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. After the landings, the Germans withdrew to the north and east. The 45th 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 Mountains. They 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 held town of Fremifontaine, France, Fred was hit in the temporal area of his head by gun fire which killed him instantly. His date of death was reported as 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, infantry, 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 Office of the Adjutant General received additional information, from a commanding officer in North Africa, showing Fred 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
A letter confirming his death followed.
Mrs. Marie Obermayer
419 Magee Street
Marshfield, Wisconsin
Dear Mrs. Obermayer:
It is with profound regret that I confirm the recent telegram informing you of the death of your son, Private First Class Fred W. Obermayer, 36, 832, 264, Infantry, who was previously reported to be missing in action on 2 October 1944 in France.
An official message has now been received which states that he was killed in action on the date he was previously reported missing in action. Recently provisions were made whereby there will be sent directly to the emergency addressee or the next of kin a letter containing further information about each person who dies overseas in the service of our country, and if this letter has not already been received, it may be expected soon.
I realized the burden of the anxiety that has been yours since he was first reported missing in action and deeply regret the sorrow this later report brings you. May the knowledge that he made the supreme sacrifice for his home and country be a source of sustaining comfort.
My sympathy is with you in this time of great sorrow.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
J. A. Ulio
Major General
The Adjutant General
After the war, his mother in another letter from the military telling her where Fred was buried.
17 October 1946
Mrs. Marie Obermayer
419 Magee Street
Marshfield, Wisconsin
Dear Mrs. Obermayer:
The War Department is most desirous that you be furnished information regarding the burial location of your son, the late Private First Class Fred W. Obermayer, A.S.N. 36 832 264.
The records of this office disclose that his remains are interred in the U. S. Military Cemetery, St. Juan, plot E, row 9, grave 679. You may be assured that the identification and interment have been accomplished with dignity and solemnity.
This cemetery is located seventeen miles northeast of Besancon, France, and is under the constant care and supervision of the United States military personnel.
The War Department has now been authorized to comply, at Government expense, with the feasible wishes of the next of kin regarding final interment, here or abroad, of the remains of your loved one. At a later date, this office will, without any action on your part, provide the next of kin with full information and solicit his detailed desires.
Please accept my sincere sympathy in your great loss.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
T. B. LARKIN
Major General
The Quartermaster General
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.
