Delbert Elza Mendenhall was born October 24, 1918 in Zurich, Kansas to Elza and Edith (Pywell) Mendenhall.

He enlisted in the United States Army Air Forces in October 1941. He trained as an airplane mechanic. He was deployed to the Pacific Theater of Operations during WWII, serving with the 8TH PHOTOGRAPHIC RECONNAISSANCE SQUADRON.

TSGT Mendenhall died Non-Battle (DNB) on August 25, 1944 on Biak Island, New Guinea. According to Plainville Times, the following letter was received by his family in regards to his death. “Dear Mr. Mendenhall: It is with a deep sense of regret that I must inform you that your son Technical Sergeant Delbert E. Mendenhall, was killed as a result of an airplane crash during a local test flight on 25 August 1944. I had known Delbert for only a few months, but during that time I had learned to respect him, both for his cheerful willingness to do more than his share of the work and for his extensive knowledge of his job. You may be very proud of your son, as are the officers and men of the squadron. Delbert's personal effects have been inventoried, and will be forwarded to the Effects Quartermaster, U. S. Army, Kansas City, Missouri, for forwarding to you. For further information regarding (a ) his effects, (b ) his arrears and gratuity pay, and (c ) Government Insurance, you are advised to communicate directly with (a ) the Effects Quartermaster (b ) the General Accounting Officer, Washington, D. C., and (c) the Veterans Administration, Washington, D. C. May I again express my own personal sense of loss and that of the officers and men of the squadron. If there is anything that I can do for you please do not hesitate to call upon me. Sincerely, Richard J. Shipway, Major, Air Corps, Commanding”

TSGT Delbert Elza Mendenhall was interred at APO 920 on Biak Island on August 27, 1944. He was transferred to Fort Leavenworth for internment on March 22, 1949.

References

“Delbert Mendenhall Killed On Biak Island”. Plainville Times – September 7, 1944. p.1.
"Delbert Elza Mendenhall". Find A Grave. Retrieved May 8, 2021.
"Delbert E Mendenhall". HonorStates.org. Retrieved May 8, 2021.

Delbert E Mendenhall