Perham High School graduates have a rich and fruitful history. We’ve gone on to accomplish many great feats, both big and small. We hope to share stories of graduates through this column. Together, we celebrate our Treasured Past.
The 1934 Perham Yellowjackets starting football team is a great representation of the many who served our country in times of need. After graduating, they went out in the world to make their mark. Nine became decorated military heroes and one a priest. To encourage perseverance and service to others, a life-size photo of the team is now proudly hanging in the Great Hall of the new Perham High School.
Front row, from left: Earl Lemkuhl, Lloyd Schumacher, Vern Caughey, Bill Durrenberger, Jim Doll, Paul Feyereisen and Bob Durrenberger.
Standing are Bud Morgenroth, Phil Stoll, George Rasmussen and Ed Webber. Coach was Arthur Molander. Note the thinly padded uniforms and heavy shoes.
Here are their stories:
Earl Lehmkuhl
Survived aircraft mechanical failure over Asia in WWII, he and crew bailed out and were rescued by Chinese partisans. He served as a Staff Sergeant in the China, Burma and India Campaign as a radio operator/gunner on the B-24 Liberator, often called the “Flying Coffin”, due to exiting difficulties. Earl earned the Distinguished Flying Cross Air medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters. Wife Evelyn’s wedding dress was made from the parachute that saved his life. Born: 28 Sept., 1919. Died: 9 June, 2004.
Lloyd Schumacher
1st Lt., US Army. Born 24 Oct., 1917, died 27 Nov., 1980. Injured (broken leg) in a domestic military plane crash that killed 5 and injured 13 others. Flight from Wright Field in Dayton, Ohio to Wold Chamberlain Field in Minneapolis. Both engines on a C-47 transport failed simultaneously shortly after take-off. Buried at Ft. Snelling Cemetery.
Vern Caughey
Born 30 April, 1917 in Perham. Graduated from PHS in 1935. Died 18 Feb., 1991 in Minneapolis. Funeral held at Mora Elementary School.
William “Bill” Durrenberger
Major General (2 Star) U.S. Army. Served during WWII, Korea and Viet Nam. Linked to development of M14 and M60 weapons. Born 15 March, 17, died 11 June, 02. Distinguished Service Medal Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Oak Leaf Cluster. 30 years of distinguished service. MBA Syracuse University. Coordinated Guided Missile and Rocket Design and Development. Brother to Robert Durrenberger.
William “Bill” Durrenberger
Major General (2 Star) U.S. Army. Served during WWII, Korea and Viet Nam. Linked to development of M14 and M60 weapons. Born 15 March, 17, died 11 June, 02. Distinguished Service Medal Oak Leaf Cluster, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Oak Leaf Cluster. 30 years of distinguished service. MBA Syracuse University. Coordinated Guided Missile and Rocket Design and Development. Brother to Robert Durrenberger.
James P. Doll
Born 10 Feb., 1919. Died 13 March, 72. PHS class of ’37. Career of research at University of California and LOBUND Lab. (Laboratory of Bacteriology University of Notre Dame). He graduated from Notre Dame in 1942 and was ordained as a Holy Cross priest in 1946. Named Notre Dame’s Southern California “Man of the Year”. Father Doll earned a PhD in Microbiology and is buried at Holy Cross Cemetery, University of Notre Dame. While in high school he won a $1,000 grand prize in a national essay contest and was captain of the football team his senior year.
Paul Feyerheisen
Major General (2 Star), US Army, WWII. Burma campaign. Born 26 November 1917, died 25 July 2010. Oversaw construction of the first telephone and telegram communications between Burma and China. Awarded Legion of Merit medal for service in the China-Burma Campaign. BS in Electrical Engineering from Sophia University, Tokyo and MBA from Harvard. Later oversaw communication systems development between allied nations, involved in development of night vision goggles. Buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Robert “Bob” Durrenberger
Born 2 October 18, died 20 October 12. Major Army Air Corp, WWII. Meteorologist who served in the Pacific SW. Received PhD from UCLA in Climatology, published numerous articles on solar energy and climatology; became the first Climatologist for the state of Arizona. Named Distinguished Alumnus at Moorhead State where he received his BS degree. In his obit, the family listed St. Mary’s Food Bank Alliance as the only donation recipient. Brother and teammate of William “Bill” Durrenberger.
