the son of Paul Rebman Fischer and Francesca Lehman, both of Germany. TIMELINE Wilbur Almo Larson was born June 14, 1913, in Farmington Twp., Waupaca Co., WI. Ruth Gertrude Bickett was born December 23, 1916, in Yellow Springs, Greene Co., OH. Cleo Elizabeth Mikkleson was born March 11, 1918, in Grinnell, Poweshiek Co., IA. The WWI Draft Registration Card and Registrar's Report taken on September 12, 1918, at Milwaukee, WI, shows Leroy McVey Bickett was judged OK. L M Bickett signed his name on the form. Tall Height, Stout Build, Dk Brown Hair and Gray Eyes. He was employed as Superintendent of Petley Rubber Mfg. Co., 241 Oregon Street, Milwaukee, WI. He was living at 565 Van Remuadt, Milwaukee, WI. His wife, Gertrude P. Bickett of Yellow Springs, OH was his nearest relative. The WWI Draft Registration Card and Registrar's Report taken on September 12, 1918, shows Almo Joshua Larson, born June 29, 1885, is a married Farmer living in Farmington Twp., Waupaca Co., WI. The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 3, 1920, shows Almo Larson (age 34) born in Wisconsin to Swedish-born parents is a Farmer owning his own farm in Parmington Twp., Waupaca Co., WI. Living with him is his wife Emma Larson (age 35) born in Wisconsin to Canadian and Pennsylvania-born parents. Also there is their son, Wilbur (age 6) born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents. Living in the house is Almo's widowed father, Olaus Larson (age 69) born in Sweden to Swedish-born parents who is listed as a farmer emigrating from Sweden in 1871 and naturalized in 1880. The 1920 U. S. Census taken on January 15, 1920, shows LeRoy M. Bickett (age 36) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents is a Superintendent at a Rubber Factory who his renting his home at 604 Farwell Street, Ward 18, Milwaukee, Milwaukee Co., WI. Living with him is his wife Gertrude Bickett (age 39) born in Ohio to Ohio and Prussian-born parents. Also there are their two children, both born in Ohio: Helen Bickett (age 7), and Ruth Bickett (age 3). Also living there is Gertrude's widowed mother, Helen Baker (age 75) born in Prussia to Prussian-born parents. The 1921 City Directory for Watertown, WI shows Leroy Bickett is living at 900 6th Street, essentially the intersection of 6th and Bailey Streets. The house at 700 Clyman Street is vacant. The 1924 City Directory for Watertown, WI shows Leroy Bickett is living at 700 Clyman Street, essentially the intersection of 7th and Clyman Streets. This is the home he would live in the rest of his life. The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 12, 1930, shows Almo Larson (age 44) born in Wisconsin to Swedish-born parents and first married at age 25 is a General Farmer owning his own farm in Farmington Twp., Waupaca Co., WI. Living with him is his wife Emma Larson (age 46) born in Wisconsin to English Canadian and Wisconsin-born parents and first married at age 26. Also living there is their son Wilbur Larson (age 16) born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents. A niece, Marian Stratman (age 14) born in Wisconsin to Wisconsin-born parents also lives there. Leslie Harris, a 30 year old unmarried Farm Laborer, also is lodging there. The 1930 U. S. Census taken on April 10, 1930, shows Le Roy Bickett (age 46) born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents and first married at age 28 is a manager of a rubber factory who owns his home valued at $12,000 at 700 Clyman Street, Ward 9, City of Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI. Living with him is his wife Gertrude Bickett (age 50) born in Ohio to Ohio and German-born parents and first married at age 32. Also there are their two children, both born in Ohio to Ohio-born parents: Helen Bickett (age 17), and Ruth Bickett (age 13). The Stevens Point Daily Journal, Stevens Point, WI, Wednesday, September 23, 1931 Oakland Briefs Oakland, Farmington. September 22 - Wilbur Larson left last Tuesday for Madison, where he will attend the university. Mrs. Maude Stratman returned from Plainfield last Tuesday. Bill and Ruth eloped and were married on March 2, 1940, in Dubuque, Dubuque Co., IA. Bill Larson was enrolled in the R.O.T.C. program at the University of Wisconsin, Madison. He served as an officer in the U. S. Army in WWII, eventually reaching the rank of Lieutenant Colonel before he retired from the Army Reserves. He was authorized to wear the insignia and medals shown below, although not arranged here as correctly displayed on a uniform.
