But that won't stop many people marking the occasion privately. He also was a barber and provided hair cuts when possible. Liberation Day, known in Norwegian as Frigjringsdagen, is marked every year in Norway on the 8th of May. His dynamic command style and up front combat leadership is found today throughout Special Forces. There was also armed resistance and famous acts of sabotage, most notably the Heavy Water Warthat played out in Telemark. In 1941, he was assigned from Hawaii to serve under Major General (MG) Dwight D. Eisenhower, War Plans Division, as the U.S. entered World War II. This occurred on December 5th 1944. She remembers the day when they saw the Norwegian flag flying down in the valley. My uncle was in the First Special Service Force, a joint American/Canadian special forces super commando unit which was the predecessor of todays Special Forces. Disbanded 4 August 1952. Source: MNHS Collections. Very .hard times, Hi (99th Infantry Battalion replaced 3rd Battalion on 25 January 1945.) Size is 29 x 19 inches. There have been two units given the title '74th Infantry Regiment'. One of my latest pieces, I had been looking for a nice V42 dagger for some time. Unemployment Benefits: What Happens if You Lose Your Job in Norway, Viking Words: The Old Norse Influence on English, Caving in Norway: The Best Places To Go Spelunking. None of those operations actually happened, because, although we developed a snow vehicle, the Weasel, for the operations in Norway and the Transylvanian Alps, we never went to either of those places. Find 474th Infantry Regiment (United States) stock photos and editorial news pictures from Getty Images. The 1st Special Service Force was an elite American-Canadian commando unit in World War II, under the command of the United States Fifth Army. For example, by the end of January, 1945, the 47 th Infantry Regiment (which fought in France and Germany) had lost well over 100% of their strength to battle casualties, where men were either killed, wounded, missing, or taken as prisoner of war. In December of 1944 the Force was disbanded and reformed into the 474th Infantry Regiment who finally took part in the Liberation of Norway. 474th Infantry Regiment - RPL's Local History 474th Infantry Regiment Veterans Who Have Passed: Bjarne J. Jacobsen January 27, 2020 Andrew Source: Rockford Register Star, Jan. 6, 2020. Frederick was medically retired on 31 March 1952, but presented the FSSF colors to the U.S. Army Special Warfare Center and School at Fort Bragg, North Carolina in 1960. Would love to hear of any remaining nazi fortifications in norway that can be visited. 2Dogs, 73rd Infantry Bn. 474th Infantry Regiment 436. Powered by Invision Community. The distinctive unit insignia was approved on 23 August 1954. Inactivated, less the 99th Infantry Battalion, on 16 September 1956 at Fort Devens; concurrently the 99th Infantry Battalion was relieved as an organic element of the 74th Infantry. But I only kept one out of every four American enlisted volunteers. Constituted 9 July 1918 in the Regular Army as the 74th Infantry and assigned to the 12th Division. In January 1945, the Battalion joined the veterans of the First Special Service Force, Darby's Rangers and the 552nd Anti-Tank Company in the new 474th Infantry Regiment. Vito, The Allies feared that the German army in Norway would refuse to capitulate. There have been two units given the title '74th Infantry Regiment'; the first was a World War I unit of the 12th Division, and the second was a World War II unit formed with US Army personnel and equipment of the inactivating US-Canadian 1st Special Service Force "Devil's Brigade". The patch shows a Ranger scroll as part of there design. Also known as the Norwegian Home Front Museum, the museum displays equipment, photos and documents from the war years. So, he wrote a memorandum to that effect, which came to the operation division, and it came down to me, the chief of the current section, which handled more than one theater of operation. Of course, at Anzio, we sometimes ran into some conscripted Poles. Born to a doctor and nurse in San Francisco, California, in 1907, Robert Tryon Frederick was the oldest of two children, with a younger sister. Belgium WWI WWII Prisoners War Labor Valorem Medal palms stars WW1 WW2 1914 1940 1918 1945 Great Belgian Decoration Award King Leopold III Nazi Germany Gestapo Military Medals Orders Badges Decorations Insignia Army Navy Air Force Pilot Wings decals Dracomedals Medals-Orders Learn how and when to remove this template message, http://www.history.army.mil/html/forcestruc/lh.html, https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=74th_Infantry_Regiment_(United_States)&oldid=953598129, This page was last edited on 28 April 