Born: 3 Mar 1931 Died: 15 Jun 2013 Service: Air Police U.S.Air Force Korea, served 1950 - Nov 1954 Burial:Cremated
Farnsworth, Larry G.
Born: 22 Jul 1933 Died: 3 Nov 2005 Service: BT 3 U.S. Navy Korea Burial:Greenwood Cemetery Plot: 3 011 008
Fassel, Albert Anton
Born: 13 Aug 1886 Died: 23 May 1960 Service: PFC U.S. Army France WW I Co. I 141 Inf.. 36 Div.; served 3 Jul 1917 - 4 Jul 1919 Burial:Los Angeles National Cemetery
Fasselman, Hugo
Born: 12 Oct 1914 Died: 18 Nov 1987 Service: PFC U.S. Army WW II; served 4 Sep 1942 - 19 Mar 1946 Burial:Der Stadt Friedhof Plot: C, 02, 07
Fatool, Ernest Joseph
Born: 2 Apr 1913 Died: 25 Oct 2006 Service: U.S. Army WW II; served 5 Dec 1942 - 20 Feb 1946 Burial:St. Mary's Memorial Garden Cemetery Plot: J 09 080 B
Faubion, Bernard Ward
Born: 14 May 1909 Died: 31 Mar 1992 Service: U.S. Navy WW II Burial:Fowler Cemetery
Home On Leave
Chief Specialist Ben Faubion of the U.S. Navy arrived this week for a furlough visit with his family. Faubion is stationed in St. Louis and must return to duty on April 30.
Born: 11 Apr 1921 Died: 16 Oct 2012 Service: U.S. Air Force WW II; served 17 Jul 1942 - 2 Feb 1946 Burial:China Creek Cemetery
Faull, Wilbert Otto
Born: 25 Aug 1914 Died: 23 Jan 1987 Service: PFC U.S. Army WW II Burial:St. Francis Cemetery
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, File # 2011020306
In 1942, Faught joined the army where he served as an aerial gunner on the B-24 Liberator bomber during World War II.
Faught was inducted into the Air Force on July 17, 1942 at Ft. Sam Houston. From there he went to Clearwater, Florida for basic training. After basic sent to 916 Guard & MP Sqdn., Boca Raton Field Florida. Then to Miami Beach Florida for 8 weeks of MP School.
Then Faught went back to Boca Raton where he worked at entry gate checking passes and Saluting officers. After 2 years of this becoming very bored with my job, I signed up for Paratroopers and aerial Gunnery. After one week on my way to Tyndal field Florida to Aerial Gunnery School to train as a Ball Turret Gunner (Belly Gunner) on B-24 aircraft. Eight Weeks of training, graduated and received gunner's wings. Sent to Westover Field Mass. for advanced gunnery and put on a combat crew to train for another 8 weeks receiving 300 hours of flying time.While training at the rank of Cpl., upon completion was to receive the rank of Staff Sergeant. One week before completing advanced gunnery, the war ended in Europe on May 8,1945, therefore receiving no combat missions. Was then sent to Epharata, Wa. also stationed in Tacoma, Wa. and McClellan Field, Ca. before being discharge on Feb. 2,1946 serving 3 1/2 years.
Born: 10 Aug 1906 Died: 11 Dec 1975 Service: U.S. Army WW II, enlisted 9 Oct 1945, U.S. Air Force Burial:Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Plot: Section W Site 227
Commander Favaro was commissioned from the United States Naval Academy in 1965 and served as an A-6 pilot, including three Vietnam war tours. He retired after 24 years of service in 1985.
