Fred was a very unique individual as he was one of only a few soldiers
in his entire company that survived several events during WWII.  Fred
was involved in what has become known as the Lyme Bay Incident on
April 28, 1944.  The Allied Forces were participating in a D-Day
preparatory drill when German E-Boats torpedoed them.  749 lives were
lost that evening.  Fred was on the top deck and was only one of
nine men who survived and were picked up the next day in the English
Channel.  Fred was also a member of the 4th Infantry Division as a platoon
sergeant in charge the June 6t, 1944 invasion of Normandy, France.  Fred
and his platoon of all 39 men landed on Utah Beach under heavy fire and
were ordered to proceed to St. Mere Eglise.  They were to link up with the
Allied Airborne units.  Fred distinguished himself throughout World War II
as a platoon sergeant and among his many feats, he was part of the
liberation of Paris.  Fred received the Bronze Star, Silver Star, and 2
Purple Hearts for this valor. 

After WWII he transferred to the Air National Guard, served on the USAF
Rifle Team and served in the 146th until his retirement as a Chief Master
Sergeant in 1979.