Fremd, August William

August William Fremd Jr

Early Life

August William Fremd was born on July 8, 1895, in Rye, New York, the son of August William Fremd and Anna Fremd. He was raised and educated in Rye, growing up in a family with strong and longstanding ties to the community. His upbringing reflected the character of a town that valued civic involvement and local enterprise, influences that would remain evident throughout his life.

World War I Service

Fremd enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on December 20, 1917, in New York City, among the early volunteers following America’s entry into World War I. He was assigned to the 5th Marine Regiment, one of the most storied combat units of the war, and deployed overseas to France on March 27, 1918 as part of the American Expeditionary Forces.

He served overseas in France from March 27, 1918, to August 13, 1919, participating in some of the most significant engagements involving American forces. These included the Battle of Château-Thierry, where American troops helped halt the German advance toward Paris; the St. Mihiel Offensive, the first major American-led attack that eliminated a key German salient; and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, the largest and most decisive campaign fought by American forces, contributing directly to the end of the war.

For its repeated acts of gallantry in these campaigns, the 5th Marine Regiment was awarded the French Fourragère, a distinction granted by the French government for extraordinary bravery in combat. Fremd’s service with this regiment placed him among those who endured some of the most intense fighting of the war. His record indicates that he sustained no wounds in action, and he was honorably discharged following his return to the United States after extended overseas service.

Life After Service

Following the war, Fremd returned to Rye, where he established a successful local business, operating a flower shop and nursery at 88 Purchase Street and later expanding to Purchase, New York. His work reflected both entrepreneurial initiative and continued connection to the community in which he had been raised.

He remained active in civic and veterans’ life, serving with the Rye Fire Department Fire Police Patrol and as a member of American Legion Post No. 93. In later years, he relocated to Hillsdale, New York.

August William Fremd died on November 11, 1952, at a hospital near his home in Hillsdale, New York.

At the time of his death, he was survived by his wife, Ethel Tilson Fremd; his sister, Mrs. Charles F. Wood of Rye; and his brother, Gerard of Port Chester.