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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Date posted on this site: 08/31/2024
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