Born: 5 Jul 1938 Died: 8 Nov 2013 Service: 2nd Class Petty Officer U.S. Navy Burial:Greenwood Cemetery Plot: 4 007 017
Texas Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers 1861-1865
Name: Franz Feistel
Military Service: 1862
Event Type: military service
Event Year: 1862
age: 37
Military Unit: 8th Taylor's Battalion Cavalry / Taylor's Mounted Rifles
Affiliate: Complied Service
Publication Title: Records of Confederate Solders Who Served in Organization From The State Of Texas
Texas Civil War Service Records of Confederate Soldiers 1861-1865
Name: Franz Feistel
Military Service: 1862
Event Type: military service
Event Year: 1863
age: 44
Military Unit: First Yager's Cavalry / First Mounted Rifles
Affiliate: Complied Service
Publication Title: Records of Confederate Solders Who Served in Organization From The State Of Texas
United State, Civil War Soldiers Index 1861-1865 Texas
Name: Franz Feistel
Event Type: Military Service
Military: Private
Rank beginning / Rank ending: Private
Military Side: Confederate
State: Texas
Unit: 8th Taylor's Battalion
Company: C
United State, Civil War Soldiers Index 1861-1865 Texas
Name: Franz Feistel
Event Type: Military Service
Military: Private
Rank beginning / Rank ending: Private
Military Side: Confederate
State: Texas
Unit: 1st Regiment Texas Cavalry, Yager's
Company: E
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 1 p. 194
Fell served in the U.S. Navy on the USS Wilhoite and USS Forster as 2nd Class Petty Officer in communications.
Feller, Albert
Born: 12 Nov 1896 Died: 29 Jan 1981 Service: U.S. Army WW I, discharge18 Apr 1919 Burial:Greenwood Cemetery Plot: 1 007 083
Feller, Alvin Christian
Born: 12 Apr 1914 Died: 13 Aug 2011 Service: PFC U.S. Army WW II, served 11 Dec 1941 - 23 Dec 1945 Burial:Rosehill Cemetery
Feller, Herbert
Born: 13 Jul 1929 Died: 26 Oct 2019 Service: Pvt. U.S. Army, served 12 Jan ? - 23 Dec 1954 Burial:Harper Community Cemetery
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 1 p. 316
Pfc. Alvin C. Feller who is stationed at San Diego California in the US Army, Alvin was inducted in the service last year, 1941.
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 2, p. 270
He was inducted into the service on Jan. 12, and has completed training at Ft. Bliss, Texas. Mrs. Feller will make her home with his parents at Harper while he is overseas. He left June 3, [1953] to report to Camp Kilman, New Jersey.
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 3, p. 315
Feller, Raymond Edmund Hugo "Hugo", Sr.
Born: 28 Dec 1899 Died: 13 Jun 1982 Service: Pvt. U.S. Army WW I WW II, enlisted 18 Jul 1942 Burial:Harper Community Cemetery Plot: 03, 03, 167
Feller, Stephen Karl "Steve"
Born: 18 May 1944 Died: 7 May 2019 Service: U.S. Air Force, discharge 31 Aug 1978; served 10 years Burial:Cremated
Feller, Walter Raymond
Born: 3 Oct 1921 Died: 2 Sep 2010 Service: Military policeman U.S. Army WW II; served 28 Jul 1942 - 2 Feb 1946 Burial:Fort McPherson National Cemetery
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 4, p. 75
Pvt. Walter R. Feller, son of Mr. and Mrs. Alfred Feller, who is stationed at the Army Air Base in Blythe, California is proud to be a Gillespian serving his Uncle Sam.
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 2, p. 368
Feller, Wilhelm
Born: 5 Feb 1826 Died: 9 Mar 1864 Service: Pvt.-Minute Co. , Gillespie County TST 1861. Capt.-Company Prec. No. 4, Gillespie County, 31st Brigade, TST 1862 Burial:Der Stadt Friedhof Plot: B, 24, 01
Felps, Arthur Ivan
Born: 4 Oct 1907 Died: 12 Feb 1968 Service: PFC U.S. Army WW II, dischargee 9 Oct 1945; Wounded MIA Purple Heart Burial:Miller Creek Cemetery Plot: 260
Felps, Emil Buford
Born: 11 Oct 1911 Died: 29 Mar 1995 Service: PFC. U.S. Army WW II; served 26 May 1942 - 4 Jan 1946; wounded Purple Heart Burial:Oak Hill Cemetery (Smithville TX)
On musterroll of Minute Company dated 25 Feb 1861; value of horse is $75.
On musterroll of Minute Company ending 25 Aug 1861; paid $18.00 for 12 days.
On musterroll of Minute Company ending 25 Nov 1861; paid $15.00 for 10 days.Feller was hung by the Haengerbande (hanging band).
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 2 p. 116
Wounded in Action
Pfc. Emil B. Felps, 32, son of Mr. and Mrs. Nace Felps, who was wounded in action in Italy on September 11. A letter received by his parents this morning from their son, stated that he was injured in a mine explosion and spent a few days in the hospital, but was now able to go back to his company. He received the Purple Heart award for his injuries. Felps has been overseas twenty two months.
