World War II Honoree
World War II Veteran
Fred W. Naegele
Branch of Service
U.S. Army
Hometown
Helena, Montana
Honored By
Wm Stegall, honoring the Montana chapter of the 41st Infantry Division Assoc.
JOINED THE 41ST INFANTRY DIVISION (SUNSET DIVISION) REGIMENTAL HEADQUARTERS COMPANY AT FORT LEWIS, WASHINGTON IN 1938. AFTER THE JAPANESE BOMBING AT PEARL HARBOR, COMBAT LOADED FOR OVERSEAS ON THE HMS QUEEN ELIZABETH AND DEPARTED FOR SIDNEY, AUSTRALIA MARCH 1942. TRANSPORTED TO SEYMOUR, AUSTRALIA DURING DECEMBER 1942 FOR JUNGLE COMBAT TRAINING. EARLY 1943, FLOWN BY C-47 AIRCRAFT TO PORT MORESBY, NEW GUINEA. FLEW OVER THE OWEN STANLEY MOUNTAINS AND WENT INTO COMBAT WITH THE 163RD INFANTRY REGIMENT ON THE SANANANDA TRAIL IN PAPUA NEW GUINEA. BEGAN THE WESTERN NEW GUINEA INVASION OF AITAPE APRIL 22, 1944. MAY 17, 1944 HIS 163RD REGIMENT CLEARED WAKDE ISLAND OFF THE COAST OF NEW GUINEA FROM THE TOEM-SARMI JAPANESE HELD DEFENSES. HIS ARTILLERY BATTALION WAS CALLED IN EARLY JUNE TO SUPPORT INFANTRY REGIMENTS OF THE 41ST DIVISION'S ASSAULT ON BIAK ISLAND FROM MAY 27, 1944. BIAK WAS AN ALL CORAL OUTCROPPING IN THE SCHOUTEN ISLANDS GROUP, NEW GUINEA AND AIRSTRIPS WERE NEEDED FOR THE 5TH ARMY AIR FORCE'S LOCATION OF THEIR HEAVY B-24 BOMBERS. APRIL 1945 FOUGHT WITH THE 41ST DIVISION'S 146TH FIELD ARTILLERY INTO MINDANAO'S ZAMBOANGA PENINSULA. MAY 1945 HIS 163RD REGIMENT DROVE JAPANESE FORCES OUT OF JOLO ISLAND IN 3 WEEKS (SOUTHERN MOST ISLAND FROM MINDANAO IN THE SULU ARCHIPELAGO). ATTACHED TO 2ND BATTALION, 146TH FIELD ARTILLERY, 24TH INFANTRY DIVISION UNTIL DEPARTING JULY 5, 1945 FROM DAVAO ON MINDANAO AND RETURNED TO FORT LEWIS, WASHINGTON. HONORABLY DISCHARGED AUGUST 5, 1945. AWARDS: THE BRONZE STAR MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL, AMERICAN DEFENSE SERVICE MEDAL WITH PACIFIC ATTACHMENT, ASIATIC-PACIFIC CAMPAIGN MEDAL WITH 2 BRONZE ARROWHEADS AND 6 CAMPAIGN STARS (1 SILVER STAR PLUS 1 BRONZE STAR ATTACHMENT), AMERICAN THEATER CAMPAIGN, WWII VICTORY MEDAL AND 6 GOLD OVERSEAS SERVICE BARS. CITATIONS: MERITORIOUS UNIT CITATION, PHILIPPINE LIBERATION RIBBON AND PHILIPPINE PRESIDENTIAL UNIT CITATION. SERVICE NUMBER: 20 928340.