World War II Honoree

Fred Lewis Pagnotta

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Pueblo, Colorado

Honored By

Marlaina, Jason & Kayla Brown

Relationship

Daughter, Son-in-law & Granddaughter

DRAFTED INTO THE 35TH INFANTRY DIVISION AT THE AGE OF 18. AFTER BOOT CAMP, HE WAS PROMOTED TO THE RANK OF SERGEANT, BUT ASSUMED THE DUTIES OF FIRST SERGEANT. TRANSPORTED TO THE EUROPEAN THEATER, WHERE HE AND THE 35TH INFANTRY FOUGHT IN THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE. RODE TANKS DURING THIS AND OTHER BATTLES. AFTER THEIR VICTORY, HIS 35TH INFANTRY JOINED GENERAL PATTON'S 9TH ARMY SECTOR. AT THE ELBE RIVER, THE 9TH SECTOR STOPPED AND WAITED FOR THE RUSSIANS TO TAKE BERLIN. ONCE VICTORY WAS COMPLETE, HE AND HIS SECTOR WENT TO CAMP LUCKY STRIKE WHERE HE CONTRACTED SPINAL MENINGITIS. RECOVERED, AND WAS SHIPPED HOME WITH HIS UNIT AFTER THE ALLIES' VICTORY IN EUROPE.