Allegiance United States Died June 21, 1942 Name Edward Sellstrom Unit VF-3 | Rank Ensign Awards Navy Cross | |
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Born July 19, 1916
Ottawa, Ontario ( 1916-07-19 ) Battles/wars World War II
Pacific War | ||
Battles and wars Pacific War, World War II Service/branch U.S. Naval Reserve Education Gustavus Adolphus College | ||
Edward Robert Sellstrom (19 July 1916 - 21 June 1942) was a Naval aviator who died while in service with the United States Naval Reserve during World War II.
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Background
Edward Robert Sellstrom was born in Ottawa, Ontario. He graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College, St. Peter, Minnesota in 1939.
Navy career
He enlisted in the U.S. Naval Reserve as Seaman second class at Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 14 January 1941 and was appointed Aviation Cadet at Pensacola, Florida, on 20 March 1941. On 15 September 1941, he was commissioned Ensign, USNR. After duty in the Advanced Carrier Training Group, U.S. Pacific Fleet, he was assigned to Fighter Squadron 3, on board carrier USS Lexington (CV-2).
Awarded the Navy Cross
On 20 February 1942, Ensign Sellstrom intercepted an enemy bomber, determinedly pursued it through clouds and rain, and assisted in shooting it down despite heavy machine gun and cannon fire. Later that day, he intercepted and shot down another aircraft during an attack directed at his carrier by nine enemy bombers. As a result of his "skillful marksmanship and courage," he was awarded the Navy Cross. Ensign Sellstrom was killed in an airplane crash on 21 June 1942.
Namesake
USS Sellstrom (DE-255) was named in his honor. The ship was laid down on 16 March 1943 by the Brown Shipbuilding Company, Houston, Texas; launched on 12 May 1943; sponsored by Miss Genevieve Dahl, fiancé of Ensign Sellstrom; and commissioned on 12 October 1943, Lt. Comdr. William L. Maloney, USCG, in command.