Elmer Soderquist was born on April 30, 1919 in Washington. He attended Lincoln High School and was employed by the Buchan Baking Company. He received his wings in July 1942, and was deployed overseas November 1943. He had served in Africa and India prior to going to China.

1st Lt Starcher and his crew (inlcuding Sgt Soderquist) were lost on a 'routine' flight from Lingling Airbase on the late afternoon of 28 May 1944, departing during conditions 'overcast with thunderstorms'. The crew of B-24J #42-73309 'Trouble Maker'(v1) were lost somewhere on the short flight to Kweilin; the report lists the cause of the loss as 'unknown'. The crew are all listed KNB (died non-combat mission). He is now buried in the Evergreen-Washelli Memorial Park, Seattle, King County, Washington, USA.

Sgt Soderquist was one of over 2000 Americans who lost their lives defending China from their Japanese invaders from 1941-1945. He is commemorated on the The Monument to the Aviation Martyrs in the War of Resistance Against Japan in Nanjing, China.

Source of information: www.findagrave.com