02/07/2026
A highlight on some of the Sondeno family of Turlock:
Written by Eric J. Narveson, an interview with Rex Sondeno, the grandson and nephew of those who served in WWII.
Rex grew up listening to stories from his family members of their time during the war, and with his love of history, especially of the military, he always felt that his family's story should be written down.
In December of 1941, Turlock got the news that men would be called to war. In 1940 the Turlock population was 4,839 and 6,288 in the greater Turlock area. 25 graduates of Turlock High school lost their lives in WWII. There is a memorial wall in the Turlock School District building dedicated to these men and one woman.
Gunnar: DOB 12-7-1915 (oldest of the family). He was 26 when the war broke out. He was a student of California Polytechnical College in San Luis Obisbo working towards a degree in agriculture. He was inducted into the Navy in September of 1942. He trained as a naval aviator. Eventually he taught flying to others. After 3 months as an instructor, he was promoted to Lietenant in March of 1944. He spent many hours as a trainer for many types of planes and logged a lot of flight time. He was honorably discharged 11-16-1945. He spent two years and 11 months in active duty, receiving the WWII Victory Medal as well as the American Campaign Medal. In 1950 he rejoined the Navy as a reserve officer. In 1953 he was promoted to Lieutenant Commander. He then retired in 1966 and passed away in June of 1976 in Hollister, CA.
Milton: DOB 10-4-1917. He attended the same college as Gunnar. In 1939 he got a job with the Pacific Gas and Electric Co conducting maintenance and operating a power and light switchboard and machinery. He was 24 when the war broke out. Knowing he eventually would be drafted, his father in law suggested the Navy. He went into a recruiting office, and they wanted him right away. They promised a higher rank as an electrician's mate if he signed up immediately. April 1, 1942 he volunteered for the United States Navy. He became an instructor of electrical devices. He then reported for duty on a cargo ship. He had many duties while at sea. Initially he was the Assistant Engineer Officer. He was also assigned to coding and mail censor. In July of 1944, he became a Chief Engineer as well as the Gyrocompass Officer. In February of 1945 he was promoted to Lieutenant. In July of this year, he was detached from duty and was ordered to proceed back to the US to await further duty. The Japanese surrender took place while he was on this leave. After a month of leave, he reported to the Naval Hospital, Treasure Island as a patient. While out at sea he suffered from pain in his cervical spine. He was eventually diagnosed with chronic arthritis, saw a chiropractor in 1946 and then Milton was honorably discharged from the Navy on March 25, 1946. He received the WWII Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal and the Asiatic-Pacific Theater of Operations Medal with three combat stars. In January 1949 Milton joined the Naval Fleet Reserve reactivating his rank of Lieutenant. He remained in the Reserve until May 27, 1955, when he was honorably discharged. He was one of the design engineers that helped create the automated Air Traffic Control System which became operational in 1972.
We thank the Sondeno family members for their great service to our country and the strong bonds they have to Turlock!
