Alaska Highway. Company H&S. Born: 11 November 1917, Fresno County, California. Died: 20 November 2002, Carmel Valley, Monterey, California.
He enlisted on 7 May 1941 at Los Angeles, California, completed Officer Candidate School at Ft. Belvoir and received his 2nd Lieutenant commission.
He was assigned to the 97th Engineer Regiment and in April of 1942 landed with them at Valdez, Alaska. Three feet of snow covered the ground. The 97th constructed the northern section of the Alaska Highway. Second Lt. Otter was promoted to 1st Lt. in December 1942 and later earned his Captain’s bars.
He was a graduate of the University of California of Berkeley. He was a professional forester, registered civil engineer and a licensed land surveyor. John worked for the Los Angeles County Department of Forest and Fire Warden, California State Parks, and California Division of Forestry. He retired in 1975 after 30 years of service.
He was an inventor and a patent holder and his artistic talents were demonstrated in his cartoon collection called “Hospital Daze”. He enjoyed playing the brass horn and when at his cabin in British Columbia, Canada, he sailed and canoed in the many lakes and rivers and camped in the wilderness. He was a member of many professional associations and local California clubs and societies.
His father was Sidney Boswell Otter (1976-1957) and his mother was Francis Goree (1890-1939). His wife of 60 years was Jeanette Weld Otter (1919-2011) of Carmel Highlands and they had three daughters, Marjorie, Nancy and Alice, and three sons, Lee, John Jr and Robert.
Serial #O-456372