On February 16, 1942, a little over two months after the United States entered WWII following the attack on Pearl Harbor, my dad (hereinafter referred to as Erwin) registered for the draft. It was the third draft since October of 1940 and was a requirement for all men born between 17 Feb 1897 and 31 Dec 1921 (ages 20-45) who had not previously registered. Erwin had just turned 20 the previous September.
According to Maj. Engstrom “I can’t help noticing the difference in the general attitude of men registering now and those who registered before the war. The first two drafts were in peace time, of course, and many registrants seemed to resent the compulsion. But it’s different now. The men seem to be eager to get in and do the job they know has to be done. I haven’t heard any grumbling this time.” Detroit Free Press, 16 Feb 1942.
The registration card listed Erwin as living at home with his parents at 1059 Wilson Avenue NW which was near Leonard and Walker in Grand Rapids. During the war the street name would be changed from Wilson to Patton because of confusion with another Wilson Street in nearby Walker. Erwin was employed at Grand Rapids Blow Pipe and Dust Arrester located on Monroe Avenue NW.
A little background about my dad: Erwin was born and raised on the NW side of Grand Rapids. He was the second child of Elmer and Joanna Holmquist. His older brother Leon tragically died in 1925 at the age of six. Erwin had five younger siblings born between the years 1923 and 1937 (Lois, Juliet, Arlene, Marjorie, and Paul). When he joined the Navy, his younger brother had just turned five years old. This picture was taken in the summer of 1937 when Erwin was 16 years old. Left to right: Erwin, Mother Joanna, Grandmother Hanna Holmquist holding Paul, Lois holding Marjorie. In front: Julie and Arlene.
Erwin attended the newly built West Leonard Elementary and later Harrison Park School in Grand Rapids. He only completed two years of high school. Like many teenagers during the 1930s, he did not graduate but instead entered the workforce. The 1939, 1940, and 1941 city directories and 1940 census list Erwin as working as a mechanic for his dad at Holmquist Garage.
The back of the registration states Erwin’s race as white. Height 5 ft. 10 1/2 in. and weight 180 lbs. He had brown eyes, brown hair, and a light brown complexion. The registration was completed in Kent County, Michigan on February 16, 1942.
Ancestors Across the Ages 