Andrew is the fourth child of Leonard and Harriet Fehringer.  Andrew enlisted into the US Army 11-07-1990 and was honorably discharged 01-25-1995.  He was a Personal Administrative Clerk assigned to the HHC 1-159th Aviation Battalion, under the 18th Aviation Brigade in Ft. Bragg, North Carolina. 

Amanda Leigh (Fehringer) Lampley Is the first granddaughter of Leonard and Harriet Fehringer, and daughter of Andrew and Wendy Fehringer.  Amanda enlisted into the US Navy 07-14-2009 and is currently in the inactive reserves. She was an Aerographers Mate and stationed in Norfolk, Virginia.  Amanda reached the rank of Second Class Petty Officer (E-5).

Logan McKenzie Fehringer is the first grandson of Leonard and Harriet Fehringer, and son of Andrew and Wendy Fehringer.  Logan enlisted into the US Navy 06-21-2011.  He is a Sonar Technician for surface shiips and is currently stationed in Oak Harbor, Washington.  Logan's current rank is Second Class Petty Officer (E-5).

Vern was born May 8, 1950 to Harry and Bertha (Fehringer) Ramaekers.  He graduated from Humphrey St. Frances High School in 1968.  He served in the U.S. Army from July 1969-April 1971. 

His tour of duty took Vern to Ft. Lewis in Washington and Ft. Leonardwood in Missouri with a one year tour of duty in Cam Ran Bay, Vietnam. 

Vern is married to Barb.  He has two children, two step-children, and nine wonderful grandchildren.  Vern and Barb live in Columbus, Nebraska.  Vern is employed with Hy-Vee.

I am the son of Steven F. Fehringer and Rhonda Paul. I have a twin sister Amanda A. Fehringer (Streetman) and an older brother Eric T. Fehringer. I am in the Navy stationed in San Diego, CA stationed aboard the U.S.S. Harper Ferry (LSD 49) as a CS3 (Culinary Specialist 3rd Class). I proudly follow in my Father's footsteps as a Navy man and also in his shadow as a cook.

Fredrick George Fehringer, the second oldest of eleven children born to Ted and Isabel Fehringer of Lindsay, Nebraska served in the United States Army as a Military Policeman at Arlington, Virginia in 1961 and 1962.    In 1965 he married Verleen Preister and they moved to Newman Grove, Nebraska where they still live and farm.  They are the parents of four children Christie, Becky, Brian and Chad who are all married. They have thirteen grandchildren and seven great-grandchildren as of 2015.

Eugene A. Ramaekers was born May 9th, 1941 to Harry and Bertha (Fehringer) Ramaekers.  He is the oldest of four children.  He attended Sacred Heart grade school in Cornlea, NE and graduated in 1959 from St. Francis High School in Humphrey, NE.  He served in the U.S. Army from December 9th, 1960 to September 20th, 1962 obtaining E2 rank.  He served in with the Co. C 7th Engineer Battalion at Fort Devens, MA.  On May 15th, 1965 he was united in marriage to Lavonne Classen at St. Francis Church in Humphrey, NE.  They are the parents of seven children.  Eugene passed away on March 19th, 2007 at the age of 65.

Paul F. Ramaekers was the third of four children born to Harry and Bertha (Fehringer) Ramaekers on May 7th, 1946.  He grew up on the family farm one mile southwest of Cornlea, NE.  Educated at Sacred Heart School in Cornlea and graduated from Humphrey Saint Francis High School in Humphrey, NE.  He entered the U.S. Army in December of 1965.  Boot Camp at Fort Lenardwood, MO.  AIT at Fort Eustis, VA, Marine Engineering School.  Served one tour of duty in Qui Nhon South Veitnam with the 1098th Trans. Det.  Discharged from the military November 23rd, 1967.  United in marriage to Bonnie Stenger on June 21st, 1969.  He farms in the Cornlea, NE area.  Parents of 9 children.  Currently living in Humphrey, NE.  In 2013 he was appointed Chaplain of American Legion Post 80, Humphrey, NE.  Lifetime member VFW Post 10035 Newman Grove, NE.

Adam, great-great grandson of George and Katie (Bernard and Anna, Frank and Faye, Lloyd), was born March 3, 1983. He attended Peetz and Sterling schools, graduating from Sterling High School in May 2001. On December 13, 2000, Adam signed with the U.S. Navy through the delayed entry program and on September 4, 2001, one week before the 9-11 terror attacks on the World Trade Center in NY and the Pentagon in Washington DC, the Navy recruiter picked up Adam from his home in Sterling and his journey began. 

