Age 19. 355 Clay Street, Joliet, IL. Born in 1923, in Illinois. Died of burns (death certificate). Seaman, 1st class, U.S. Coast Guard Reserve. Attached to the District Office (Communications section), First Naval District, Boston. Not confirmed if a teen patron (likely) or a rescue worker. Companion (or companions) at the Grove unknown. His remains were identified at Chelsea Naval Hospital, Chelsea, MA, by his military "dog tag" (First Naval District inquest transcript, 11/30/1942). "Delander, a veteran of several convoy trips to Iceland, Ireland, and Russia, was stationed in Boston as a pier guard" (Chicago Daily Tribune, Chicago, IL, 11/30/1942). Had telephoned his parents in Illinois as recently as Thanksgiving Day (two days prior). Was single. Raised in Joliet, IL. An older sister Lois, age 32 (not present), was crowned Miss America in Atlantic City, NJ, in 1927. Was one of 46 teens taken in the disaster (at least 37 known others survived). Was one of six Coast Guard personnel lost (also Yeoman John Burke, age 34, Chief Commissary Steward William Clift, age 55, Electrician's Mate Jerome Estes, age 27, Lieut. Charles Fauci, Jr., age 21, and Chief Machinist's Mate Donald Lauer, age 27). Was the youngest of three Grove fire casualties from Illinois (also married victims Mr. and Mrs. John and Dorothea Noyes, both age 39; in addition former Illinois residents and victims Mr. and Mrs. Robert and Gladys Charles, ages 28 and 29, were relocated by an employer to Winchester, MA, 18 months earlier). Parents Mr. and Mrs. Albion F. and Eleanor "Nora" L. (Strömbeck) Delander, same address. Burial at Elmhurst Cemetery, Joliet, IL. Middle name Wesley.

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