Skip to content
Fred Earl Birch, Jr.
Lilah Crowe2023-06-19T16:27:58-05:00
- Name: Fred Earl Birch Jr.
- Location of Birth: Holcomb, Wisconsin
- Date of Birth: May 11, 1916
- Date of Death: March 8, 1960 (43 years old)
- Parents: Fred Earl Birch, Sr. and Dovee (Worden) Birch
- High School and Class:
- College:
- Highest Rank: PFC (Private First Class)
- Branch: Army
- Other Branch:
- Date Sworn In: March 24, 1934 (Enlistment Date)
- Place Sworn In: Fort Snelling, St. Paul, Minnesota
- Date of Discharge: November 21, 1945 (Discharge Date)
- Place of Discharge:
-
- Military Awards:
- Military Highlights:
He served with Minnesota Headquarters Company, 3rd Battery Battalion, 475 Infantry Regiment.
Information in the United States, World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947:
Name: Fred Earl Birch, Jr.
Gender: Male
Race: White
Age: 24
Relationship to Draftee: Self (Head)
Birth Date: May 11, 1916
Birth Place: Holcomb, Wisconsin, USA
Residence Place: Grand Rapids, Itasca, Minnesota, USA
Registration Date: October 16, 1940
Registration Place: Grand Rapids, Itasca, Minnesota, USA
Employer: WPA
Height: 5' 7"
Weight: 165
Complexion: Dark
Hair Color: Brown
Eye Color: Brown
Next of Kin: Mrs. Fred Birch (mother)
- Wars Involved:
World War II
- MIA / POW:
- Civilian Life:
The family came to Itasca County many years ago and settled in the Dora Lake area. Several years ago Fred moved to Grand Rapids, Minnesota and then to California.
Survivors besides his father are his wife, Mary Ann; three daughters, Mrs. Darlene Heinzer, Mrs. Jeanne Smith, and Mrs. Marietta Linder; a son, Fred Birch III; three sisters, Mrs. Walter Fox, Sr., Mrs. Martin Zaic, and Mrs. John Evanoff; four brothers, Noble, Gene, Walter, and Ray.
Buried in Itasca Calvary Cemetery at Grand Rapids, Minnesota. (Plot I-C-23-1-8)
Information found on Find A Grave, submitted by Carron Birch.
Fred Earl Birch was my Dad's oldest brother. He was born to Fred and Dovvie Birch, and was the second oldest of 9 children. I was 4, going on 5 when he passed away, so I don't remember a lot about him. Just that he looked like my Daddy, and always had those candies called orange slices in his pockets for us kids!
He was in the Calvary before World War II, and after the war began, he was in the infantry in the United States Army. While serving in China, Uncle Fred had a heart attack and was sent home. He was still only in his late twenties. He continued to have heart problems and was told he should move to a warmer climate. He and his family moved to San Diego, California. Shortly after, he had a massive heart attack and died, at 43 years old.
Uncle Fred was preceded in death by his mother Dovvie in 1947, his youngest brother Arthur, in 1955, and his grandparents. He left behind his wife, Mary; 3 daughters; one son; 5 grandchildren (12 more would follow after his death); his father, Fred; three sisters; and four brothers. And many nieces and nephews who loved him very much!
- Tribal Affiliation(s):