Russell J. Fredlund
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Russell J. Fredlund entered the Army on July 12, 1942, at Fort Snelling, Minn. Home at entry: Cook, Minn.
He served as a Private First Class, infantryman, and messenger with the 3rd Army in Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. Wounded in action by shell fragments in his back in Eastern France and again by shell fragment in his thigh in Maizieres Les Metz, France.
Mr. Fredlund was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart with one bronze oak leaf cluster, Good Conduct Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze battle stars, and Combat Infantryman Badge.
He was honorably discharged on October 24, 1945, at Fort Sill, Okla.
"Russell started out in Northern France in the Rhineland Central Europe Campaign. He fought under General Patton. When the movie about General Patton came out, he was to see it. Russell wouldn't go - He remarked, 'I can remember it all if want'. He died on March 2, 1990. He suffered every day of his life from his many shrapnel wounds in back and legs but didn't complain. He was happy to be alive. Like other World War II veterans, he didn't talk much about his war experiences with family-only with other veterans."
Source: Hometown Heroes: The Saint Louis County World War II Project, page 355.
