Background
Edward Robert Sellstrom was born in Ottawa, Ontario.
Edward Robert Sellstrom was born in Ottawa, Ontario.
He graduated from Gustavus Adolphus College, Saint Peter, Minnesota in 1939.
He enlisted in the United States. Naval Reserve as Seaman second class at Minneapolis, Minnesota, on 14 January 1941 and was appointed Aviation Cadet at Pensacola, Florida, on 20 March 1941. On 15 September 1941, he was commissioned Ensign, United States Naval Reserve. After duty in the Advanced Carrier Training Group, United States. Pacific Fleet, he was assigned to Fighter Squadron 3, on board carrier United States Ship Lexington (CV-2). Later that day, he intercepted and shot down another aircraft during an attack directed at his carrier by nine enemy bombers.
Ensign Sellstrom was killed in an airplane crash on 21 June 1942.
United States Ship Sellstrom (Delaware-255) was named in his honor. The ship was laid down on 16 March 1943 by the Brown Shipbuilding Company, Houston, Texas.
Launched on 12 May 1943. Sponsored by Mission Genevieve Dahl, fiancé of Ensign Sellstrom.
And commissioned on 12 October 1943, Lieutenant
Commander William L. Maloney, United States Coast Guard, in command.