Biography - Part 1

Early Life
On February 20, 1927, Howard Glen Isbrandtsen was the first of seven children born to Frederick and Jennie Isbrandtsen in Brady, Nebraska. The family lived on a farm south of Brady, and the kids attended Brady Public Schools. Ibrandtsen’s perfect attendance and passion for history were recognized from a young age, as evidenced in the local newspaper. A history project featured in the paper demonstrated the evolution of transportation in America, which foreshadowed what he would later do in the military. 

in 1942, his family moved to a farm in central Nebraska outside Loup City in Sherman County. According to Sherman County residents, the family was remembered for being friendly, inviting, and welcoming to others, and they valued education.

Isbrandtsen participated in football, where his 6’6” height intimidated opponents. He helped out his family on the farm and tinkered with farm equipment as a hobby when he was not in school. According to the Sherman County Times, he worked for the county with the roads department. When he turned 18 in February 1945, he registered with the World War II local draft board during his senior year.

Homefront
Isbrandtsen’s hometown, Loup City, Nebraska, is located in rural central Nebraska and serves as the county seat of Sherman County. It is an agricultural area known as the “Polish Capital of Nebraska.” It is 45 miles from Grand Island and Kearney. 

In 1948, Nebraska's Governor Val Peterson announced plans for significant construction in Sherman County, which included a Middle Loup River diversion dam that took up to 40 sections of prime farming land near the Isbrandtsen farm. Fifteen years later, the Sherman County Reservoir was completed and became a recreational area. Other entertainment options included traveling to visit family and friends, enjoying a movie at the local movie theater, or dancing the night away at a local dance. Religion was important in the community, with five churches for a population of only 2,235 people in 1950. In 1951, Loup City celebrated its 70th anniversary of the first 200 residents incorporating the town along the Middle Loup River.

Loup City was not directly involved in the wartime effort. Still, the Korean War and news of those drafted and Veteran opportunities, especially agricultural training, were reported in the local newspaper, The Sherman County Times. Veterans who became disabled after the start of the Korean War were entitled to the Public Law 16 vocational rehabilitation training. This program was crucial in helping disabled Veterans reintegrate into the workforce and live independently. Other articles announced a congressional amendment to the Legion Chapter, which permitted honorably discharged veterans of the Korean War to join. Further articles informed residents about military men from Loup City who served in the military. These were often featured on the front page, along with other articles about sports, highway work, and car accidents.

Biography - Part 2

Military Experience
Howard Isbrandtsen traveled by train to Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, for his induction ceremony within 60 days after turning 18. He joined the U.S. Army on April 24, 1945, and was stationed at Fort Ord, California. Following World War II, he re-enlisted multiple times, committing to a military career. His deployments included Germany in 1946, Korea in 1951, and Vietnam in 1963.  

While stationed in Germany, he was a Military Police driver for military personnel who attended the Nuremberg Trials. He shared with his family how he stood on the sidelines of history without fully realizing the significance of this event. He was only 19 years old when tasked with this duty. Other jobs he held included running a supply depot in Berlin for six years and working in transportation maintenance, where he specialized in helicopters. He eventually became a helicopter maintenance instructor. Unfortunately, a fire destroyed his military records, so more complete details are unknown. 

Howard Isbrandtsen retired as a Specialist Six Class on November 1, 1965, in Fort Hamilton, New York, concluding his 20-year military career at age 38. He often shared that one of his favorite memories from his deployments was celebrating his nineteenth birthday in Paris, France.

Veteran Experience
Isbrandtsen moved to Milford, Nebraska, to attend the Nebraska Vocational Technical School to obtain a diesel technology degree. He met his wife, Leta Wittmuss, and they married on March 24, 1967. That same year, he graduated with his degree and welcomed their son and only child, Dennis. Upon graduation, he moved his family to Sargent, Nebraska, and found employment at Peterson-Drake Implement. 

During his years in Sargent, he was active in his community, volunteering, mentoring, and becoming a business owner. He mentored Danny Clark and became his business partner, opening C & I Repair Service. Mr. Clark recalled,

"Howard shared many stories about his time in the service and influenced my decision to join the Air Force. After my time in the Air Force, I returned to work with Howard at John Deere until they lost the dealership and eventually closed the store. In 1981, Howard and I started C & I Repair. Eventually, I bought Howard out and have been in business for over forty years. His training and influence put me on the path to a successful career in the repair business. Even as a teenager, Howard treated me like an adult. Even when I did something wrong, he was patient and calm while correcting me. He was instrumental in laying a foundation for my success. I will always be grateful for his influence in my life."

Isbrandtsen later moved to Grand Island to work at Monfort Meat Packing Plant. When his health declined, both he and his wife moved into the Grand Island Veterans Home.  

Commemoration
Howard Isbrandtsen passed away on Saturday, October 13, 2018, at CHI Health Bergan Mercy Hospital in Omaha, Nebraska. He was 91. He was buried at the Nebraska Veterans Home & Cemetery in Grand Island. The United Veterans Honor Guard and the U.S. Army Honor Team rendered military honors. He was buried beside his wife, Leta.

Bibliography
Primary Sources

“46 Listed For March Pre-Induction Exams.” The Sherman County Times [Loup City, NE], March 8, 1945. Newspapers.com (711259468).

Alexander, Charles. Defendants at the Nuremberg War Crimes Trials. Photograph. 1946. Harry S. Truman Library and Museum (72-923). https://www.trumanlibrary.gov/photograph-records/72-923.