Emil served with the 39th Combat Engineers during World War II. They first landed in Algeria, North Africa. There they trained for battle. They were in the beachhead landing of Sicily, Naples, and Anzio. Then were in battles at Rome, Northern Apennines and the Po Valley at the end of the war.
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 2 p. 279
Felps, Novella, Miss
Born: 6 Nov 1904 Died: 24 Dec 1981 Service: U.S. Army WW II; served 5 Jan 1943 - 7 Jul 1943 Burial:Greenwood Cemetery Plot: 1 005 107
Ferguson, Cecil Talmage
Born: 17 Jan 1924 Died: 1 Jan 2010 Service: Sergeant U.S. Air Force, WW II Italy Burial:Der Stadt Friedhof Plot: N, 07, 23
Fetzer, Billy Edwin
Born: 16 Mar 1926 Died: 23 Aug 2000 Service: U.S. Navy WW II, U.S. Army, TSgt U.S. Air Force Korea Burial:Der Stadt Friedhof Plot: J, 20, 05
Feuge, Alfred Albert
Born: 1 Jul 1921 Died: 27 Dec 1977 Service: TEC 3 U.S. Army WW II, enlisted 6 Aug 1942 Burial:Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Plot: Section 3 Site 292
Feuge, Arthur C., Jr.
Born: 4 Feb 1927 Died: 25 Apr 1996 Service: Pvt. U.S. Army WW II, enlisted 25 Apr 1945 Burial:Johnson City Masonic Cemetery
Feuge, Chester Albert
Born: 17 Oct 1912 Died: 6 Oct 1984 Service: Prt. U.S. Army Air Corps WW II; served 4 Nov 1942 - 7 Dec 1945 Burial:Lakeside Memorial Park (Hunt Co.)
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 2 p. 236
Feuge, Christoph Theodore
Born: 2 Jun 1837 Died: 18 Oct 1923 Service: Pvt.-Minute Co. , Gillespie County TST 1861; Pvt. Co. A., Gillespie cty, 3rd Frontier District TST 1864 Burial:Der Stadt Friedhof Plot: A, 09, 01
Feuge, Deanna L. "Dee" (Conley)
Born: 31 Aug 1955 Died: 22 Nov 2008 Service: U.S. Navy PT Burial:Der Stadt Friedhof Plot: J, 25, 20
Feuge, Edwin Gottlieb "Eddie"
Born: 23 Dec 1916 Died: 19 Apr 1990 Service: Corporal U.S. Army WW II, served 24 Feb 1941 - 13 Aug 1945 Burial:Not stated / Unknown
Private Minute Company for Gillespie County TST
On musterroll of Minute Company dated 25 Feb 1861; value of horse is $60.
On musterroll of Minute Company ending 25 May 1861; paid $40.50 for 27 days.
On musterroll of Minute Company ending 25 Aug 1861; paid $18.00 for 12 days.
On musterroll of Minute Company ending 25 Nov 1861; paid $15.00 for 10 days.
On musterroll of Minute Company ending 25 Feb 1862; paid $15.00 for 10 days.
Name & Rank: Feuge, Chr., pvt. Com. off: Wahrmund, William, Capt. Organ: Co. A., Gillespie cty, 3rd Frontier dist.; Gen. J.D. McAdoo, cmdg., TST. Enlist: 1864; Mustered in Jan. 27, 1864. Enrd. & mustd. in Gillespie cty. Disch: 30 days ser. at $2. Total $60.00. Descrip: Age--26 years. Remarks: R&F 67;69. Enrolled by Enr. off.; Mustered in by Enr. off.; Arms--1 rifle. Co. organized under Act of State Legis. Dec. 15, 1863. 1 MR dtd. May, 1864; 1 PR dtd. Jan 27 to June 1 1864. Source: Ancestry.com. Texas, Muster Roll Index Cards, 1838-1900 [database on-line]. Provo, UT, USA: Ancestry.com Operations, Inc., 2011.