2020, at 01:58. And then, during daylight the following day, they had to stay under the trees, not smoke or cook or talk loud. 1/,2/,3/474th Infantry Regiment 1/,2/,3/484th Infantry Regiment 1/,2/,3/,4/254th Artillery Regiment 254th Panzerjger Battalion 254th Reconnaissance Battalion 254th Pioneer Battalion 254th Signals Battalion 254th Division (Einheiten) Support Units 256th Division: 1/,2/,3/456th Infantry Regiment He now works as a professional writer on all things Scandinavia. Relieved from the 12th Division and demobilized 31 January 1919 at Camp Devens. Colonel Frederick was wounded three times in Rome. Organized July 1918 at Camp Devens, Massachusetts. Used as research material for the book by R. D. Burhans, The First Special Service Force: A War History of the North Americans, 1942-1944 . Nisei Womens Army Corps (WAC) detachment at Fort Snelling, about 1945. The RCT took the number designation of the infantry regiment. In their off time soldiers at the fort enjoyed dances and socials, swimming pools and golfing, as well as a movie theater and post libraries run by the Red Cross. and still others formed the 474th Infantry Regiment, which served with the Third United States Army and performed occupation duty in Norway." On 26-January 1945 the 99th Infantry Battalion (Separate) also known as "The Viking Battalion", joined the 474th Infantry Regiment. The 74th Infantry Regiment was a regular infantry regiment of the United States Army. After the Ardennes-Alsace (Battle of the Bulge) Campaign, the 99th was made part of special force 474th Infantry Regiment (Separate) who's three battalions were made from American portion of FSSF + many replacements to fill battalion, remaining survivors of Ranger battalions 1st, 2nd & 4th Battalions + many replacements to fill battalion and the Ryksopps Profound Mysteries Live in Oslo, Americans in Norway: Facts, Stats & Resources, Ryksopp: Norways Foremost Electronic Music Duo. It marks the anniversary of 8 May 1945, when Nazi Germany forces withdrew from Norway and World War II came to an end. And then at night, we went up and scaled the rest of the way to the top of Monte la Difensa. QUESTION: What psychological effect do you think this had, or were you able to determine that it had on the German soldiers? Find many great new & used options and get the best deals for US Army 474th infantry Regiment / 74th Regimental Combat Team Patch Inv# K1132 at the best online prices at eBay! The combat-tested FSSF was transferred to the European theater, specifically to the Fifth U.S. Army (Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark) in Italy. Inactivated, less 99th Infantry Battalion, on 26 October 1945 at Camp Shanks, New York. Relieved from the 12th Division and demobilized 31 January 1919 at Camp Devens. [15]. It depicts elements of the units from which the 474th IR was formed: Arrow = 1st Special Service Force; black scroll, = rangers; viking ship = 99th Inf Bn. At its height in 1942, the Reception Center was capable of processing approximately 800 recruits each day. He was also instrumental in procuring nonstandard equipment for the force. Becker, one of the lucky ones, was rolled into the 474th Infantry Regiment with many other FSSF survivors, then fought the rest of the war and occupied Norway afterwards. A Silver color and metal enamel device NaNinches in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Azure, a cross Gules fimbriated Argent, in dexter chief two arrows saltirewise of the like, and in sinister base a fleur-de-lis of the last. 474th Infantry Regiment (United States) or 74th Infantry Regiment (United States), Regular infantry regiment in the United States Army 474th Tactical Fighter Squadron, inactive United States Air Force unit 474th Tactical Fighter Wing, inactive United States Air Force unit See also [ edit] 474 (number) 475th Fighter Group, Fifth Air Force 173; 754. 80 @mikegolicjr Dad/Mr. After 1944 the fort was the location of the Military Intelligence Service Language School, where Nisei (second-generation) Japanese Americans learned Japanese, Korean, and Chinese language and culture in preparation for overseas service as interpreters, interrogators, and intelligence workers. The Force spearheaded the drive to Rome in June, by securing key bridges for the Allied armor advance. The casualties suffered by a typical American infantry regiment serving in World War II were horrendous. [page 317] COMMAND AND STAFF Commanding General. This unit was first designated as the 474th Infantry Regiment, later redesignated as the 74th Infantry Regiment. Inactivated, less 99th Infantry Battalion, on 26 October 1945 at Camp Shanks, New York. MG FREDERICK: I know that the Germans at Monte la Difensa were very fine soldiers. But the commander-in-chief in Norway received an order from the new national president, Karl Dnitz. Regt and was demobilized at the end of WW I on 4-2-19. The US military still maintains a presence on the site, with some buildings and properties being used by reservists from the US Army, Navy, Marines, and Air Force. On that day in 1945, the people of Norway took to the streets to celebrate their long-awaited freedom. This unit earned a campaign streamer for Central Europe. The resistance took the form of military defence and counter-attacks, in part to allow the legitimate government of Norway to evade capture and escape to London. 