O-5, Army Lieutenant Colonel
Philippine Liberation Medal Ribbon - World War II Criteria: Awarded to any service member, of both Philippine and allied militaries, who participated in the liberation of the Philippine Islands between the dates of October 17, 1944 and September 2, 1945. To be awarded the medal, a service member must have served in the Philippines for at least thirty days during the eligible time period, or must have participated in one of the following actions: Participation in the initial landing operation of Leyte and adjoining islands from October 7 to October 20, 1944; or Participation in any engagement against hostile Japanese forces during the Philippine Liberation Campaign of October 17, 1944 to September 2, 1945. Personnel who are awarded the medal for participation in the above mentioned operations are authorized a service star to the Philippine Liberation Medal. Personnel who earned the medal for general service during the eligible time period are awarded the medal without device. Attachments: Bronze Star Device.This service ribbon is issued by the military along with an accompanying medal. Check the appropriate Branch of Service category for purchase of its medal counterpart.
Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal - WWII Ribbon Criteria: Awarded to any member of the United States military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945. There were twenty one official campaigns of the Pacific Theater, denoted on with a service star. The arrowhead device is authorized for those campaigns involving amphibious assaults. Credible campaigns for the Pacific Theater are as follows: Philippine Islands 7 Dec 41 - 10 May 42; Burma, 1942 7 Dec 41 - 26 May 42; Central Pacific 7 Dec 41 - 6 Dec 43; East Indies 1 Jan 42 - 22 Jul 42; India-Burma 2 Apr 42 - 28 Jan 45; Air Offensive, Japan 17 Apr 42 - 2 Sep 45; Aleutian Islands 3 Jun 42 - 24 Aug 43; China Defensive 4 Jul 42 - 4 May 45; Papua 23 Jul 42 - 23 Jan 43; Guadalcanal 7 Aug 42 - 21 Feb 43; New Guinea 24 Jan 43 - 31 Dec 44; Northern Solomons 22 Feb 43 - 21 Nov 44; Eastern Mandates 7 Dec 43 - 14 Jun 44; Bismarck Archipelago 15 Dec 43 - 27 Nov 44; Western Pacific 17 Apr 44 - 2 Sep 45; Leyte 17 Oct 44 - 1 Jul 45; Luzon 15 Dec 44 - 4 Jul 45; Central Burma 29 Jan 45 - 15 Jul 45; Southern Philippines 27 Feb 45 - 4 Jul 45; Ryukyus 26 Mar 45 - 2 Jul 45; China Offensive 5 May 45 - 2 Sep 45. Additionally, the following Pacific Theater “blanket” campaigns qualify - but without service stars: Antisubmarine 7 Dec 41 - 2 Sep 45; Ground Combat: 7 Dec 41 - 2 Sep 45; Air Combat: 7 Dec 41 - 2 Sep 45.This service ribbon is issued by the military along with an accompanying medal. Check the appropriate Branch of Service category for purchase of its medal counterpart.
Bronze Star Device Criteria: A service star, also referred to as a battle star, campaign star, or engagement star, is an attachment to a military decoration which denotes participation in military campaigns or multiple bestowals of the same award. Service stars are typically issued for campaign medals, service medals, ribbon awards, and certain military badges. Service stars are different from award stars, which are issued for multiple awards of meritorious and combat decorations. The United States military issues bronze and silver and gold service stars, with a silver service star issued “in lieu” of five bronze. For instance, six campaigns, served on a campaign medal, would be annotated by one silver and one bronze service star. In some situations, service stars are only issued after the second award of a decoration. For instance, three awards of a Sea Service Ribbon would be annotated by the ribbon with two bronze service stars. The United States Army also occasionally issues award numerals, instead of service stars, to denote multiple awards of certain ribbon decorations. In addition to award numerals, the United States Army uses the same Gold award star that is worn on many Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard decorations to denote the tenth and final award of the Army Sea Duty Ribbon. Service stars issued for actions in which a United States Navy vessel participated are also placed on campaign streamers, which are affixed to the U.S. Navy flag. The regulations for this originated in 1942, which defined naval campaign areas and designated engagements. Participation in such engagements, by ships and by individuals, was then denoted by service stars. The United States Army followed a very similar practice with ground campaigns and battle engagements. A common point of confusion is to confuse bronze and silver service stars with the Silver Star and Bronze Star Medal. The main difference between the two is that the Bronze and Silver Star Medals are individual decorations while service stars are worn on awards and are not individual decorations or medals.