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 2, p. 57
Feuge, Emil Carl
Born: 14 Mar 1897 Died: 17 Oct 1943 Service: Pvt. Co. 32 8th Bn. 165 Depot Brig U.S. Army WW I, served 6 Sep 1918 - 31 Dec 1918 Burial:Der Stadt Friedhof Plot: G, 06, 19
Feuge, Erwin Daniel
Born: 8 Dec 1903 Died: 15 Feb 1972 Service: Pvt U.S. Army Air Forces WW II, served 17 Sep 1942 - 11 Sep 1943 Burial:Der Stadt Friedhof Plot: E, 23, 25
Feuge, Eugene Louis
Born: 4 Apr 1919 Died: 9 Dec 1983 Service: Pvt. U.S. Army WW II, served 19 Nov 1943 tp 22 May 1945 Burial:Guadalupe Valley Memorial Park
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 1. p. 232
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 1 p. 364
Feuge, Heinrich "Henry", Sr., Dr.
Born: 27 Mar 1843 Died: 13 Jul 1927 Service: CSA Co. E. 1st Texas Cavalry, served 1 May 1862 - 3 Oct 1865 Burial:Der Stadt Friedhof Plot: E, 03, 16
Feuge, Hilmar Harold Louis
Born: 30 Sep 1921 Died: 7 Jun 1991 Service: S1 U.S. Navy WW II, discharge 20 Feb 1946 Burial:Der Stadt Friedhof Plot: I, 14, 05
United State War Soldiers Index 1861-1865 Texas
Name: Heinrich Feuge aka Henry
Event Type: Military Service
Military Private
Rank Beginning / Rank Ending: Private
Military Side: confederate
State: Texas
Unit: 1st Regiment Texas Cavalry, Yager's
Company: E
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 1 p. 194
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 3 p. 12
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 4, p. 32
Feuge, John Albert N.
Born: 12 Mar 1911 Died: 17 Apr 1967 Service: PFC U.S. Army WW II, served 23 Dec 1943 - 23 May 1946 Burial:Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Plot: Section Y site 885
Feuge, Leon Henry
Born: 2 Oct 1924 Died: 18 Aug 2008 Service: Pvt. U.S. Army WW II, served 1 Jun 1946 - 30 Nov 1947 Burial:Rankin Cemetery (Upton Co.)
Feuge, Lorenz Wendel
Born: 11 Sep 1917 Died: 20 May 2001 Service: Pvt. U.S. Army Air Corps WW II, served 10 May 1941 - 26 Oct 1945 Burial:Not stated / Unknown
Pvt. John Feuge Home On Leave
Pvt. John Feuge, son of Mr. and Mrs. Henry Feuge, who is stationed at Camp Swift, spent the weekend with friends and relatives here.
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 2 p. 428
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 3 p. 163
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 2 p. 201
Feuge, Louis Christian
Born: 1 Mar 1893 Died: 7 Sep 1970 Service: Pvt U.S. Army WW I, discharge 15 May 1919 Burial:Der Stadt Friedhof Plot: H, 09, 28
Feuge, Martin Albert
Born: 8 Jan 1923 Died: 3 Dec 1995 Service: 2nd Lt U.S. Army WW II, discharge 28 Feb 1946 Burial:Der Stadt Friedhof Plot: J, 18, 15
Feuge, Orson Hollis
Born: 29 Mar 1925 Died: 4 Jan 1999 Service: SGT U.S. Marine Corps WW II Burial:Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Plot: Section 25 Site 2069
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 1 p. 75
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 2 p. 385
Feuge, Raymond Henry
Born: 22 Aug 1918 Died: 22 Mar 1996 Service: Pvt. U.S. Army WW II, served 17 Fev 1942 - 26 Oct 1945 Burial:Greenwood Cemetery Plot: 3 005 072
Feuge, Walter Theodor
Born: 7 May 1896 Died: 7 Feb 1955 Service: PVT U.S. Army WW I Burial:Greenlawn Memorial Park
Fickert, William Eugene "Bill"
Born: 5 Aug 1924 Died: 20 Nov 2018 Service: U.S. Air Force Pacific Theater WW II Burial:Grapetown Cemetery
Raymond H. Feuge son of Mr. Otto Feuge was sent overseas with the US Army to Hawaili. Feuge was inducted early last Spring.
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 2, p. 146
Fiedler, Clarence George
Born: 5 May 1911 Died: 14 Oct 1981 Service: Tech Sergeant U.S. Air Force 1934 - 1955; U.S. Army WW II; enlisted 14 Nov 1945 Burial:Greenwood Cemetery Plot: 267 NEQ
Fiedler, Clemens A.
