Pfc. Fred William Obermayer was born on May 20, 1923, in Cook County, Illinois, to George Obermayer and Marie Raab-Obermayer. His family resided in Berwyn, Illinois. Fred’s father died on April 22, 1932, and his mother and Fred moved to 444 Des Plaines Avenue, Forest Park, Illinois. He graduated from Saint Bernardine School and than attended Proviso Township High School for three years. On May 20, 1943, he registered with Selective Service and named his mother as his contact person. His mother moved to Wisconsin so he left school to join her in Marshfield, Wisconsin.
Fred was drafted into the Army on August 27, 1943, while living in Marshfield and was issued the serial number 36 832 264. It is not known where he did his basic training, but at some point he was sent to Fort Blending, Florida. It is not known when, but he was sent to Europe where he became a member of Company L, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division, Company L, 7th Army, where he was assigned to a heavy mobile artillery unit. The unit fought in Italy and took part in the Anzio Landings. It as pulled from action to train for the invasion of Southern France given the code name, “Operation Dragoon.”
Fred took part in the landings in Southern France, and landed at St. Maxime, in Southern France. After the landings, the Germans withdrew to the north and east. They advanced north and at Dijon, made contact with General George Patton’s army. It is known the unit fought its way toward Germany in eastern France. On September 24th the 45th captured Epinal, France. They next crossed the Moselle River on the 30th and reached the western foothills of the Vosges Moutains. The captured the French town of Rambervillers near the German border and remained in the area. While the 45th Division was attempting to take the German town of Fremifontaine, France that he was hit in the side of his head by gun fire killing him on October 2, 1944. After he had died, he was identified by the ID bracelet he was wearing with his name, rank, and serial number, and his government issued ID tags. Five days later, on the 7th, he was buried at the United States Military Cemetery, St. Juan, France, in Plot E, Row 9, Grave 679.
His mother received a telegram from the War Department.
MRS MARIE OBERMAYER
419 MAGEE STREET
MARSHFIELD WISCONSIN
THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET THAT YOUR SON PRIVATE FIRST CLASS FRED W. OBERMAYERJR HAS BEEN REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION SINCE TWO OCTOBER IN EUROPEAN AREA PERIOD IF FURTHER DETAILS OR OTHER INFORMATION ARE RECEIVED YOU WILL BE PROMPTLY NOTIED PERIOD
ULIO
THE ADJUTANT GENERAL
A letter followed the telegram.
Mrs. Marie Obermayer
419 Magee Street
Marshfield, Wisconsin
Dear Mrs. Obermayer:
This letter is to confirm my recent telegram in which you were regretfully informed that your son, Private First Class Fred W. Obermayer, 36 832 264, Air Corps, has been reported missing in action since 2 October 1944 in France.
I know that added distress is caused by failure to receive some information or details. Therefore, I wish to assure you that at any time additional information is received it will be transmitted to you without delay, and, if in the meantime no additional information is received, I will again communicate with you at the expiration of three months. Also, it is the policy of the Commanding General of the Army Air Forces upon receipt of the “Missing Air Crews Report” to convey to you any details that might be contained in that report.
The term “missing in action” is used only to indicate that the whereabouts or status of an individual is not immediately known. It is not intended to convey the impression that the case in closed. I wish to emphasize that every effort is exerted continuously to clear up the status of our personnel. Under war conditions this is a difficult task as you must readily realize. Experience has shown that many persons reported missing in action are subsequently reported prisoners of war, but as this information is furnished by countries with which we are at war, the War Department is helpless to expedite such reports. However, in order to relieve financial worry, Congress has enacted legislation which contains in force pay, allowances and allotments to dependents of the personnel being carried in a missing status.
Permit me to extend to you my heartfelt sympathy during this period of uncertainty.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
J. A. ULIO
Major General
The Adjutant General.
His status as missing in action was terminated on November 1, 1944, when the Quartermaster Corps received additional information showing he was dead.
MRS MARIE OBERMAYER
419 MAGEE STREET
MARSHFIELD WISCONSIN
THE SECRETARY OF WAR ASKS THAT I ASSURE YOU OF HIS DEEP SYMPATHY IN THE LOSS OF YOUR SON. PRIVATE FIRST CLASS FRED W OBERMAYER WHO WAS PREVIOUSLY REPORTED MISSING IN ACTION REPORT NOW RECEIVED STATES HE WAS KILLED IN ACTION TWO OCTOBER IN EUROPEAN AREA CONFIRMING LETTER FOLLOWS=
J A ULIO TTHE ADJUTANT GENERAL
After the war, his mother in a letter dated October 17, 1946, received a letter telling her the location of Fred’s grave in the USMC St. Juan. It also informed her that she would be receiving another letter providing her with information on where Fred could be buried. After receiving the letter she informed the Office of the Quartermaster General that she had moved to Los Angeles, California. She received another letter, addressed to her in Los Angeles, that was dated June 18, 1947, providing her on her options for Fred’s final burial. She was asked to return an enclosed form to the OQMG, Washington DC, indicating her wishes for his final burial. The form was returned to the OQMG on July 21, 1947, indicating she wanted Fred buried in Los Angeles.
Fred’s remains were exhumed from the USMC St. Juan and sent by train to the American Graves Registration in Antwerp, Belgium. His remains arrived on March 30, 1948, and were casketed. On April 19th, his casket was placed on the USAT Lawrence Victory which sailed for the United States the same day. It arrived in the New York Port of Entry on May 7th. By train his casket, with a military escort was sent west to the Quartermaster Corps Distribution Center #13, Oakland, California. On Train #15, Southern Pacific Railroad, his casket arrived in Los Angeles on June 24th, at about 9;10 am. From the station his casket was taken to the C. A. McGlynn Mortuary. Pfc. Fred W. Obermayer was buried in Holy Cross Cemetery, Los Angeles, California.
