This is the Virgil Ferber Story
From an article in the Republican Eagle September 20, 1944
Pfc. Virgil Ferber's Company Cited for Bougainville Jap Annihilation
Participating in an attack which the War department has officially termed “one of the outstanding examples of daring and courage” in the Southwest Pacific theater, Pfc. Virgil F. Ferber, of Red Wing, today holds the distinction of membership in an infantry company cited by President Roosevelt for heroism in action. The Minnesota infantryman is the son of Mrs. Martha Ferber, 1502 West Fourth Street, Red Wing. The citation entitles Pfc. Ferber to wear the Distinguished Unit Badge, an award presented to units for acts which, in an individual soldier, would qualify him for the Distinguished Service Cross. His company was honored for “the magnificent gallantry, heroism, teamwork and will to win that it demonstrated in a crucial operation, and for its tremendously significant part in the action on Hill 700, which resulted in a victory of major importance to the entire U.S. Defense of Bougainville island.
Removes Major Threat “This company participated in a counter-attack against enemy positions atop Hill 700, which resulted in the destruction of Japanese forces in that sector and the removal of a of a major threat to the our positions,” the presidential citation said. "This action, which took place on March 12, 1944, was a double envelopment by two infantry companies, and represented one of the outstanding examples of daring and courage to occur in this theater. The proximity of the enemy to our lines prohibited the use of supporting artillery, and the rugged terrain precluded the use of tanks. Our attacking forces were compelled to advance against almost every conceivable obstacle. The enemy enjoyed a commanding position, excellent fields of fire, superior observation and the natural advantage according to the defender. The American troops on the other hand, had to execute a difficult flanking movement across precipitous, fire-swept terrain, against a determined and confident enemy occupying strong defensive positions.
407 Japanese Killed “The attack begun simultaneously with the advance of another company on the east flank, was a charge against enemy positions under a withering hail of fire at point-blank range. Utilizing rocket launchers, flame throwers, smoke grenades, and other infantry weapons, the men swept over the Japanese position, made contact with the other unit approaching from the east and secured the objective. “The company lost three enlisted men killed, and four officers and 38 enlisted men wounded in this assault. The enemy lost 407 counted dead in the immediate area, and were practically annihilated. The back bone of the entire enemy offensive was broken on Bougainville”.
Pfc. Ferber had been overseas since September 1943, and was stationed on New Caledonia and Guadalcanal before joining the 37th division in the Bouganinville campaign. Beside the Distinguished Unit Badge, he wears the Combat Infantryman Bade for exemplary conduct in action.
Wounded on Luzon Pfc. Virgil F. Ferber, son of Mr. And Ms. Philip Ferber, 1520 Fourth Street, was slightly wounded in action on Luzon, February 9, according to a telegram received by the parents today. Ferber has been overseas for 18 months.
Sgt. Virgil Ferber was a Squad Leader according to his Separation Qualification Record:
Virgil supervised the tactical employment and operation functions of a Light Machine Gun Squad. He was responsible for the selection of gun positions and fire control. Virgil Ferber has 27 ½ months overseas service in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater for which he holds two bronze stars. Awarded the purple heart medal for wounds incurred on Luzon, February 9, 1945.
Virgil was born on December 5, 1922 to Mr. And Mrs. Philip Ferber. He attended school at Red Wing Central High and graduated in 1942. He entered the service on March 12, 1943 and joined the U.S. Army in the Infantry at Fort Snelling, Minnesota. He was assigned to Company F, 148th Infantry Regiment. Later transferred to the 37th Regiment. Virgil was discharged from the service at Camp McCoy, Wisconsin on December 26, 1945.
Medals and awards Virgil was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Bronze Service Arrowhead Victory Ribbon, Asiatic-Pcific Theater Service Ribbon, Distinguished Unit Badge, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with One Bronze star and the Good Conduct Medal. He served in New Caledonia and Guadalcanalon before being engaged in the intense combat liberation of Boigenville.
Personal Notes After being discharged from the Army, Virgil returned to Red Wing where he worked at S.B. Foot Tanning Company for 40 years. He married his long time sweetheart Audrey Johnson Ferber.
Editors note: We have said repeatedly that all the men and women that served our country in WWII were heroes. Many of our men and women were placed in harms way and went through combat. Virgil was one of those, he went through intense combat in the liberation of Bougainville as a Squad Leader of a Machine Gun Crew. Their unit received the Distinguished Unit Badge for their courage and braveness. So, we feel it's important to preserve the history of their accomplishments. Virgil Ferber is truly one of Red Wing's Greatest Generation. Another Red Wing hero. We are so very proud of you. Thanks Virgil.
This is the Captain John Paul Sundberg Story
a paragon of modesty and privacy ... from the Whidbey News Times Sept. 29, 2004
John's Obituary: Captain John Paul Sundberg, USN (ret.) was born April 12, 1925 in Red Wing, Minnesota and died September 26, 2004 in Oak Harbor, WA. It seems strange to be writing this public obituary for John Sundberg, because all of his life he has been a paragon of modesty and privacy. Therefore, this is written for his family and friends, near and far, who love him.
A good place to start is his Red Wing All-School Reunion June 23-24-25, 2000. He was elected to the high school's “Wall of Honor”. (Editor's note: This was not the All School Reunion, but was actually a home coming foot ball game, where John was enshrined in the Wall of Honor.)
A summary of his life was featured. All Star Athlete of the Year 1943, All-state end and all-conference end and co-captain of the football team. Varsity letters in three sports, football, basketball and track, while working 30 hours hours a week in his family grocery store. (Note: Sundberg's was a popular neighborhood grocery store on the corner of Highway 61 and Plum Street. They featured prime cut meats and produce that was second to none. This was in the era prior to Super Markets.) Enlisted in the Navy that year (1943) and was sent to Miami University where he met Trudy James, from Trenton, N.J. He was a basketball player, she was a cheerleader. They were married in 1948 and have been married for 56 years. He later received his B.S. Degree in Economics and Mathematics from the University of Minnesota.