American Defense Medal - WW II Ribbon Criteria: Army: Authorized to any military member who performed duty between September 8, 1939 and December 6, 1941. Members of the United States Army were required to perform at least one year of duty, during the above time period, while United States Navy, U.S. Coast Guard, and United States Marine Corps personnel were awarded the medal for any length of service during the eligible time frame. This service ribbon is issued by the military along with an accompanying medal.
Army Presidential Unit Citation Criteria: Awarded to U.S. Army units and allies for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy on or after December 7, 1941 (marking the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor and the U.S. entrance into World War II). The unit must display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions so as to set it apart from and above other units participating in the same campaign. The degree of heroism required is the same as that which would warrant award of the Distinguished Service Cross to an individual. The Army citation was established as the Distinguished Unit Citation on February 26, 1942, and received its present name on November 3, 1966. All members of the unit may wear the decoration, whether or not they personally participated in the acts for which the unit was cited. Only those assigned to the unit at the time of the action cited may wear the decoration as a permanent award. For the Army and Air Force, the emblem itself is a solid blue ribbon enclosed in a gold frame. The Citation is carried on the unit's regimental colors in the form of a blue streamer, four feet long and 2 3/4 inches wide. This unit citation ribbon is one of the few awards issued by the military as a ribbon only. There is no accompanying medal.
Combat Infantry Badge Criteria: Presented to Army infantry enlisted soldiers, infantry or special forces officers in the grade of Colonel or below, or warrant officers with an infantry or special forces MOS - who subsequent to December 6, 1941, has satisfactorily performed duty while assigned or attached as a member of an infantry, ranger or special forces unit of brigade, regimental, or smaller size during any period such unit was engaged in active ground combat. Eligibility for Special Forces personnel (less the Special Forces medical sergeant) accrues from December 20, 1989. Retroactive awards for Special Forces personnel are not authorized. A recipient must be personally present and under hostile fire while serving in an assigned infantry or special forces primary duty, in a unit actively engaged in ground combat with the enemy. The unit in question can be of any size smaller than brigade. Personnel with other than an infantry or special forces MOS are not eligible, regardless of the circumstances. Awards will not be made to general officers nor to members of headquarters companies of units larger in size than brigade. Second and third awards of the CIB are indicated by superimposing 1 and 2 stars respectively, centered at the top of the badge between the points of the oak wreath. It, and the simultaneously created Expert Infantryman Badge were created with the primary goal of recognizing the sacrifices of the infantrymen who were disproportionately likely to be killed or wounded during World War II.
Officer U.S. Letters – Branch Insignia Criteria: U.S. Army branch insignia letters are worn in concert with branch insignia badges. U.S. Army branch insignia badges represent each individual service member’s specific field of service. Each soldier – both enlisted personnel and officers – wear their branch insignia badge on his or her formal uniform (Class A or Army dress blues) denoting their particular skill set. Army branch insignia badges are separate from Army qualification badges, in that, qualification badges require completion of a training course or school, whereas branch insignia badges are issued to a service member upon assignment to a particular area of the Army. Enlisted soldiers wear the branch insignia on the left coat lapel (opposite the “U.S.” insignia disk). Officers wear their branch insignia on the lower half of both lapels beneath the “U.S.” insignia. Army personnel began wearing branch insignia just prior to the Civil War in the 1850s.
Officer Infantry – Branch Insignia Criteria: U.S. Army branch insignia badges represent each individual service member’s specific field of service. Each soldier – both enlisted personnel and officers – wear their branch insignia badge on his or her formal uniform (Class A or Army dress blues) denoting their particular skill set. Army branch insignia badges are separate from Army qualification badges, in that, qualification badges require completion of a training course or school, whereas branch insignia badges are issued to a service member upon assignment to a particular area of the Army. Enlisted soldiers wear the branch insignia on the left coat lapel (opposite the “U.S.” insignia disk). Officers wear their branch insignia on the lower half of both lapels beneath the “U.S.” insignia. Army personnel began wearing branch insignia just prior to the Civil War in the 1850s.