     Adam enlisted as an Electronics Technician (Nuclear) and reported to Recruit Training Command at Great Lakes IL, September 5, 2001 until November 2001 as a Seaman Recruit. Promoted to Seaman, Adam entered Electronics Technician Nuclear Field A School at Naval Nuclear Power Training Command (NNPTC) Goose Creek, SC from November 2001 to May 2002 where he was awarded as Honorman of class 0207T. Promoted to Petty Officer 3rd Class, Adam was assigned to Naval Nuclear Power School at NNPTC from May 2002 to November 2002 where he was awarded as Electronics Technician Honorman of class 0205. Leaving Goose Creek, he was assigned as a student and qualified as Reactor Operator on the S8G plant at Nuclear Power Training Unit in Ballston Spa, NY until May 2003.

       In July 2003, Adam reported to United States Naval Academy (USNA) in Annapolis, MD, as a Midshipman. On May 25, 2007, Adam graduated from USNA with a B.S. in Physics and was promoted to Ensign. On May 26, 2007, he married Christina Lea Childers on the grounds of USNA in the beautiful Academy Chapel.

        As an officer, Adam was assigned again to Naval Nuclear Power School at NNPTC, Goose Creek, SC from August 2007 to May 2008. Adam then returned to the S8G plant at Nuclear Power Training Unit in Ballston Spa, NY, assigned as a student and qualified as Engineering Officer of the Watch from May to November 2008. Adam was then assigned to Submarine Officer Basic Course at Submarine Base, Groton, CT from November 2008 to February 2009.

     In March 2009, Adam was assigned to the USS WEST VIRGINIA (SSBN-736) stationed in Kings Bay, GA. Gaining the rank of Lieutenant Junior Grade in May of 2009, Adam served on the USS WEST VIRGINIA until August 2011. Assignments included Main Propulsion Assistant and Chemical and Radiological Controls Assistant. In May 2011, Adam was promoted to Lieutenant. From August 2011 to November 2012, Adam reported to Norfolk, VA where he was assigned to AMPHIBIOUS SQUADRON FOUR (CPR-4). While in Norfolk, Adam served as Anti-Submarine Warfare Officer and Assistant Materials Officer. On April 5, 2012, Adam and Chrissy welcomed their first child, Olivia Lea, into their life and the world.

     In November 2012, the Fehringers relocated again when Adam reported to Blacksburg, VA as an Assistant Professor of Naval Science and the Delta Company Advisor. This assignment at Naval Reserve Officer Training Corps Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University continued until July 2014 when Adam was assigned to the Uniformed Services University of Health Sciences (USUHS) F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine as a Medical Student where he presently serves, anticipating graduation in the class of 2018. USUHS is located in Bethesda, MD.

      Adams service awards include the Navy and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (2), Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (3), National Defense Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, and various unit awards.

I was born as the youngest son of Ted and Isabel Fehringer. I was born in 1960 and grew up in Lindsay, NE on my Dads farm. At 18 I went into the Navy and after boot camp in San Diego, CA I went to "A" School in Memphis, TN to be an Aircraft Mechanic. I then got stationed in Coronado, CA to go through further training as a Helicopter Technician. I then was stationed at the traing school I just went through as an Instructor. And remained there my entire tour of duty. I live in Broken Arrow, OK and am married to D'Ann Fehringer, and have a blended family of 5 kids, 4 grandkids and many more to come. My son Adam is also in the Navy now as a CS "Culinary Specailist" and he is in San Deigo aboard the USS Harpers Ferry . I work at L-3 / AMI as a Mechanical Designer in Broken Arrow. My wife D'Ann works at Rich & Cartmill as a Life & Health Insurance Customer Service Rep.

Kevin Francis Fehringer, the youngest of four children of Donald and Carolyn Fehringer of Peetz was born October 12, 1963 in Sidney, Ne. Kevin grew up on the farm and attended local schools. He attended Colorado State University majoring in entomology. He married Tamily Jean Hoeppner  in 1986. They both join the National Guard in 1984. Kevin was a captain in the Colorado National Guard and served as a Faciliter Office with the Guard. He served in Operation Desert Storm as a military police officer. He returned from Saudi Arabia in 1991. Tami was a personnel sergeant with the National Guard.  The family now lives in Aurora, CO.

Paul Walter Fehringer was the eighth child of Victor William and Barbara Fehringer, born in 1943 in Sterling, CO. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Peetz High School in 1961. He was in the U.S. Army from 1965 to 1966, serving in Korea.  He trained at Fort Leonard Wood and at Fort Rucker, Alabama he completed Aircraft Maintenance Aviation Certification. During active duty, he attained the rank of Crew Chief with the 55th Aviation Company at the K-16 base. As an active member of the UH-1B flight team, he was also responsible for upkeep and mechanics of the helicopter. He married Peggy Anne (Benzel) Simmerman in 1975 and resided in Peetz on the family farm.