10th Infantry Regiment DUI Crest. Jim Baker Member MISLS students, 1945. Please let me know if you can help. Constituted 9 July 1918 in the Regular Army as the 74th Infantry and assigned to the 12th Division. The 474th followed the main infantry units, mopping up behind the lines. While not a public holiday, Liberation Day is an official flag day. The 474th Infantry Regiment was formed from hardened Veterans of the Fist Special Service Force. The colors of the patch reflected the branch colors of the infantry, artillery and engineers. Textual Records: Regimental, battalion, company, and detachment records, including letters sent and received, correspondence, general and special orders, descriptive books, returns, and histories, of the 1st Infantry Regiment, 1827-1918; 2d Infantry Regiment, 1815-1920; 3d Infantry Regiment, 1822-1919; 4th Infantry Regiment, 1821-1917; 5th 99th Infantry Battalion inactivated on 2 November 1945 at Camp Miles Standish, Massachusetts. My handle is Pitfighter on a bunch of other collecting sites, this site would not allow that name, and so for the first time in fifteen years I have a different name online, lol. Constituted 11 November 1944 in the Regular Army as the 474th Infantry. the 474th Infantry Regiment (Separate) moved to RBGENSBURG (U15) to act as security forces for Headquarters, Third U.S. Army while the remainder of the regiment patrolled and policed its assigned areas. Given six months to prepare the FSSF for combat, Frederick, leading by example, initiated airborne training, in low-quarter shoes since his jump boots had not arrived. MG FREDERICK: Well, particularly at Anzio, we were there for four months, and when they went out at night on patrols, they blackened their faces. Formally disbanded on 6 January 1945, FSSF American veterans became the 474th Infantry Regiment (Separate). And then from Kiska, we came back to the United States and went to Italy, and the first operation in Italy was Monte la Difensa. Seymour Mermelstein, from New Jersey, joined the First Special Service Force, composed of American and Canadian soldiers, an all-volunteer unit. This particular regiment of the US Army was created in November 1944 by the amalgamation of elements from the First Special Service Brigade; 1st, 3rd and 4th Ranger Battalions; and the 99th Infantry Battalion (composed of Norwegians and Norwegian-Americans). On 10-27-21 the 107th Infantry reorganized as a NYNG unit. After it was deactivated in December, 1944, Mr. Mermelstein and other Americans in the original unit became the nucleus of the 474th Infantry Regiment. Activated 6 January 1945 in France with American personnel from the joint Canadian-American 1st Special Service Force. 1/,2/,3/474th Infantry Regiment 1/,2/,3/473rd Infantry Regiment 1/,2/,3/,4/254th Artillery Regiment 254th Reconnaissance Battalion 254th Panzerjger Battalion 254th Pioneer Battalion 254th Signals Battalion 254th Division (Einheiten) Support Unit 16th Army: Reserve: Monte la Difensa had held up the 5th United States Army for several weeks. He led the Force amphibious assaults on 14 August 1944 on the islands of Port Cros and Levant in the Mediterranean. 474th Infantry Regiment, 1944-45 | San Luis Obispo CA The patch is in nice condition. Sir Winston Churchill and Lord Cherwell, Churchills Scientific Advisor, suggested that a unit be formed to go into Norway and destroy the hydroelectric stations, go into the Transylvanian Ops in Italy and destroy the hydroelectric station, go into Romania and destroy the Ploieti oil field. On 3 December 1944 at age thirty-seven MG Frederick took command of the 45th Infantry Division. Protecting the southern flank of the Seventh Army as it drove into France, the Force moved diagonally north and east up the Mediterranean coast toward the French-Italian border. Thank's for any info you can provide me. The 7th Inf was redesignated 10-1-17 as the 107th Inf. The 474th had been activated on 6 January 1945 with American personnel from the recently disbanded Canadian-American 1st Special Service Force "Devil's Brigade". A descendant of Norwegian heritage now in NEW Zealand. The V-42 was