Frederick Hoormann
Frederick Rudolph Henry “Fritz” Hoormann was born 29-NOV 1915 in Florissant Missouri. His parents were John Rudolf Hoormann (1884–1964) and Adelheid Bernadina Willen Hoormann (1894–1988). He had four brothers: August, Albert, Edward, Edwin and five sisters: Catherine, Eleanor, Elizabeth, Marie, and Norma Jean. In 1920, Fred lived with his parents in Florissant Missouri on Robbins Mill Road. By 1940, according to the Federal Census, the family was living on Missouri Highway 140. Fred was 24 years old and his occupation was listed as cableman for an electric utility.
Frederick served with the 20th Infantry, 6th Division. His service number was 37057880. The 6th Infantry Division in World War II was made up of the 1st Infantry Regiment, 20th Infantry Regiment, and 63rd Infantry Regiment. The division was nicknamed “Sightseers.” Fred attained the rank of Staff Sergeant.
The division moved to Hawaii in July/August 1943 to assume defensive positions on Oahu and preparatory training in jungle warfare. It moved to Milne Bay, New Guinea, 31-Jan 1944, and trained until early June 1944. The division first saw combat in the Toem-Wakde area of Dutch New Guinea, engaging in active patrolling 14–18 June, after taking up positions 6–14 June. In late June, Frederick was wounded in action.
After a brief rest, the division made an assault landing at Sansapor, 30 July, on the Vogelkop Peninsula. The 6th secured the coast from Cape Waimak to the Mega River and garrisoned the area until December 1944. Soon the division would land on Luzon to help liberate the Philippines. As the fighting neared Manila, it became very intense.
It is most likely during this action on 17-Mar 1945, fighting on the Shimbu Line near Manila that Frederick Hoormann was Killed in Action, died of his wounds. The commanding general of the division Major General Edwin D. Patrick was killed in the same area.
The division would see over 300 days of combat in the Pacific the last of which was near Manilla at the Simbu Line.
Frederick Hoormann was awarded a Silver Star for his actions in combat. Headquarters, 6th Infantry Division, General Orders No. 72 (1945). Fred R. Hoormann, United States Army, is reported to have been awarded the Silver Star under the below-listed General Orders for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action against the enemy while serving with the 6th Infantry Division during World War II. The Silver Star is the third-highest military combat decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Armed Forces.
For more of our heroes story, click on the pdf below.