Honors earned include:

AIR MEDAL FOR HEROISM, authorized by The President of the United States Executive Order, 11 May 1942.  SPECIALIST FOUR PAUL W FEHRINGER, UNITED STATES ARMY for heroism while participating in aerial flight:

Specialist Four Paul W. Fehringer, is cited for heroism on 26 July 1966 that was in the highest tradition of the U.S. Army. On this date, Specialist Fehringer was acting as a crew chief on a UH-1B helicopter conducting flood rescue operations in the inundated Han River Valley east of Seol, Korea.  The crew's first rescue operation involved evacuating approximately 170 persons stranded on the rapidly disappearing high ground of a Korean village. The helicopter landed in a backyard of one of the village homes, in the only remaining dry area which measured about 50 square feet. Immediately following the helicopter's landing the flood victims began pushing shoving and fighting, all seeking to board the ship. Responding immediately to the explosiveness of the situation, Specialist Fehringer jumped out into the midst of the mob and by using sign language, and a limited amount of Korean, he attempted to gain control. Pulling an English speaking Korean to his side he shouted orders that were translated and brought the crowd under his control. He then began to systematically load women and children into the helicopter. During the two mile flight to the off loading area, Specialist Fehringer spent his time reassuring frightened mothers and children and maintaining control. Ten flights were required to evacuate this group of people. On another occasion it was necessary to hover over a house to get to the people stranded within the building. While the helicopter was hovering, Specialist Fehringer climbed down the skid to the roof of the house went inside to help them. Specialist Fehringer's actions throughout the rescue operations brought great credit on himself and all men wearing the uniform of the United States Army.

 

Cecil Allen Foster Curtis was born on June 16, 1962 in Hobbs, NM. He married Anna Mae Fehringer, the fifth oldest child to Victor and Barbara Ann Fehringer, in Peetz, CO in June of 1962.  He joined the U.S. Air Force and served for 22 years, 1953 to 1975, in Morocco, Alaska, Brazil, American Samoa, Germany, and the United States.  The family lived in various places during his career, settling in Peetz, Colorado for their lifelong home.

Robert John Fehringer, the third oldest of Victor and Barbara Ann Fehringer was born in 1935 in Peetz, CO. He grew up on the family farm and completed local schools. He was in the U.S. Army from 1957 to 1959. He married Rita Gerk in 1965 in Iliff, CO. Robert and Rita lived in Peetz, CO where Robert was a longtime employee of the Egging Company and was well know for his ability to fix or build just about anything!

Linus Joseph Fehringer, the second oldest child of William Victor and Barbara Ann Fehringer, was born in 1933 in Peetz, CO. He grew up on the family farm and completed local schools. He spent eight years in the Armed Forces, both active and reserves, from 1953 to 1961. He assisted his father with farming until 1962. He married Dorothy Gerk from Sterling in 1967. They moved to Denver and raised their family there.

Edward Victor Fehringer, the eighth child of Leo Frank and Angela Fehringer was born in 1936 in Sterling, CO. He grew up on the family farm, graduating from Peetz High School in 1954. He was in the U.S. Army from 1958 - 1960. He married Joan Annen in 1960 in Aberdeen, Idaho, divorced, and later remarried DaVonne Wall in 1986 in American Falls, Idaho.

Gerald Martin Fehringer, the 7th child of Leo Frank and Angela Fehringer, was born in 1934 in Peetz, CO. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from Peetz High School in 1952. He was in the U.S. Army from 1957-1959.  He married Marion Degenhart in 1960 in Sterling, CO, and moved to their farm in Aberdeen, Idaho.

Walter Bernard Schumacher was born in 1928 in Petersburg, NE, moved and was raised in Peetz, CO and married in 1953 to Marcella Marie Fehringer, the sixth child to Leo Frank and Angela Fehringer. He completed the 11th grade at Peetz High School and joined the U.S. Army artillery in 1950. He served in the Korean War and saw action in Korea and Japan. He was discharged in Oct 1952.

Mark Joseph Fehringer, the fifth child to Leo Frank and Angela Fehringer, was born in 1931 in Peetz, CO and grew up on the family farm there. He married Virginia Johnson in 1955 in Peetz, CO.  Mark served two years, 1952 and 1953, during the Korean war in Germany.  After returning from the service, he farmed in Nebraska in 1954.  In 1955 he and his wife move to Idaho. They farmed in Aberdeen eleven years then moved to American Falls and farmed until he retired.  Mark and Virginia have six children.  Mark received an award this year for 60 years of being a Legion member.

