Winston Churchill once said of World War Two that it was not a war of princes or chieftains, but of peoples and causes; a war fought by unknown heroes. Here we acknowledge the unknown heroes that Churchill was referring to as well; our fallen heroes as well as those that fought for our freedoms and returned with their memories. We remember and honour in our hearts the Allied heroes, war veterans and all the affected people, who valued freedom in their life above all else.

A    B    C    D    E    F    G    H    I    J    K    L    M    N    O    P    Q    R    S    T    U    V    W    XYZ

---

Ralph W. Fink

Technical Sergeant, US Army
Co. D, 157th Regiment, 45th Infantry Division
Ralph Fink was sworn into military service at Allentown, PA on 3 March 1943. Left home on 10 March 1943 by train for New Cumberland, PA Induction Center. After several days there, entrained for Camp Wolters, TX for thirteen weeks of basic training. He then took a troop train to Camp Shenango, PA. This was a stop-over, waiting for overseas shipment. After about two weeks, shipped to Camp Shanks, NY and then boarded USS Alexander for shipment to Oran, Africa. After two weeks on the high seas and several replacement camps, he was assigned to Company “D”, 157th Regiment, 45th Infantry Division at Benevento, Italy, approximately 10 October 1943. Remained with Company “D” for the remainder of the war.

Ralph participated in the fighting up the Volturno River Valley. Took part in the Winter Line, high in the mountains in the vicinity of Venafro, Italy. He then spent four months on Anzio Beachhead and participated in the fall of Rome. Next on the agenda was the invasion of southern France and fighting many battles into the Alsace Lorraine area. Crossed the Rhine River in the vicinity of Worms, Germany and proceeded through the Siegfried Line. The battles at Aschaffenberg and Bamberg followed only to be confronted with the liberation of Dachau on 29 April 1945. A few days later, entered Munich, Germany where the war ended on 8 May 1945.

After the war, Ralph was transferred to the 103rd Division for occupation duty in Huben, Austria and Pfaffenhausen, Germany. Shortly thereafter, he entrained for Camp Lucky Strike for shipment home. Sailed on a small ship, northern route, for Boston. He then boarded a train to Fort Indiantown Gap, PA for discharge. After a 45 day furlough, he was discharged late October 1945. Ralph Fink was the recipient of many awards:

Combat Infantryman’s Badge

Bronze Star Medal for heroic achievement in action on 17 August 1944 near Lorgues, France. When his motorized patrol suddenly encountered a strong enemy roadblock, Corporal Fink immediately opened fire from his truck. Drawing heavy return fire, he remained in his exposed and vulnerable position to deliver accurate fire enabling the leading vehicle to dash through the roadblock with valuable information for his battalion.

Second award of the Bronze Star Medal was received by Technical Sergeant Ralph W. Fink (then Staff Sergeant) for heroic achievement in action on 27 April 1945 near Marxheim, Germany. In charge of four machine guns, attached to an infantry battalion, which was forcing the crossing of the Danube River, Sergeant Fink placed the guns in four widely separated positions to give maximum support to the attacking forces. As time did not permit a communication system to be established and although the area was subjected to intense enemy rocket, artillery, and mortar fire, Sergeant Fink moved from one position to another, effectively directing fire of his guns upon enemy positions across the river. His leadership contributed greatly to the success of the operation.

Third Bronze Star Medal – This award was authorized after WWII to men having earned the Combat Infantry Badge.

The first Purple Heart awarded was for wounds of the right knee from mortar shrapnel on 12 September 1944 near Epinal, France. The second Purple Heart was awarded for wound of the left forearm by artillery shrapnel on 27 December 1944 near Leinbach, Germany.

European – African – Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with seven campaign stars and one Arrowhead. Campaigns were Naples-Foggia, Anzio, Rome-Arno, Southern France, Ardennes-Alsace, Rhineland, and Central Europe. Arrowhead represents invasion of southern France.

Army of Occupation Medal issued for the participation in occupation duties in Huben, Austria and Pfaffenhausen, Germany after WWII.

WWII Victory Medal to all personnel who participated in any way in the Epic Struggle of WWII.

Good Conduct Medal – Awarded to all military personnel free of any reprimands.

Award of Expert Badge with machine gun and carbine.

Military Discharge Button (Ruptured Duck) – Awarded to all military personnel at time of discharge.

---

George Frederick Finter

2nd Lieutenant, US Army
79th DIV. 314th INF. Cannon Co.
APR 1940 - DEC 1944
Bronze Star, Army Good Conduct, Europe/Africa/ME Campaign, WWII Victory, French Croix de Guerre, Combat Infantry Badge (First Award), Marksman Field Artillery, Ruptured Duck
2nd LT Finter landed at Normandy D-Day +6 fighting mostly in France. He was honorably discharged based on points in late December 1944 so he never made it all the way to Germany with his unit.
Submitted by grandson, John Finter

---

Carleton Fisher

Sgt, US Army
Sgt. Carleton Fisher, I Co., 314th Infantry Regiment, killed Nov. 18 at Fremonville, France, while assaulting the town. His hometown was Fairhaven, Mass.

---

Henry E. Freedman

Sgt, US Army
BRONZE STAR, POW MEDAL, GOOD CONDUCT, WWII, AMERICAN CAMPAIGN, COMBAT INF BADGE, EUROPEAN AFRICAN MIDDLE EASTERN MEDAL
Hank was born in Boston, Massachusetts on September 21, 1921. On October 13, 1942 he was assigned to 313th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division in Camp Blanding, Florida. After training in Florida and Tennessee as a machine gunner, Hank was promoted to Sergeant. He attended school at the University of Alabama at Tuscaloosa and Auburn University. In March 1944 Hank was assigned to 422nd Infantry Regiment, 106h Infantry Division at Camp Atterbury, Indiana. He was shipped overseas in October on the SS Aquatania, landing at Glasgow, Scotland. Hank then was transferred to Le Havre, France in November. On December 19, 1944, Hank was captured during the Battle of the Bulge. After much walking and being loaded in 40X8 boxcars and bombed by the RAF on Christmas Eve, Hank arrived at Stalag IXB on December 25, 1944. He was transferred to Stalag IXA on January 25, 1945. After being liberated on March 30, 1945, Hank spent 3 to 4 weeks in hospitals in France. He had lost 55 pounds as a POW. Hank was flown back to the United States and discharged November 24, 1945.