11Sep1920 – 30Sep1944
Edison Days
Sigurd graduated with the Class of January 1938. He was involved in swimming and Hi-Y.
Military Service
Rank: 2nd Lieutenant
Branch: United States Army
Unit: 351st Infantry Battalion – 88th Infantry Division
Sigurd entered military service in 1942. After basic training he attended office school at Fort Benning, Georgia, Sigurd graduated as a 2nd Lieutenant in June 1943.
2nd Lieutenant Fagerlee was assigned to Company G of the 399th Infantry Regiment – 100th Infantry Division at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He is pictured in the 100th Division pictorial review published in early 1944.
Sigurd was one of 1,400 officers originally assigned to the 100th Infantry Division, that were transferred to other units to fill in for combat losses. He ended up with the 351st Infantry Regiment – 88th Infantry Division in Italy. The timing of Sigurd joining the 351st is unknown at this time.
The 88th Infantry Division had landed in Italy in January 1944 and had been involved in heavy combat starting in February and through their involvement in the liberation of Rome on 4Jun1944. After Rome, the Division was taken out of action and sent to the area of Tarquinia, Italy for about 4 weeks of rest, re-equipping, and training.
On 9July44, the 351st went back into battle and fought almost continuously until 26July1944. They were relieved on the 27th and moved to an area near Montognoso, Italy for rest, recreation, and training.
It is believed that Sigurd joined the 351st Infantry Regiment either during the June rest period or August rest period.
After 5 weeks, the 351st was set to join the battle again. On 9Sep1944 the 351st was moved to an area near Florence, Italy to wait in reserve as the U.S. 5th Army and allied forces attacked the German Gothic line. On 23Sep1944 they joined the fight near Imola, Italy. For the next several days Sigurd and the 351st fought against well dug in, fanatical German troops.
On 28Sep1944 the 351st launched a frontal assault on Mount Capello that would last 3 days and cost Sigurd his life. The following is from a history of the 351st.
Sigurd is buried along with 4,397 American service members at the Florence American Cemetery in Firenze, Italy.
Edison Heroes 