World War II Honoree

Russell A. Freas, Jr.

Branch of Service

U.S. Army

Hometown

Norwood, Pennsylvania

Honored By

Alexander Jacobs, Jr.

Relationship

Veteran

PENNSYLVANIA MILITARY COLLEGE CLASS OF 1941. SERVED WITH THE 1ST BATTALION, 423RD INFANTRY, 106TH INFANTRY DIVISION IN THE EUROPEAN THEATER OF OPERATIONS. CAPTURED BY THE GERMANS DURING THE BATTLE OF THE BULGE AND WAS HELD AS A PRISONER OF WAR AT STALAG 9-B IN BAD ORB, GERMANY. EXECUTED WHILE TRYING TO ESCAPE DECEMBER 23, 1944. AWARDED THE SILVER STAR, PURPLE HEART, EUROPEAN-AFRICAN-MIDDLE EASTERN CAMPAIGN MEDAL, PRISONER OF WAR MEDAL, AND WWII VICTORY MEDAL.