rated by the British as a superior close quarters combat blade. The Parliament's President, the Prime Minister and the Defense Minister also took participated. Gerhard Strom was a member of the 99th. Hi new member here, nice to meet you all. I have been searching for some info on the 474th Inf. COL Frederick experienced firsthand poor intelligence, inadequate planning, small boats, and unpreparedness and inexperience of the U.S. Army with amphibious operations. We sent them down --. International Coalition of Sites of Conscience. The first time the day became a flag day was in 1960, when the government decided to mark the 15th anniversary of the end of the war. 75th Composite (Tng) 88th Airborne Bn 99th Infantry Bn 100th Infantry Bn 101st Infantry Bn This unit was first . Disbanded 4 August 1952. And thats when the dead German officer, when we went through his personal effects, we found a diary in which he had written The black Devils are all around us, and we never hear them come. 99th Field Artillery 839. Newly promoted Brigadier General Frederick was sent to command the 1st Allied Airborne Task Force for the invasion of Southern France. That same year, a poll showed overwhelming support amongst the population for a permanent flag day. Military Police were trained at the fort as well as the 99th Infantry Battalion Seperate (eventually part of the 474th Infantry Regiment), made up of Norwegian-speaking soldiers who trained to fight on skis and snowshoes. I saved the citation and would like to send it to some group that would preserve it and its memory. For access to these records, please contact the National Archives at College Park . His military career began at age 14 in a National Guard Cavalry unit, after he lied about his age to enlist. The first was a World War I unit of the 12th Infantry Division, and the second was a World War II unit formed with US Army personnel and equipment of the inactivating US-Canadian 1st Special Service Force "Devil's Brigade." At the time, the thought that Germany would voluntarily give up control of Norway, which they had heavily fortified and stationed hundreds of thousands of soldiers, was by no means a given. Attached below a Silver scroll inscribed AUDAX ET FORTIS (Bold and Brave) in Blue letters. And that was where the trouble started, because I noticed that the Germans were not observing the north side of the mountain, because it was such a steep cliff, they didnt expect anyone to come up there. Funding provided by the State of Minnesota, the Legacy Amendment through the vote of Minnesotans on Nov. 4, 2008, and our generous donors and members. The Museum of Post War Reconstruction in Hammarfest tells of events after WWII in Finnmark and Northern Troms: the liberation of Eastern Finnmark, the scorched earth policy, forced evacuation and reconstructiion after the war. They used two infantry divisions to try to get up there, but neither one was able to make it. 2LT Frederick served in a variety of troop assignments before duty with the Civilian Conservation Corps, Oregon, in 1933 won him recognition and praise from his superiors for resourcefulness and initiative. The motto translates Bold and Brave.. On 1 July 1934, Frederick was promoted to First Lieutenant (1LT) and selected as Aide-de-Camp for the Commanding General, Ninth Coast Artillery District, Presidio of San Francisco, California. Disbanded 4 August 1952. 42 Personal Korea War 1st Army Unit 21st Gimlet Infantry Regiment Eau Claire WI. The fleur-de-lis represents the Regiments European battle honors awarded for service during World War II. Attached below a Silver scroll inscribed "AUDAX ET FORTIS" (Bold and Brave) in Blue letters. In his house was a framed citation from the people of Norway wish to thank you. The citation was for his father, Gerhard Strom, for taking part in the Liberation on May 8, 1945. The FSSF was dispatched to Italy where the Fifth U.S. Army, commanded by Lieutenant General Mark W. Clark, was stalemated by the Germans. Akershus Fortress was great until I reached the Resistance museum, l couldnt finish the tour. GitHub export from English Wikipedia. Gilda passed away in 1989. Relieved from the 12th Division and demobilized 31 January . World War II (1941-1945) When the United States entered World War II in December 1941, Fort Snelling became the induction point for more than 300,000 men and women who joined the armed forces. You can expect to see the Norwegian flag flying high on all public buildings and from many private houses and apartment balconies. 