Arnold Bernard Fehringer, the 2nd oldest of the ten children of Leo Frank and Angela Fehringer was born in 1926 in Peetz, Colorado.  He grew up on the family farm and married Genevieve Mary Weiser in 1948 of Humphrey, NE.

Norbert Victor Fehringer, the third child to Joseph George and Agnes Fehringer was born in Peetz on February 3, 1932. He grew up on the family farm and graduated from St. Patrick's Academy in Sidney, NE. In 1954, he joined the U.S. Army Quartermaster Corps, received his basic training at Ft. Ord, California; Quartermaster Training at Fort Lee, Virginia; and was stationed at Camp Koshein, Kobe-Osaka Area in Japan. He was discharged in 1956 and returned to Denver where attended Regis College, earning a bachelors degree in Chemistry. He married Maxine Kelsch in Sterling, Colorado in 1961.

Clarence T. Fehringer, the 4th of the seven children of Joseph George and Agnes Fehringer, was born in 1928 in Peetz, CO. He grew up on the family farm and was educated in the local schools. He was a Sergeant in the U.S. Marines Corps serving from September 1951 - September 1953. He was a telephone line specialist and served in Korea. He married Marianna Wilkins in 1955 in Peetz. They now live in Aberdeen, Idaho.

Walter J Fehringer, the second of seven children of Joseph George and Agnes Fehringer, was born in Peetz, CO. He grew up on the family farm there. He served with the U.S. Army at the end of WWII with the Occupation Force in Japan. He married Patricia Mohatt in 1949 in Sidney, Nebraska.

George Clemens Fehringer, the 8th of thirteen children of John Frank and Clara Fehringer, was born on August 31, 1930 in Peetz, CO. He grew up on the family farm and lived there all of his life, except for the two years he was in the U.S. Marine Corps from Nov 1951 to Nov 1953.  He purchased the family homestead (1917) and married Janice Yeager-Devier in 1972 in Dalton, NE.

Irwin Joseph Fehringer was the fourth child of John Frank and Clara Fehringer. He was born in May of 1922 in Peetz, Co.  He was a Tech 4 in the U.S. Army.

Louis Bernard Fehringer, the third child to John Frank and Clara Fehringer, was born Jan 21, 1921 in Peetz, Colorado.  He grew up on the farm and graduated from Peetz High School. He was in the U.S. Navy from August 1942 - January 1946. He was a radioman first class. He married Sophia Owak in 1946 in Chicago, IL.

Jerome Adolph Fehringer, the second of 13 Children of John Frank and Clara Fehringer was born in September of 1919.  He grew up on the family farm and attended local schools.  After graduation, he spent three years and ten months in the U.S. Marine Corps during WWII.  He married Kathleen Mohatt on September 23, 1948 in Sidney Nebraska.  He continued farming and operated a John Deere Implement business near Chappell, Nebraska.

Henry Aloys Fehringer, the oldest of ten children of Ben and Anna Fehringer was born on March 9, 1923 in Peetz, CO. In September on 1945, he graduated from the Hospital Corps School as a Hospital Apprentice Second Class.

Albert Victor Fehringer was 7th oldest of ten children of Ben and Anna Fehringer, born 30 April 1932 in Peetz.  He grew up there on the family farm, graduating high school in 1951. In 1952 he entered the service and was stationed in Fort Richardson, Alaska, until 1954. He served in the U.S. Army reserve until 1960 attaining the rank of Corporal. He married Dorothy Ellen Ernest on September 14, 1957 in Sidney, Nebraska where they resided for their lives.

Ben was the second oldest of the eleven children of George & Katie Fehringer, born May 14, 1895 in Humphrey, Nebraska. He served two years overseas in the U.S. Army during WWI. Ben left home on September 20, 1917 and went to Columbus, where the first contingent of drafted men from Platte County went to Camp Funston, KS. He remained there until May 22, 1918, when with his company left for Camp Mills, Long Island. He remained there until June 4, 1918, when he made the trip across the ocean on the English ship, The Baltic. On the 15th of June he arrived in Liverpool and from there went to South Hampton, then on across the English Channel to France.

While "over there" Ben was in England, France, Belgium, Luxembourg and Germany. For five months he was in the army Luxembourg and Germany. For five months he was in the army of occupation in Germany. He was in the 355th Infantry and saw 21 months of service.

He took part in two battles, the St. Mihiel drive and the Argonne-Muese offensive. He was in the trenches from the 4th day of August, 1918, until the armistice was signed on November 11th. In the St. Mihiel drive he was slightly wounded. 

