By Deborah Larsen
Howard Albert Lamphier
Howard Albert Lamphier was born in Rochester, Michigan, on October 6, 1918, the son of Lloyd and Louise Grabman Lamphier. The Lamphier family lived on Ludlow Avenue in Rochester. Howard attended Rochester High School and graduated with the class of 1937.
Howard worked for Detroit Edison before enlisting in the U.S. Army in May 1941. He served as communications chief for a coast artillery unit and was deployed to the Pacific Theater of Operations in February 1942. He served 32 months in New Guinea, Saipan, and the East Indies. During that time, he was wounded in action twice and hospitalized with malaria.
When Howard returned to the U.S. in October 1944, he married the former Virginia Ladd. He was discharged from the military soon after and returned to civilian work as an electrician. He and Virginia eventually retired to North Port, Florida.
Howard Albert Lamphier died on July 4, 2007, at age 88 and was laid to rest in Woodlawn Cemetery, Detroit, Michigan.