478th Fighter Squadron 353. Seymour Mermelstein, from New Jersey, joined the First Special Service Force, composed of American and Canadian soldiers, an all-volunteer unit. Flugabwehrbrigade (Vereinigtes Knigreich) Die 80. Select from premium 474th Infantry Regiment (United States) of the highest quality. Reproduction WW 2 US Army Guide on 474th Infantry Regiment Company D May have a few chalk marks from tailor, will clean off. Accepted to the U.S. Military Academy, he graduated on 9 June 1928 with a Second Lieutenant (2LT) commission in the Coast Artillery Corps. MG FREDERICK: Well, the first operation we had was at Kiska in the Aleutian Islands. Major Frederick graduated from the advanced Coast Artillery School in 1938 and the Command and General Staff College in 1939. "Women in the Military - WWII: Overview," Minnesota Historical Society. It is in mint condition. Read more: The History of Norway in World War II. Subscribe to 474th Infantry Regiment Footer menu. It is in mint condition. The 474th Infantry Regiment took part in the liberation of Norway in 1945. The insignia is based upon the FSSF 'red arrow' badge . ORIGINAL CUT-EDGE WW2 474th INFANTRY REGIMENT PATCH. The 74th Infantry Regiment was a regular infantry regiment of the United States Army. MG FREDERICK: Oh, a couple hundred prisoners. (Note the taped 30-round magazines in his M1A1 Thompson for a faster reload) . 99th Infantry Battalion inactivated on 2 November 1945 at Camp Miles Standish, Massachusetts. Redesignated 74th Infantry on 21 June 1954 and activated on 8 October 1954 at Fort Devens, Massachusetts. Have you contacted the Sons of Norway? 80. Does anyone know if there is a tie between the FSSF and the 99th Battalion? It comprised units in Alabama, Tennessee, Mississippi, and Florida. John enlisted for military service in April 1942 and was honorably. BG Frederick relinquished command of the Force on 23 June to lead the 1st Allied Airborne Task Force preparing for Operation DRAGOON. The insignia is based upon the FSSF 'red arrow' badge . Rome was occupied on 4 June 1944. FOR SALE! Such brave citizens. 8 WHEREAS, the First Special Service Force members went on to serve as the 474th Infantry Regiment 9 in Norway through the end of the European Conflict as well as storied units such as the 45th Infantry Division, 10 marching onto Berlin; and 11 WHEREAS, the Camp Rimini War Dog Reception and Training Center was established in late 1942. Enslaved African Americans and the Fight for Freedom, "Loyal Linguists: Nisei of World War II Learned Japanese in Minnesota." The motto translates "Bold and Brave.". By Was the Ranger Diamond worn by all the Battalion's in Europe? A Silver color and metal enamel device .mw-parser-output .frac{white-space:nowrap}.mw-parser-output .frac .num,.mw-parser-output .frac .den{font-size:80%;line-height:0;vertical-align:super}.mw-parser-output .frac .den{vertical-align:sub}.mw-parser-output .sr-only{border:0;clip:rect(0,0,0,0);height:1px;margin:-1px;overflow:hidden;padding:0;position:absolute;width:1px}1+18 inches (2.9cm) in height overall consisting of a shield blazoned: Azure, a cross Gules fimbriated Argent, in dexter chief two arrows saltirewise of the like, and in sinister base a fleur-de-lis of the last. Abstract: Materials relating to activities of the First Special Service Force ("Devil's Brigade") and the 474th Infantry Regiment during World War II including correspondence, field orders, directives, reports, regulations, handbooks, maps, and photographs. 482nd Antiaircraft Artillery Battalion, 9th Armored Division 470. COL Frederick personally reconnoitered the approach routes and key terrain objectives, minimizing causalities and preserving the element of surprise. Organized July 1918 at Camp Devens, Massachusetts. Activated 6 January 1945 in France with American personnel from the joint Canadian-American 1st Special Service Force. The red cross appears on the Norwegian flag and alludes to the 3d Battalion (99th Infantry Battalion), constituted and activated in 1942, and composed of the citizens of Norway living in the United States and Norwegian speaking Americans. The Norwegian Royal Family has a long tradition of participation in such events. The red cross appears on the Norwegian flag and alludes to the 3d Battalion (99th Infantry Battalion), constituted and activated in 1942, and composed of the citizens of Norway living in the United States and Norwegian speaking Americans. Clutchbacked and Meyer 22M hallmarked. https://www.nordicmuseum.org/. Dear Mr. Brun, Thank you for posting your request on History Hub! These are men who served in either the 552nd Anti Tank Infantry Company (Separate), assigned to the 1st Airborne Task Force for Operation Dragoon, or the Anti Tank Company of the 474th Infantry Regiment (Separate), after Operation Dragoon, or both. Arriving in Naples, Italy on 19 November 1943, Frederick and the Force had to break 15th Panzer Grenadier division defenses on the Winter Line mountainous peaks.