William (or August) “Bud” Morganroth
Served as a Chief Pharmacist Mate in the US Navy during WWII as did two of his brothers. While stationed in Trinidad he “was honored to have President Roosevelt’s chief of staff, Admiral Leahy, as my patient for several days.” He was the 7th of 8 children. Credited as being one of the boys who bought the black and yellow jackets prior to a basketball game; from that time on (1934/35 basketball season), PHS athletic teams were known as the “Yellow Jackets”. Since December of 1927 school colors have been black and lemon yellow. Born: 3 April, 1917. Died 25 November, 2008, buried at St. Henry’s Church Cemetery, Perham.
Phil Stoll
Navy pilot, flew PB4Y-2 (Navy designation, same aircraft as the B-24 Liberator) in WWII with bombing missions over Japan. He was a dentist with most of his career spent in Henderson, Mn. and Los Angeles, Ca. Born 15 July, 1917, died 7 June, 2005. Son of Alfred Stoll, school board member and clerk for the city of Perham. On July 3, 1945 his bomber, the “Pirate Princess”, was badly damaged on a bombing mission over Japan, he skimmed the water back to his base; in doing so he was a recipient of the Navy Distinguished Flying Cross. His aircraft was credited with sinking 3 enemy ships and damaging another on that mission. Coincidently his first son, Philip Anthony Stoll Jr. was born on the same day as his harrowing flight. When asked by Cousin Gene Stoll, “Why didn’t you fly carrier-based fighters?” he wryly responded, “Because Okinawa didn’t move”. Phil also was awarded the Navy Air Medal.
George Rasmussen
Entombed in the USS Arizona. He was on board at the time of the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor (12/7/41). He was a Fireman 3rd Class (and welder); he was scheduled to go on leave December 7th and meet his parents and wife in California. One of two Perham boys still in the Arizona, Joseph Schdowski being the other. (Note: Joseph Schdowski, Seaman 1st Class, is often listed as a North Dakota resident…that is true, he was living in Fargo when he enlisted. However, he grew up in the Perham area and attended country school). The Perham VFW is named after these two men.
Ed Webber
Born 27 March, 1918. Graduated from PHS in 1936. Lt. Col in USAF, buried at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Colorado.
Coach Art Molander
Principal and highly successful head football coach. WWI era veteran, 1st Lt., US Army. Born 2 November, 1892 and died in Wisconsin on 18 November, 1991 at the age of 99. He became the first football coach at PHS in 1924 and was the Yellow Jacket head coach through the 1940 season. He had a career record of 64-49-3 (lost the first 14 games he coached as he built the program). His best season was 8-0 in 1930 and featured future NDAC (NDSU) All-American and charter member of the Canadian Football League Hall of Fame, Fritz Hanson. The 1934 team, featured in this photo, finished the season with a 6-2 record.
EDUCATION
MBA - 2
W. Durrenberger and P. Feyerheisen
PhD - 3
J. Doll, R. Durrenberger, and P. Stoll
MILITARY RANK
General - 2
W. Durrenberger and P. Feyerheisen
Chief Pharmacist Mate - 1
B. Morganroth
Lt. Col. - 1
Ed Weber
Major - 1
R. Durrenberger
1st Lt. - 2
Coach Molander, L. Schumacher
Ensign - 1
P. Stoll
Staff Sargeant - 1
E. Lehmkuhl
Fireman 3rd Class - 1
G. Rasmussen
MILITARY DECORATIONS
Navy Air Medal - 1
P. Stoll
Distinguished Flying Cross - 2
E. Lehmkuhl and P. Stoll
Bronze Star - 1
W. Durrenberger
Purple Star - 1
G. Rasmussen
Distinguished Service Medal - 1
W. Durrenberger
Army Commendation - 1
W. Durrenberger
