Herman A. (Butch) Straubel

• Served: Dec 1942- September 1945
• World War II — Served on USS Fox 234, USS Yarnall 541, and USS Little Rock CL 92
• 7 Battle Stars

Deceased May 20, 1993. Interred Racine, Wisconsin.

Herman Arthur Straubel was born on July 12th 1913 in Racine WI to Carl Ernst and Amelia (Wegner) Straubel. He enlisted in the US Navy in December of 1942. He was awarded seven Battle stars for action aboard two destroyers, the USS Fox 234, and the USS Yarnall 541 in the Pacific. He also served aboard the USS Little Rock CL 92 a light cruiser in the Atlantic. Herman took part in the Aleutian Islands, the Invasion of Saipan, Tinian, Guam, Tawara, Peleliu, Truk, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. He also served in the naval battle of the Philippine Sea, and surface engagements with the Japanese Navy. He was discharged in September 1945.

After his service Herman worked for Economy Dry Cleaners, Straubel’s Cleaners, the Hartmann Luggage Works, and Racine Monuments. He was Married to Lillian Schrader. He was an avid outdoorsman, and hunter. In 1972 Herman, with his wife Lillian harvested a record book black bear near Mellen Wis. He also was quite a collector of vintage toys. Upon his death on May 21, 1993 he had amassed perhaps the largest collection of toy guns in the country. It took an auction company three days of auctions to sell the collection.