Name: Walter Herman SELBACH
Rank / Rating: WT3-Water Tender Third Class
Service #: 951 71 59
DOB: 1922
From: Lansing, MI
Parents: Herman Selbach and Katherine Konen
Went Aboard: Apr 27, 1944
Age When Ship Went Down: 23
Spouse:
Children:
Grandchildren:
Bio Submitted By: Ann Rochon Lodder
Date Posted:

Walter Herman Selbach was born August 25, 1921 to Herman Selbach and Katherine Konen in the central Michigan town of Ionia, home to the Ionia Free Fair. He had an older brother, Laurence Jacob, born in 1916 and an older sister, Josephine Katherine, who was born in 1918. Walter’s dad repaired railroad cars for the Pere Marquette Railroad in the Ionia railyard but died in 1927. His brother, Laurence Jacob, also served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Henderson during WWII. When Walter was lost on the USS Indianapolis, he was survived by his mother, siblings, uncle, and cousins.

Although your generation of the family is gone, you have not been forgotten by those who came after you. Ann, 1st cousin 2x removed MICHIGAN MEMORIAL PLAQUE See photographs (posted below) to view a copy of a memorial plaque that was dedicated circa 1946 to honor seventy-two (72) State of Michigan men who served on USS Indianapolis CA-35 and who were Lost At Sea. Walter Herman Selbach's name is listed on the plaque! Per the caption on one of the photos, the plaque was originally planned in 1946 for display at a proposed Detroit Civic Center. The plaque was initially displayed at the Detroit Naval Post VFW #233. However, the plaque had vanished for decades, fueling rumors of theft, being melted for scrap, or hidden away in a private basement. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Jeff Ortiz (nephew of LAS Y3 Orlando Ortiz) and Joni Deaver (cousin of LAS sailor S2c Charles Roof Jr.), this priceless piece of history has been re-discovered in the Detroit Historical Society storage basement in Michigan. One of the photos shows Jeff Ortiz and Ralph McNabb (nephew of LAS F2 Thomas McNabb, Jr) standing behind the very dusty plaque as it was found.