IN TEXAS CAMP.
Pvt. Richard O. Freers, who entered the army on Oct. 5, has the following address: Pvt. Richard O. Freers, Co. A., 54th Trg. Bn., 11th Regt., 4th Plat., U.S. Army, Camp Fannin, Tex.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, November 12, 1943
Pfc. R. O. Freers Killed In Action In Pacific Area
Pfc. Richard O. Freers, 19, son of Mrs. Flossie Freers, 1308 Orchard avenue, has been killed in action in the central Pacific theater of operations, according to a telegram received Friday morning by his mother from the War Department.
No date was given for the time of death of Pfc. Freers and relatives here had not heard from him for six weeks, when he was in the Hawaiian islands.
He entered service Sept. 27, 1943, and took his preliminary training at Camp Fannin, Tex. He then went to Fort Ord, Calif., and then was sent overseas the latter part of March of this year.
Pfc. Freers was born in Muscatine on July 3, 1925, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Bud Freers. His father died on July 29, 1933. He was a member of the First Baptist church.
Surviving are his mother and one brother, Edward Freers, of Muscatine.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, August 26, 1944 (photo included)
BATTLE CASUALTIES SADDEN MORE HOMES
PFC. RICHARD O. FREERS—It was in the central Pacific theater of operations that Pfc. Richard O. Freers met death, according to a message received late in August, 1944, by his mother, Mrs. Flossie Freers, 1308 Orchard avenue. He entered service Sept. 27, 1943, and went overseas the latter part of March, 1944.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, Year-End Review Edition, December 28, 1944
140 Have Made Supreme Sacrifice in Muscatine Area In War Against Axis Powers; Many Reported Wounded
The names of those who have made the supreme sacrifice in World War No. 2, compiled from records maintained by The Journal, follow:
Pfc. Richard O. Freers, 19, son of Mrs. Flossie Freers, 1308 Orchard avenue, killed in action the summer of 1944 in the central Pacific area.
Source: Muscatine Journal, Victory in Europe Edition, May 7, 1945
Solemn Procession Continues Through 1948 as War Dead Are Returned Home
Flag-draped caskets, coming from the European and Pacific war theaters, were brought to Muscatine county and other neighboring communities at intervals throughout the year of 1948 as the solemn procession of the country’s war dead continued to move home.
As each casket carrying a soldier, sailor, marine or flier who died during World War II was returned, last honors were accorded to the servicemen at funeral and burial rites. Final interment was in the cemetery chosen by his next-of-kin.
This year was the second for the government’s program of returning the bodies of war dead to the United States for burial in keeping with the wishes of their family. Inaugurated in the fall of 1947, the program has to date seen the return from overseas cemeteries of more than 50 bodies of men from this vicinity who died in the service of their country during the war.
The list of war dead returned to Muscatine and surrounding counties includes the following:
Pfc. Richard O. Freers, son of Mrs. Flossie Coffin, 1308 Orchard avenue, killed in action on Guam on July 30, 1944. Burial at Greenwood cemetery in Muscatine.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, December 30, 1948
