Art Ziemer Youngest of Five Brothers Who Served 

By Natalee Webb

Of the 16 million Americans who served during WWII, there are currently just over 45 thousand still living but their numbers are rapidly declining. Most WWII Veterans are in their 90s and even 100+ years old. Included in these numbers is Art Ziemer a Navy WWII Veteran who will celebrate his 100th birthday in 2027. The youngest of his family, Art Ziemer is Franklin’s last surviving WWII Veteran.

This December 7th marks the 84th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor where 19 ships were sunk, 300 aircraft destroyed, and 2,400 fatalities. Almost half of these fatalities were aboard the USS Arizona. This battleship had only been in combat for minutes before being sunk by the Japanese.  The USS Arizona Museum now sits atop the sunken ship at Pearl Harbor in Honolulu Hawaii. Lieutenant Commander Louis A. Canter from Ojibwa, Wisconsin was aboard the battleship when it was struck, mercifully he survived. He passed away at the age of 102 in 2024 as America’s last survivor of the USS Arizona. 

All five of the Ziemer boys joined the Navy so together they could serve their country during WWII, leaving their two sisters, Mom, and Dad at home. Oldest brother Jack served from 1942-45, Ernest, the second son joined in 1937 retiring after 20 years in the Navy. Third brother Howard enlisted in 1941 and served in the Navy for 27 years. 

 Bill the 4th son joined the Navy in 1942 as a Fighter Pilot aboard the USS Intrepid Aircraft Carrier. His ship is now permanently docked at Pier 86 in New York City. Flying his F6F Fighter Plane, LTJG (Lieutenant Junior Grade) William Ziemer was shot down over Formosa Island off the coast of China where he was captured by the enemy becoming a POW (Prisoner of War). He was held hostage at the infamous Ofuna Camp, where he and fellow prisoners were subject to starvation, exposure to the elements, beatings, tropical illnesses and more. This secret enemy camp was not discovered until after the war. At this camp, the Japanese did not consider their captured soldiers as prisoners or treat them according to the Geneva Convention instituted in 1864. They viewed these soldiers as enemies to be tortured for various insidious reasons. Bill gave the ultimate sacrifice for freedom dying from this brutality to the horror of his family. Art mournfully recalled, “That was not supposed to happen.” 

In 1945, Art, the fifth son of the Ziemer family of seven, joined his brothers in the Navy while still in High School. President Truman allowed these teens to join while Juniors in High School, offering them a diploma upon their honorable discharge from service. Art was scheduled to be released from duty in 1950 when the Korean War broke out. American troops were depleted, yet desperately needed for this new battle. To solve this dilemma President Truman revoked all discharges for an additional year of service. Art was then honorably discharged in 1951.

The Sullivan family from Iowa also had five boys who enlisted in the Navy during WWII, along with their sister who joined the WAVES. The boys, ranging in ages from 22-32, enlisted together with the stipulation that they all serve together and were subsequently assigned to the CL-52 (Class Light Cruiser), the USS Juneau. Horribly they all perished together when a Japanese submarine sank their ship. This mother’s worst nightmare led to the creation of the military’s Sole Survivor policy. Established in 1948, the Military Selective Service Act exempts the last son/daughter from having to serve during war or peacetime. All five of the Ziemer brothers were able to serve together in the Navy, as they were not assigned to the same military installation. 

American Flags will fly at half-staff this Sunday, December 7th with a moment of silence being observed at 7:55 a.m., the moment the first wave of 183 Japanese bombers attacked Pearl Harbor igniting America’s journey into WWII. All Americans should respect Pearl Harbor Day and be blessed that they are free because of the actions of WWII and should honor all the brave soldiers of the United States of America.