John served with distinction in the US navy for 33 years Commanding officer of VAH2 and VAH 123. (Aircraft Carriers). Was proud to fly the Skywarrior, participated in combat missions in Vietnam. Awarded five air medals, Navy Commendation Medals and Navy Unit Commendation Medal. Served or landed on over 15 aircraft carriers. Selected for the State Department's Senior Seminar in Foreign Policy in Washington, D.C.
Did a case study on “The Effect of Young American Tourists on International Good Will”. Research conducted in London, Stockholm, Copenhagen and Amsterdam. After Language School, John was assigned to the Diplomatic corps in the Netherlands as the Defense and Naval Attache to the American Embassy in the “The Hague”.
After his tour of duty there, he was awarded the “Commodore, in the Order of Oranje Nassau,” from the Royal Navy for his outstanding work. During his retirement, John volunteered to do shopping, cooking and dishes so Trudy could devote maximum effort to founding the “Save our Kids Crusade”, an anti-violence coalition in Oak Harbor.
Outstanding Naval officer, devoted husband, father, grandfather, diplomat, outdoorsman, gourmet chef and golfer. The Red Wing High School Wall of Honor listed his personal characteristics as, Intelligent, Self-disciplined, Self- reliant, Versatile, and Modest.
In his immediate family, John is survived by his wife, Trudy, four children, and three grandchildren whom he adored. Kris Sundberg (Nancy Seaton), their daughter Kristin, Jan (Bob Whitson), their daughter Lilly and their son Sean, Lana Sundberg (Eric Hoffman) and Dane Sundberg.
Editors note: John Sundberg served in World War II, but most of his fabulous feats were in Viet Nam, and after. We salute him. One of the greatest of the Greatest Generation.
This is the Fred K. Hahn Story
Fred Hahn was one of those Greatest Generation guys that helped win the war in the South Pacific. There were many that served, some died, some bled, all were heroes, though none will admit it. But let's start at the beginning ...
Fred's parents were Fredrick and Anna Hahn, who came to Omaha, Nebraska in 1913 from the Ukraine, Russia. They had 8 children, 4 boys and 4 girls, including the Fred we know. They eventually settled in Zumbrota were Fred was born on October 28, 1917.
The family moved to Red Wing and Fred went to school in Red Wing, but never graduated. This was fairly common in the depression years. Kids quit school and went to work to help the family through the tough times in the '30s.
Back to the war ... Fred was drafted and went to Fort Snelling, Minneapolis, Minnesota on April 10, 1942 and was sworn in. He was shipped to Fort Dodge, Damoris, Iowa, then to Camp Roberts, California for 13 weeks of basic training. He then went to Fort Lewis, Washington, and joined the 40th Infantry Division. Fred was then transferred to Camp Stoneman, California where he was then shipped to Hawaii awaiting overseas duty. He was stationed on the Island of Kauai, territory of Hawaii where he joined the 33rd Infantry Division, Company H, 123rd Infantry Regiment.
They were then transferred and enjoyed their boat ride to Finshafen, New Guinea in May 1944. He left New Guinea and his regiment was left alone on Sarmi & Wadke Island. They fought the Japanese. Fred was an ammunition barrier on a 30 cal. Heavy Machine Gun. This was a heavy machine gun with a 4 man crew. The gun was placed on a tripod and then ready for firing. The infantry had light machine guns which were in front, then heavy machine guns , then the artillery with big guns, and then the planes from the Air Corps. It was a great team.
In combat with fierce fighting
They left Dutch New Guinea on a ship to Luzon, Philippines. Here the whole 33rd Infantry Division with its three regiments, the artillery, engineers, medical detachment and all attachments began to fight under the leadership of General Clarkson. The food was either K rations or C rations. C rations came in a can like tuna fish and the K rations came in a small box with ground up meat and other “delicious” food. "They were not home-cooked meals, but when you're hungry, you eat what's in the can. We boarded a truck near Damortis, leaving all of our personal property in a tent until we came back from the front line. All we had was military issue, ammunition, food, and weapons. We were taken to Agoo, where the fighting began again. There were flat lands and mountains, some were 3,000 feet, some were 4,980 feet. We fought our way to Baguio. Japanese General Yamashita headed the Japanese against us. The roads were bad with bad terrain as we moved forward. The fighting was fierce, many died, both Japanese and American. Near Lingayen Gulf, the battle line erxtended about 20 miles from Agoo, thru Tubao, Galiano, to Mt. Bilbil. Many times our men were forced off the hills because the Japanese had machine guns, artillery, mortars and rifleman who could kill as you advanced. The sun was hot, the action was very tough and yet, we found that after our lengthy battle in April through May, we had been successful and drove off the tough Japanese enemy.”
Fred left the South Pacific battlefield in November 1945 and was discharged. Returning to civilian life, he married Eleanor and has been married for an amazing 63 years. Eleanor and Fred had two children, Peter who lives with Fred on Charles Avenue in Red Wing and one daughter Joanne Hahn, who lives near Denver, Colorado.
Fred visits Eleanor every day at St. Brigid's at Hi Park. Both Eleanor and Fred have health issues, but Fred says, “We live every day, and are thankful for that day”.
Fred held various jobs through life including the Red Wing Locker, Munson Dray Line, and Coca Cola Bottling, but retired in 1982 from S. B. Foot Tannery after 16 years.
Greatest Generation .. Red Wing ... you bet. All Americans are proud of our WWII heroes and all of Red Wing is proud of Fred Hahn and the many veterans like him.