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Fred C. Brander |
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Fred C. Brander
1SG, USA Retired
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| Enlisted in the Army in January 1946 at the age of seventeen. After basic training, I went to Germany on occupation duty with Co. B, 16th Inf. Regt, 1st Infantry Division. I returned to CONUS in 1949 and had a break in service. In October 1949, I re-enlisted and served with various units, until 1951, when I volunteered for the Airborne Ranger Companies. I remained in the Ranger Training Command, with the 7th Ranger Co (Abn) until deactivation of the Ranger Companies in August 1951. |
| In 1952, I was sent to Germany again, and served four and one half years with the 6th Infantry Regt in Berlin. I returned to CONUS with orders to the 82nd Abn Division, but was diverted to the 101st Abn Division. I was initially assigned to Co E, 508th Abn, then to HHC, 506th Abn Battle Group, I was later reassigned to Co E, 506th. In mid 1961 I transferred to Co D, 327th Battle Group. In 1962 I transferred to Co E 327th BG. In mid 1963 I went to Korea for one year. Upon return from Korea in 1964 I was assigned to HHC, 1/506 as Recon Platoon Sgt. In 1965 I volunteered for the 1st Brigade, and was assigned to C, 1/327 as the 2nd Platoon Sgt. In June 1965 I deployed with the unit and went to Vietnam aboard the "Leroy S Eltinge", a luxury liner chartered by DOD. |
| I remained with C, 1/327 until March 1966. I then went to MACV and was assigned as an advisor to the RVN 37th Ranger BN. I returned to CONUS in September 1965 and rejoined the 101st Abn Division. I was initially assigned to HHC 2/501 as Recon Platoon Sgt, and upon promotion to E-8, I was assigned to A 2/501 as First Sergeant and deployed with the unit to Vietnam in December 1967. I remained with A 2/501 until <arch 1969. In March 1969 I extended my tour and was assigned as an advisor to the Vietnamese Airborne Division. I remained in this assignment until my retirement in Vietnam in February 1973. I remained in Vietnam as a civilian until November 1974. |
In 1974 I went to Singapore and was employed by a company named Offshore Navigation Inc. The company provided navigation for offshore oil survey, positioning of offshore oil rigs, etc. I lived and worked out of Singapore until 1984. I returned to CONUS in 1984 and continued to work for ONI. I worked in the following countries: Argentina, Australia, Burma, Greece, Indonesia, Japan, Malaysia, East Malaysia, Morocco, New Guinea, New Zealand, Pakistan, Taiwan, Thailand and a few countries in the Persian Gulf.
I worked as Property Manager for a Real Estate firm from 1990 to 1995, and then went into full retirement. |
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Awards & Decorations
Silver Star, w/1 OLC
Bronze Star, w/V 7 OLC
Purple Heart, w/2 OLC
ARCOM, w/V 4 OLC
Air Medal, 2nd Award
National Defense Service Medal w/1 OLC
Occupation Medal, Germany
World War II Victory Medal
Good Conduct Medal, 7th Award
Vietnam Gallantry Cross, w/Silver Star
Vietnam Gallantry Cross, w/Bronze Star
Vietnamese Honor Medal 2nd Class
Vietnamese Staff Service Medal
Vietnam Service Medal
Vietnam Campaign Medal, w/16 Stars
Unit Awards
Valorous Unit Award, w/1 OLC
Meritorious Unit Award
Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation
Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, w/Palm
Vietnamese Civic Action Medal
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| Group picture taken in March 1968, when Fred was a First Sergeant of A, 2/501 General Abrams is on left awarding a Purple Heart to Fred, also in photo are MG Barsanti, CG 101st Abn Div and Col John Cushman, CO 2nd Brigade. |
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