Jack Gifford Ehlerding graduated from Pensacola High School in the Class of 1940. He was born in 1923 in Polk County, Minnesota, the son of Julian and Clara Ehlerding and the brother of his sisters Billy Jane and Nancy May. He graduated from high school in 1940 and enlisted in the US Navy in January 1941. He attended the Naval Radio School, finishing 2nd in his class. He served on the USS Arkansas, USS New York, and the USS Texas before volunteering to submarine duty as a 1st Class radioman. He was assigned to the USS Trout, which left for their 11th patrol on February 16, 1944.
On February 29th they intercepted a Japanese convoy bound for Saipan and Guam with reinforcements from the 29th Infantry Division. These troops would be directly confronting Jack’s Pensacola High School classmates that would be storming ashore in July. The Trout stalked the convoy until they were in position to attack even though they were heavily guarded. The Trout sunk the enemy transport Sakito Maru, killing 2,200 enemy soldiers of the 3,500 aboard from the 18th Regiment. They damaged another large transport before falling victim to the enemy’s 20 depth charges. Jack was reported missing in action although everyone knew he was never coming home.
Today, there is a grave marker at Barrancas National Cemetery in Pensacola, Florida with a death date of January 12, 1946. However, this date does not represent the actual date of death. His body, as well as those of his comrades aboard the USS, was never recovered.
RM1 Jack Gifford Ehlerding, KIA USS Trout,
2-29-1944, PHS Class of 1940
USS Trout 1942
Pensacola News Journal Article 7-23-1944
Memorial Grave, Barrancas National Cemetery, Pensacola, FL