Alaska Highway. Company E. Born: 15 September 1915, Hennepin, Minnesota. Died: 26 December 1984, San Diego, CA. Enlisted: (1) 25 February 1941. (2) 25 November 1942, Los Angeles, CA. Discharged: 21 January 1946.
The segregated 97th Engineers landed in Valdez, Alaska on 29 April 1942. Three feet of snow covered the ground. The 97th built the northern section of the Alaska Highway. Lt. Blethen arrived to the Highway in December 1942 and was assigned to Company E. He and the regiment left the Highway in July 1943.
Education: Post Graduate San Diego State College. Civilian occupation: teacher in San Diego schools. His father was James O. Blethen an assistant manager in cold storage (1888-1979). His mother was Lucy Francis Healey Blethen (1889-1979).
His sister was Mary Francis Patricia Blethen and his brother was John Francis Blethen.
Serial #O-1106597