11Sep1919 – 26Mar1943
Edison Days
Fred graduated with the Class of June 1937.
Military Service
Rank: Corporal (Technician 5th Grade)
Branch: United States Army
Unit: Company C – 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion
To understand Fred’s path to the Army, it is important to highlight the Selective Training and Service Act of 1940. Signed into law by President Franklin D. Roosevelt on 16Sep1940. This was a landmark piece of legislation because it established the first peacetime conscription (mandatory military draft) in United States history. In 1940, World War II was raging in Europe—Nazi Germany had conquered France, and Britain was under heavy attack. Japan was expanding aggressively in Asia. The U.S. was still officially neutral and had a strong tradition of isolationism after World War I, with a relatively small volunteer military. Roosevelt and supporters in Congress believed the country needed to prepare for potential involvement in the war by rapidly building up its armed forces. The act was a defensive preparedness measure, passed amid growing global tensions but before the U.S. entered the war. It passed Congress narrowly, reflecting isolationist opposition from figures who feared it would drag America into foreign conflicts.
Key Provisions of the 1940 Draft included: All American men who had reached their 21st birthday but not yet their 36th birthday had to register. The first national registration occurred on October 16, 1940, with about 16 million men signing up at local post offices and other sites. A national lottery determined the order of call-up. On 16Oct1940, a famous public drawing took place in Washington, D.C. A blindfolded Secretary of War Henry L. Stimson drew the first capsule from a fishbowl, and President Roosevelt announced the numbers over radio. The first number drawn was 158.
Fred’s draft number was 158!
Originally, men line Fred were supposed to serve 12 months of active duty (military training and service), followed by 10 years in a reserve component (until age 45 or discharge). The law initially limited the number of draftees to 900,000 at a time. The United States entry into the war changed that.
Fred was inducted into the Army in February 1941. It is unknown where he attended basic training. It is likely that he was assigned to the 899th Tank Destroyer Battalion right after basic training. The following excerpts are from a unit history of the battalion.
After leaving Fort Lewis, Washington, the battalion went to Camp Hood, Texas until overseas deployment. The battalion departed the for North Africa on 14Jan1943. 12 days later they landed at Casablanca, North Africa.
Just over a month later, Fred and the 899th were poised to enter the fight.
At some point that day, Fred stepped on a land mine and suffered a traumatic amputation of one of his legs. It was his first day in combat.
He succumbed to the injury 3 days later.
Fred was initially buried at the Tebessa cemetery in Algeria.
In May 1948 his body was returned to Minnesota for reburial.
Fred’s funeral was held 26Jun1948.
Fred is buried at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis, Minnesota.
Edison Heroes 