More detail on this person: Erickson, Colonel
Loren Thomas, USMC (Ret.), passed away on June
17, 2013 at the age of 87. "Tony" was born in
Brainerd, MN to Anna and Harold Erickson.
Predeceased by his wife of 56 years, Lee Erickson
in 2004. Survived by three daughters, Terry (Larry
Brown), Vickee Erickson and Loree (Roy Nakaue);
and grandson, Joseph Erickson (Sallyanne).
Tony graduated from Brainerd High School
(Honorary Society; Honor Graduate) in 1944.
Appointed Midshipman, USNR in September 1946,
transferring as a student to the Marine Corps in
1948. Graduated from Iowa State College (NROTC;
Honor Societies) in 1948 with a B.S. in Science.
Later attended Central Michigan Teachers College
(Navy; Honor Fraternities). Commissioned 2nd
Lieutenant in 1948, graduating from Marine Corps
Schools Fifth Basic Class in June 1949.
Colonel Erickson became a Marine Corps pilot in
1952. He flew fixed-wing fighter/attack planes and
helicopters. In 1953 he served in the Korean War
as a Sky Raider attack pilot. As a helicopter
pilot stationed in Quantico, VA, he was selected
as one of the Sikorsky helicopter pilots for
Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy, receiving the
White House Service Certificate for Honorable
Service in the White House. In 1957 he observed
the detonation of two nuclear bombs, Diablo and
Priscilla, at Camp Desert Rock, NY. He was later
classified an "Atomic Veteran". In 1966-69 be
served in Norway as Assistant Naval Attache for
the American Embassy in Oslo. In 1969-70 he
served with the 3rd Marine Air Wing in Vietnam as
Wing Inspector and Intelligence Officer, as well
as a helicopter pilot, in Da Nang.
Colonel Erickson received numerous Marine Corps
awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross,
Bronze Star (Combat "V"), Meritorious Service
Medal, 13 Air Medals (over 260 combat sorties),
Joint Service Commendation Medal, American
Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal,
Occupational Service Medal-Asia, National Defense
Medal- Honorable, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam
Service Medal, United Nations Service
Medal-Korea, and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
In 1975 he received a Master of Science Degree in
Administration from George Washington University,
Washington D.C. He retired from the military in
1976 after serving 30 years. As a civilian he was
employed by State Compensation Insurance Fund
as Fraud Investigator, and then as the Judge's
Liaison for Workers Compensation Appeals Board,
retiring in September 1989.
Tony was a member of the Mensa Society, the
Lions Club (Sec/Vice Pres), Alhambran Shriners,
Chattanooga Scottish Rite 32° (Vice Pres), Garden
Grove Masonic Lodge 351, and the Tustin Masonic
Lodge 241.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, June
28, 2013 at 1:00 pm, Fairhaven Memorial Park,
Rose Window Chapel. Tony will be laid to rest at
Evergreen Cemetery, Brainerd, MN, where
graveside services will be held. In lieu of
flowers, "The Colonel" requested donations be
made to Common Ground Church, 14051 Newport
Ave, Ste H, Tustin, CA 92780.
www.fairhavenmemorial.com
Published in Orange County Register on June 21,
2013
Erickson, Colonel Loren Thomas, USMC (Ret.),
passed away on June 17, 2013 at the age of 87.
"Tony" was born in Brainerd, MN to Anna and
Harold Erickson. Predeceased by his wife of 56
years, Lee Erickson in 2004. Survived by three
daughters, Terry (Larry Brown), Vickee Erickson
and Loree (Roy Nakaue); and grandson, Joseph
Erickson (Sallyanne).
Tony graduated from Brainerd High School
(Honorary Society; Honor Graduate) in 1944.
Appointed Midshipman, USNR in September 1946,
transferring as a student to the Marine Corps in
1948. Graduated from Iowa State College (NROTC;
Honor Societies) in 1948 with a B.S. in Science.
Later attended Central Michigan Teachers College
(Navy; Honor Fraternities). Commissioned 2nd
Lieutenant in 1948, graduating from Marine Corps
Schools Fifth Basic Class in June 1949.
Colonel Erickson became a Marine Corps pilot in
1952. He flew fixed-wing fighter/attack planes and
helicopters. In 1953 he served in the Korean War
as a Sky Raider attack pilot. As a helicopter
pilot stationed in Quantico, VA, he was selected
as one of the Sikorsky helicopter pilots for
Presidents Eisenhower and Kennedy, receiving the
White House Service Certificate for Honorable
Service in the White House. In 1957 he observed
the detonation of two nuclear bombs, Diablo and
Priscilla, at Camp Desert Rock, NY. He was later
classified an "Atomic Veteran". In 1966-69 be
served in Norway as Assistant Naval Attache for
the American Embassy in Oslo. In 1969-70 he
served with the 3rd Marine Air Wing in Vietnam as
Wing Inspector and Intelligence Officer, as well
as a helicopter pilot, in Da Nang.
Colonel Erickson received numerous Marine Corps
awards including the Distinguished Flying Cross,
Bronze Star (Combat "V"), Meritorious Service
Medal, 13 Air Medals (over 260 combat sorties),
Joint Service Commendation Medal, American
Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal,
Occupational Service Medal-Asia, National Defense
Medal- Honorable, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam
Service Medal, United Nations Service
Medal-Korea, and Vietnam Campaign Medal.
In 1975 he received a Master of Science Degree in
Administration from George Washington University,
Washington D.C. He retired from the military in
1976 after serving 30 years. As a civilian he was
employed by State Compensation Insurance Fund
as Fraud Investigator, and then as the Judge's
Liaison for Workers Compensation Appeals Board,
retiring in September 1989.
Tony was a member of the Mensa Society, the
Lions Club (Sec/Vice Pres), Alhambran Shriners,
Chattanooga Scottish Rite 32° (Vice Pres), Garden
Grove Masonic Lodge 351, and the Tustin Masonic
Lodge 241.
A memorial service will be held on Friday, June
28, 2013 at 1:00 pm, Fairhaven Memorial Park,
Rose Window Chapel. Tony will be laid to rest at
Evergreen Cemetery, Brainerd, MN, where
graveside services will be held. In lieu of
flowers, "The Colonel" requested donations be
made to Common Ground Church, 14051 Newport
Ave, Ste H, Tustin, CA 92780.
www.fairhavenmemorial.com
Burial information: Evergreen Cemetery, Brainerd, MN
This information was last updated 05/18/2016
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