Profiles Fall 2013 Spring 2014 HFDFW

 

Fred was drafted into the U.S.Army at the age of 18. He reported for duty during the month of January, 1944.

After basic training Fred was sent overseas with the 69^th Infantry Division known as the “Fighting 69^th.” The 69^th was activated on May 15, 1943 and was first sent overseas to the European Theater in December, 1944.

The 69^th was involved in 86 days of combat and saw action in the Rhineland and Central Europe. Fred says that the 69^th was the first American division to meet the advancing Russian army at the Elbe River. He also was there when the 69^th captured the city of Leipzig from the German army.

Fred was discharged from the U.S. Army in May, 1946 with the rank of Technical Sergeant 5 (T-5) and had been awarded the Bronze Star.