The Stories Behind the Stars project (of which this article series is a part) has been coordinating a project to memorialize the victims of the sinking of the HMT Rohna. From the Stories Behind The Stars website: “Casualties from HMT Rohna nearly equaled those from USS Arizona. The HMT Rohna was transporting about 2,000 U.S. Army and U.S. Army Air Corps soldiers through the Mediterranean Sea to their destination in Asia. Off the coast of Algeria on Nov. 26, 1943, they were attacked by Heinkel He 177A heavy bombers. During the attack, the first smart bomb (radio controlled) missile deployed in wartime hit the HMT Rohna near the waterline. The impact point was aligned with the hold were many of the passengers were congregating. The subsequent explosion was responsible for a majority of the 1,015 casualties. The remaining died due to their wounds or by hypothermia...”

Lafayette County soldier Herman Francis Larson was on the HMT Rohna when it was hit and lost his life in this tragic event.

Herman Francis Larson was born on May 20, 1907 in Argyle in Lafayette County to Louis (sic) B. and Petrena (Peterson) Larson. His mother was born in Norway.

From the 1910 and 1920 U.S. Census, the Larson family lived in Argyle Township in Lafayette County, The household included father Lewis, wife Petrena, and their children included Alvin, Cora, Lloyd, Grace, Clarence, Herman, and Howard. 

Father Lewis Bennett Larson died on Sept. 29, 1926.

From the 1930 U.S. Census, the Larson family remained in Argyle Township. Mother Petrina was now the head of household, including adult children Cora, Herman, and Howard. Cora was clerk at a retail grocery, Herman was a barber in a barber shop, and Howard was an operator at the telephone company. 

From the 1940 U.S. Census for Argyle village, the family was in the same house they were at in 1935. The household included mother Petrina, and children Cora, Herman and son Howard.

On Oct. 16, 1940 Herman Francis Larson registered for the WWII Draft. He was 33 and resided in Argyle. His employer was his “self.” His next of kin was his oldest brother Mr. A. P. Larson.

From the April 18, 1942 The Capital Times article titled “Lafayette County Selectees Leave,” the article stated “Seventeen Lafayette county selectees left Darlington for Madison this morning for final pre-induction physical examinations.” The list included Herman Larson of Argyle.

Larson eventually served with the 322nd Fighter Control Squadron with the U.S. Army Air Force. The squadron activated for service in the summer of 1942 to provide defense of New York. They trained in New England and then North Carolina in 1943 before going to the Mediterranean. 

From the May 20, 1944 Wisconsin State Journal, article titled “Larson, Argyle, Dies When Ship Sinks,” the article stated “The death of Corp. Herman Larson, 36, Argyle, reported missing since Nov. 28, 1943, was confirmed in a war department telegram sent to his brother, A. P. Larson, Argyle, this week. A previous message revealed he was aboard a troop ship sunk in the European war theater.

Memorial services will be held … in the Argyle Lutheran church with the Rev. A. P. Anderson officiating.

A native of Argyle, Corp. Larson attended Argyle High School and was a barber at Argyle and Freeport, Ill., before he entered the army in 1942.

Survivors include his mother, Mrs. L. B. Larson, Argyle; four brothers, Alvin and Howard, Argyle; Lloyd, Freeport, and Clarence, Rockford, Ill.; two sisters, Cora, Argyle, and Mrs. Grace Boyd, Monroe, and several nieces and nephews.”

Corporal Herman F. Larson is on the Gold Star Honor Roll List for Lafayette County. He received the Purple Heart, awarded posthumously.

Corporal Larson is memorialized on the Tablets of the Missing at the North Africa American Cemetery and Memorial at Carthage, Tunis, Tunisia. Larson also has a “cenotaph” in the Woodlawn Cemetery in Argyle.

Thank you, Corporal Herman Francis Larson, for your service to and ultimate sacrifice for this country. We honor you and remember you.