Born: 18 Dec 1919 Died: 10 Apr 1944 Service: 1st Lt, U.S. Army Air Force 335 Ftr Sq 4th Ftr Gp WW II, MIA - KIA; enlisted May 1943 Burial:St. Mary's Garden Cemetery Plot: SMG H 06 076
Tech Sergeant Clarence Fielder, son of Mr. and Mrs. August Fiedler, who is serving in the US Army, is stationed at Goodfellow Field, San Anglo Texas.
Lt. C. A. Fiedler Is County's 21st War Fatality
Gillespie County Lieutenant, Who Once Served With RAF Missing in Action Over Year
Lt. Clemens A. Fiedler, grandson of Mr. Bernhard Fiedler, who trained with the Royal Canadian Air Force so he could get into the war faster, while in the RAF, he serviced 18 months. prior to transferring to the U.S. Army Air Force; has been reported as "presumably killed in action" on April 10, 1944, according to a message received from the War Department by the grandfather last week.
Lt. Fiedler, holder of the Distinguished Flying Cross, and the Air Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, for being a fighter pilot stationed in England and completing 22 mission over occupied Europe. Last year he was reported as missing in action on April 10, 1944 and after the elapse of a year has been presumed killed in action, according to the message.
"The record concerning your grandson, " the message stated, "Shows that he was the pilot and sole occupant of a P-51 Mustang fighter type plane, and that on April 10, 1944, he departed from base in England on a fighter sweep mission to an unspecified target.
"At about 10:20 a. m. in the vicinity of Romoratin Airdrome, which is located approximately 35 miles south of Orleans, France, two other pilots on mission with Lt. Fiedler heard him call over the radio telephone that he was bailing out.
"Immediately after this message was received, his plane was seen to leave the formation, go into a dive, and fall to the ground. the plane was circled by your grandson's fellow pilots as it descended but no parachute was observed.
The finding does not establish an actual or probable date of death however, as required by law, it included a presumptive date of death as April 11, 1945, the day following the expiration of 12 months absence."
Lt. Fiedler, who graduated from Fredericksburg High School in the Class of 1938, studied for two years at the University of Texas and then entered the employee of a New York Exporting firm, volunteered for the Royal Canadian Air Force in 1941 when he found that he could begin training earlier than if he waited his turn in the U. S. Navy Air Corps, for which he had also volunteered.
Born: 1 Feb 1919 Died: 9 Oct 2021 Service: Cpl. U.S. Army WW II, discharge 16 Feb 1946 Burial:Comfort Cemetery
Fiedler, Herbert Albert
Born: 13 Jan 1913 Died: 20 Jul 2002 Service: U.S. Army Air Corps WW II, served 18 Nov 1941 - 16 Mar 1945 Burial:St. Mary's Garden Cemetery Plot: SMG L 01 002 A
Cpl. Harold Fielder entered the service in June 1943 and received his training at Sheppard Field, at Madison Wisc. and at Sioux Falls S.D.. In January 1944 he was sent overseas to England where he is still stationed with the Supply Depot. Harold married Miss Margaret Faust, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Pat Faust of Comfort.
Harold Fiedler Sees Top British General
PVT. Harold Fiedler, now in England with the U. S. Army, is hungry for news from home and this week sent a special request for a subscription to the Standard, "Hurry and get it over here," he said, in a message addressed to the editor.
"I have looked through the Red Cross registers at the various camps and cities that I have been at, " his letter continued, "and found 3 of the boys from Fredericksburg registered in them. One of them was Matthew Pyka. I was on pass last weekend to Cambridge and saw the sights, including the college. While there I had the thrill of seeing Gen. Montgomery, top British General."
Fiedler, who worked in a local drug store and later was in a tobacco salesman, is the son of Lionel Fiedler. Harold's wife is living in Comfort for the duration.
Harold served his country honorably during World War II, rising to the rank of Sergeant at an airfield supply depot with the Eighth Army Air Corp outside London. He always lamented that he was in "Buzz Bomb Alley" and received the Purple Heart after being knocked down and dazed with the explosion of one that left a 20-foot-deep hole just feet from where he was standing.
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 2 p. 391
Herbert Fiedler is the son of Mr. and Mrs. August Fiedler, he is stationed at N 2 Army Flying School, Texas serving in the US Army.