“America is Bearing Korean War Brunt.” The Sherman County Times [Loup City, NE], December 20, 1951. Newspapers.com (711495248).

"Brady High School Sandburr." Brady Vindicator [Brady, NE], March 28, 1940. Newspapers.com (669981696).

Clarks, Danny. Interview with the author. December 10, 2024.

 “Five 18 Year Olds Register With Local Daft Board During Month of February.” The Sherman County Times [Loup City, NE], March 8, 1945. Newspapers.com (711259468).

"Fourth and Fifth Grades." Brady Vindicator [Brady, NE], April 7, 1938. Newspapers.com (670021811).

"Fred Isbrandtsen." The Grand Island Independent [Grand Island, Nebraska], September 2, 1975.

“Howard G. 'Hap' Isbrandtsen.” Curan Funeral Chapel. Accessed December 1, 2024. https://www.curranfuneralchapel.com/obituary/howard-isbrandtsen.

Howard G. Isbrandtsen. U.S., WWII Army Enlistment Records, 1938-1946. https://www.fold3.com. 

Howard G. Isbrandtsen. World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947. Digital Images. https://ancestryclassroom.com.

Howard Glen Isbrandtsen, Freedom of Information Act Request. National Archives and Records Administration - St. Louis.

Howard Glen Isbrandtsen. Nebraska, U.S., Birth Ledgers, 1904-1911, Birth Index, 1912-1994. https://ancestry.com. 

"Isbrandtsens Born to Sea." Ord Quiz [Ord, NE], May 31, 1962. Newspapers.com (743403582).

Isbrandtsen, Dennis. In-Person interview.  November 23, 2024.

Isbrandtsen, Dennis. Telephone interview.  October 11, 2024.

Isbrandtsen Family Photographs, 1920s-1930s. https://ancestryclassroom.com.   

Isbrandtsen Family Photographs. Courtesy of Dennis Isbrandtsen.

“Korean Veterans Eligible for On-Farm Training.” The Sherman County Times [Loup City, NE], February 4, 1954. Newspapers.com (711333437).

"Local News." The Sargent Leader [Sargent, NE], June 6, 1968. Newspapers.com (751404857).

Nebraska. Lincoln County. 1930 U.S. Census. Digital images. https://ancestryclassroom.com. 

“Proceedings of County Supervisors” The Sherman County Times [Loup City, NE], November 2, 1944. Newspapers.com (711258700). 

“News of Men in Service.” The Sherman County Times [Loup City, NE], September 2, 1954. Newspapers.com (711335438). 

“News of Rockville.” The Sherman County Times [Loup City, NE], February 22, 1951. Newspapers.com (711494474).

"Second and Third Grades." Brady Vindicator [Brady, NE], February 25, 1937. Newspapers.com (670021631).

“Training Privileges Seen for New Disabled Vets.” The Sherman County Times [Loup City, NE],  February 8, 1951. Newspapers.com (711494428).

Trompke, Donna. Telephone interview. November 11, 2024. 

“Two Loup Citians Drafted.” The Sherman County Times [Loup City, NE], February 26, 1953. Newspapers.com (711312676).

"Wittmuss-Isbrandtsen." The Milford Review [Milford, NE], March 30, 1967. Newspapers.com (732021706).

Secondary Sources

“Howard G. ‘Hap’ Isbrandtsen.” Find a Grave. Accessed March 31, 2024. https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/194011390/howard-g-isbrandtsen.

“Howard G. Isbrandstsen.” Veterans Legacy Memorial, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs. Accessed March 31, 2024. https://www.vlm.cem.va.gov/HOWARDGISBRANDTSEN/49C1D2. 

 Owens, Meroe J. A Brief History of Sherman County Nebraska. The Norfolk Daily News, 1952.

This profile was researched by Jaymeson Gappa, Brogan Setlik, and Paige Stanczyk, mentored by Loup City Public Schools teachers Mrs. Janet Kuszak and Mrs. Kim Henry, as part of a Veterans Legacy Grant Program led by National History Day in the 2024/2025 academic year.

This profile was funded by a grant from the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. The opinions, findings, and conclusions stated herein are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of the United States Department of Veterans Affairs.


Howard Isbranstsen’s parents, Jennie and Fred. Courtesy of the Isbrandtsen Family.

Woman on the left is in a flowered dress with a man in overalls.

Howard Isbrandtsen’s high school football recognition certificate, 1944. Courtesy of the Howard Isbrandtsen Family.

Howard Isbrandtsen (back row/left) at the Nuremberg Trials as an MP/Driver, 1946. Harry S. Truman Library and Museum (72-923).

Three military police officers stand behind three men in suits in a courtroom.

Howard Isbrandtsen's re-enlistment ceremony in Korea, 1953. Courtesy of the Isbrandtsen Family.

Two senior officers present a certificate to a junior officer while shaking hands.

Howard Isbrandtsen’s retirement certificate from the United States Army, 1965. Courtesy of the Isbrandtsen Family.

The certificate has the official seal of the U.S. government at the top.

Howard Isbrandtsen wearing his U.S. Army uniform, 1945. Courtesy of Dennis Isbrandtsen. 

Soldier in uniform looking directly into camera.

A feature in The Sargent Leader highlighting Isbrandtsen’s Associate degree in Diesel Technology, 1968.

Howard is looking directly into the camera and is dressed in a suit and tie.

Howard Isbrandtsen with his grandmother, Ida May Parsons, and another family member. Courtesy of the Isbrandtsen Family.

An elderly woman stands in the middle of two small children.

HOWARD G ISBRANDTSEN

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