Ruth Gertrude (Bickett) Larson died February 5, 1987, in Watertown, Jefferson Co., WI, at age 70. After Ruth's death, Bill married Cleo Elizabeth Anderson. Bill and Cleo Elizabeth (Mikkleson) (Fuller) Anderson were married on July 11, 1987, in Sun City West, Maricopa Co., AZ. Wilbur Almo Larson died October 19, 1996, in Las Vegas, NV at age 83. Cleo Elizabeth (Mikkleson) (Fuller) (Anderson) Larson died July 27, 2000, in Green Valley, Pima Co., AZ at age 82.
L. M. Bickett Office Employee Christmas Party, Watertown, WI, about 1960.
Bill and Ruth's 25th Wedding Anniversary - Watertown, WI - 1965
Wilbur Larson - Watertown, WI - 1947
Ruth and Leigh Larson - Watertown, WI, 1942
Reed, Ruth, Leigh - Watertown, WI - 1943
Ruth Larson was a Nurses Aide in the United States Citizens Defense Corps of Wisconsin, Watertown, WI, 1943. Click here for a PDF image.
Ruth Larson was a Nurses Aide in the United States Citizens Defense Corps of Wisconsin, dated July 28, 1943, Watertown, WI.
Bill and Cleo - about 1992 Cleo and Bill - Las Vegas, NV - 1994
Bill & Cleo - Las Vegas, NV - 1995
August 10, 1992
Watertown, WI - 1998
Lake Mills, WI - 2000
"The Larson Boys" Watertown, WI, August 13, 2005 (Will, Bruce, Leigh, Reed).
"The Extended Family Group" Watertown, WI, August 13, 2005 (Will, Jean, Bruce, Leigh, Nancy, Reed). Missing from the picture: Joyce, Rob, Julie, Hope, Mal. Wilbur A. Larson, R4, #121, Waupaca, Wis. Ruth Bickett, 220 Lake Lawn Place, Madison, Wisconsin; Badger-3146 or 3147 Ruth Gertrude Bickett, 220 Lake Lawn Place, B. 3146, Madison, Wisconsin
The Milwaukee Journal, Sunday, December 15, 1935 University Crowd and Madison Townspeople in Midst of Busy Season TWENTY-FIVE of the most beautiful young women at the University of Wisconsin have been selected by their sororities and dormitories as candidates in the annual Badger beauty contest sponsored by the university yearbook. Some of the candidates are pictured here. From the entire list six girls will be chosen as final Badger beauties by Max Factor, Hollywood cosmetician, and George Petty, Esquire and cigaret advertisement artist. The winners will be pictured in this year's Badger. In the group here are (left to right) Mary Belle Lawton of Brodhead, the candidate of Gamma Phi Beta; Mary Lou Montgomery of Milwaukee, Kappa Alpha Theta; Ruth Bickett of Watertown, Alpha Gamma Delta; Gretchen Schmidt, Wauwatosa, Delta Zeta, and Grace Carlson, Sheboygan,, Langdon Hall. (Photoart Studio Photos, Madison)
Galveston Coastal News, Friday, June 25, 1937: To the right are a group of visitors from Wisconsin, who have been spending the week here as the guests of Mrs. W. J. Chapman and daughter, Miss Jean Chapman. Miss Ruth Bickett, standing, and Miss Helen Bickett, seated on the top step, are the daughters of Mr. and Mrs. L. M. Bickett of Watertown, Wis., and the nieces of Mrs. Chapman. They were accompanied by Miss Doris Kaddatz, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. E. C. Kaddatz, of Watertown, who is seated on the lowest step. Miss Chapman who is pictured with the group will accompany them when they leave. They will spend a few days in New Orleans before returning home.
Ruth Bickett, about 1937.
Ruth Bickett, about 1937.
Ruth Bickett and friends, about 1934.
Bill Larson at Pine Lake, about 1945. Waukesha Daily Freeman, Waukesha, WI, Friday, January 9, 1948 Ask Permit for Radio Station at Watertown WASHINGTON, (UP) - The Federal Communications commission announced today that the Rock River Valley Broadcasting company had applied for permission to operate a standard station at Watertown, Wis. The application proposed that the station operate with a power of 250 watts on a frequency of 920 kilocycles, daytime only. L. M. Bickett, who owns the L. M. Bickett company, rubber manufacturers, Watertown, is chairman of the board of the broadcasting company. W. A. Larson, Bickett's son-in-law and sales manager of the Bickett company, is president of the broadcasting company.
Ruth (Bickett) Larson, about 1960.
Bill and Ruth (Bickett) Larson, about 1960.
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