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 2, p. 31
Fiedler, Joe Arthur, Jr.
Born: 27 Feb 1923 Died: 1 Feb 1957 Service: U.S. Navy WW II, served 27 Feb 1943 - 22 Nov 1945 Burial:Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Plot: Section 2S Site 38
Born: 18 Apr 1928 Died: 30 May 2008 Service: TSGT U.S. Air Force Korea Burial:Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery Plot: Section 43 Site 129
Joe Fiedler Jr., age 20, son of Mr. and Mrs. Joe Fielder of Harper, is now in training with the US Navy at San Diego, California. Joe joined the Navy on March 23rd this year. Just recently he had the misfortune of breaking his right arm while in training. He is a graduate of Harper High School.
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 3, p. 80
Fiedler, Marvin Renatus Louis
Born: 8 Jul 1917 Died: 20 Aug 2006 Service: Sgt. U.S. Army Air Corps WW II; served 3 Mar 1942 - 27 Jan 1946 Burial:Der Stadt Friedhof Plot: N, 05, 11
Born: 21 Apr 1920 Died: 2 Dec 1991 Service: PFC U.S. Army WW II, served 15 Nov 1941 - 5 Oct 1945 Burial:Greenwood Cemetery Plot: 2 001 054
Sgt. Marvin Fielder entered the service in March 1942. He received his training at Sheppard Field, at Victoria and at Bryan, Texas where he is still stationed at the Army Air Field as a member of the ground crew. He married Miss Virginia Usener, daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Hugo Usener, several years ago. She is making her home at Bryan with her husband.
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 2, p. 451
Lt. Melvin L. Fiedler receiving his wings at Army Air School in Texas. He is the son of Lionel Fiedler, who received his wings at Moore Field Mission.First Lieutenant Melvin Fielder volunteered in the Air Forces in November 1942, was called to service in January, 1943 and received his training at several schools. He is a gradate of FHS, class 1941. On Feb. 8, 1944 he was awarded his silver wings and officers commission at Moore Field, Mission Texas. In June he was sent to Italy as a fighter pilot, then to Corsica and then back to Italy again. He was recently awarded the Air Medal.
PVT Norman J. Fiedler son of Mr. and Mrs. Ben Fiedler is reported to have arrived safely in Australia recently. He was drafted into the US Army November 1941. Norman J. Fiedler writes interesting letter home from Australia, to his parents concerning life in Australia and New Guinea.I am somewhere in Australia and have spent most of my time here since I got overseas. There are certain places in Australia that are really pretty, still you find places not so hot. the same as back in the States, good places and bad places are found wherever you go. I have met some nice people here. When we first got over here they treated us like their own sons. Now the money troubles us. Had trouble getting used to their money, they have pound notes like our dollar bills. their pound note is three dollars and a few cents in our money. So you see if you spend a pound here you have spend better than three dollars. Their pennies are the size of a Half dollar.Their five pound note is sixteen dollars and thirty two cents. They have pretty gardens and parks here also. Some large zoos, with some animals that I have not seen in the States. Now comes the jungles in New Guinea, you probably have heard of that place or seen it in the newsreel. As far as wild animals or big snakes... there are a few, the largest snake I saw was about 12 feet long. I saw a few kangaroos and some Wallabies. One thing that is plentiful is a little beast that buzzes by your ears, the mosquito. The jungle is very rugged. You can walk for several days and you will not see the sun. Another thing is the swamps. I went through swamps up to my neck .. not that I wanted to, but it had to be done. There are also some large rivers we must cross. They are full of Crocks, some as long as twelve feet. We cross some rivers in a native canoe, that were to swift to wade or swim. The natives are swell people they would work all day for a can of rations, or some dog biscuits as they call them. You find all sorts of fruit in the jungle, wild hogs and I had a change to eat a meal of wild boar meat, sweet potatoes, papers, taraws, tomatoes and other food stuff here that the Natives live on. Money does not mean much to them because they have no place to spend it. The skirts they wrap around their waist are made of bark of trees. Most of them ware very little clothing. They also have their school and missions. They had school twice a week at one place I have been. They are also very intelligent people, they learn fast. The Native Men are very good with their spears. When asked about the head hunters all they would say is that they are found in the mountains. Well folks that a long story about here. Will write soon.
Source: Master Index of Veterans at the Gillespie Co. Courthouse, Book 2, p. 92