Returning home Ben arrived in New York with the 89th on May 22, 1919, and took part in the parades held by the division in Omaha and Lincoln on May 30th. He was discharged at Camp Funston, KS, on June 2nd, and arrived in Humphrey on the third of June. He moved to Peetz to begin farming, and met his wife, Anna Elenz.

History and Roster of the 355th Infantry, 89th Division:
http://cdm.sos.mo.gov/cdm/ref/collection/wwiuh/id/4929

In late 1941, the Selective Service Board was looking for people to fill the thousands of positions and skill sets in all branches of the U.S. military. Japan had made its strike on Pearl Harbor...war had been declared.  The U.S. was going to be sending its warriors all over the world.

George Fehringer was 31 years old, a farmer and a John Deere Implement dealer in Peetz, Colorado.  He was a skilled welder.  He was a recently married man to wife Dorys (Treinen). The draft board required that he submit to a physical exam in August 1942. The result of the physical was that due to previous injuries, he could still perform in a limited capacity.  And...he would need to report to the U.S. Army within two weeks.

Quickly, now, things changed.  He had to sell his business, secure what property he had, and see to his family's well-being for the foreseeable future.  His wife returned to live with her parents...for most of the next three and one-half years.

He would be in a non-deployable status and would be going directly to Camp Miles Standish near Traunton, Massachussets, assigned to the 15th Engineers.  With the assurance that he would not be going overseas, he arranged for his wife and new baby to join him. Things in Massachussets were looking good!


About one month later, the aspect of "Limited Service" was eliminated.  People were either qualified for full, active service or not. George was qualified. His family returned to the Midwest.  He soon deployed, sailing for England within two weeks.

While in England, George received further training with the 3883rd Quartermaster Truck Company. George was a passenger in a military truck that crashed.  George was seriously injured, having broken his back. He had lost feeling in his legs.  Luckily, and with the help of vigilant medical personnel in England, George began to regain his strength. After 90 days, he was back on his feet, becoming more adept and getting his former body back. 

Soon, he was back in the welding shop fixing things. As the repair jobs diminished, George and others were reassigned from a Port unit to the 4260 Quartermaster Truck Company. This unit was seriously involved in the "Red Ball Express."

The Red Ball Express was the key element of moving supplies through all through the European Theater of Operations (ETO). At the end of 1943, this trucking operation began in earnest under the huge logistics umbrella of ADSEC (Advanced Section Communications Zone). They kept soldiers supplied with all the things they needed: fuel, food, medical supplies, ammunition and clothing. At one point, there were 7,000 trucks in the Express. An immediate pool of drivers was available. Many African American soldiers had truck driving experience and made up 60% of the drivers at the start. They operated 24/7 and ran roads made mostly just for them. They carried freight and people both directions. If one broke down, the driver would try fixing it, but if that didn't work, service was only forty miles away. The drivers stopped only if forced to. One big problem happened when the drove at night. Using black-out lights, the speed of the vehicles slowed, but the enemy could not see the convoys moving.

George Fehringer was a driver for several trucks.  His was usually a 5-ton truck and 10-ton trailer. In pictures, it is clear that some of the trucks were armed with .50 caliber machine guns. The drivers were armed as well. George drove in France, mainly carrying supplies to the area of LTG Omar Bradley's First Army. Pictures show George with other soldiers. As the Red Ball Express drivers kept driving and became more fatigued, the number of vehicle accidents increased. Commanders changed the training, tactics and procedures (TTP) so that a second driver was aboard.

George was later based in Antwerp, Belgium, and hauled goods from the significant port there. He was ordered next to 513th Quartermaster Group. The work of delivering supplies continued up to the day of the signing of the Peace in May 1945. Even then, George and his fellow drivers began loading the trailers with human cargo, taking German prisoners of war back to the France-Germany border. In these missions, the trucks just dropped off the POWs at the border. They also hauled displaced persons, needing to return to their homes of origin.

In his service, and after the peace was won, George did obtain a pass to see Paris. This was an escorted trip of a few days. Ultimately, his work was over and he and his fellow soldiers left from LeHarve, France on November 1, 1945 arriving in New York harbor Nov. 11th. They were on the SS Smith. Before being discharge, he was presented the ETO ribbon with four battle stars and the Good Conduct Metal, to name a few.

George returned to the Peetz area where he resumed farming.  Sadly, he was unable to survive pancreatic cancer in the 1970s. A good soldier was called away again.

Thank you for your service, Cpl. Fehringer.

Published December 21, 2011 in the Sidney Sun Telegraph. By reporter Larry Nelson.