Lt. William McGowan '37, US Air Force, KIA June 6, 1944: From Benson, Minn., McGowan graduated from the University of Missouri before joining the Army Air Corps in February 1943. He was a P-47 pilot in the 336th Fighter Group during WWII. His plane was shot down near St. Lo in Normandy, France, on D-Day, June 6, 1944, while on his third mission of the day. In 2018, an excavation of a crash site near the village of Moon-sur-Elle, France, yielded human remains that were identified as McGowan's. He was ceremoniously interred on July 9, 2022, at the Normandy American Cemetery, as one of the final burials there. McGowan was awarded the Purple Heart posthumously.

Capt. John McErlane '39, U.S. Air Force, KIA Jan. 21,1945: McErlane was the commander of “E” Company and a member of the Crack Drill Platoon at Saint Thomas Military Academy. He went on to serve as a B17 pilot with the 548th Bomb Squadron during WWII. On his 27th mission, he was killed when his plane was hit and crashed near Schutterwald, Germany. He is credited with saving his crew and the lives of others by avoiding crashing into a field where children were playing. There is a memorial in Schutterwald in his honor.

1st Lt. J. Anthony Malerich '40, U.S. Marine Corps: After 2 years of college, Malerich volunteered to be a pilot in the U.S. Marine Corps and served in the Pacific Theater during WWII. While in service, the engine of his Vought F4U Corsair died and his plane sank. Malerich survived and spent a day on a raft before he was rescued and continued his service with a new plane. After the war, Malerich returned to Minnesota, graduated from medical school, and spent almost 50 years as a physician in West St. Paul and Cottage Grove. He will turn 100 on Nov. 7, 2022.

Maj. Harry Paulet '43, U.S. Army: Born and raised in Saint Paul, Paulet was class president, captain of the football team and a member of the crack drill squad. Upon graduation, he joined the Army, attended Officer Candidate School and deployed to Europe, where he was injured. After recovery, he led a platoon during the Battle of the Bulge. He was awarded the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medals. After he was honorably discharged following the war in 1946, he served in the Army Reserves until 1985, when he retired as a major. He earned a law degree and was one of the founders of the Ramsey County Legal Aid Society. He passed away in 2000 at age 75.