On March 16, 2020, Marine Corps Reserve 1LT Hugh Doran Fricks, 22, killed in World War II, was officially identified. He will soon be returned to his family and laid to rest - in American soil - with full military honors. (DATE: PENDING)
Born January 19, 1921, in Memphis, Tennessee, Hugh was the youngest of three sons blessed to the union of Lunsford Dickson Sr and Grace (nee Beene) Fricks.
Hugh attended Franklin High School before being accepted to the University of Washington. A boxer for the "purple and gold", he graduated with their class of 1938.
Hugh was called to duty in September 1940, enlisting in the United States Marine Corps Reserves and serving as an enlisted man in Iceland. On June 15, 1942, he received his commission at Marine Corps Base San Diego and was soon shipped out into the Pacific Theater to face Japanese Imperial Forces.
While fighting in the Solomon Islands, he was cited for not losing a single man in his command. Following the Battle of Guadalcanal, Hugh and his unit were shipped to New Zealand for R&R and to await orders for their next mission. For Hugh, the majority of that time was spent confined to a local hospital due to malaria. Hugh's leadership in the Guadalcanal campaign was commended and he was offered a permanent commission in the Marine Corps which he planned to accept.
First Lieutenant Fricks was with his brothers in Delta Company, 1st Battalion of the 6th Marines (D-1/6) when they landed on Betio as part of Operation: GALVANIC. The mission of the 2nd Marine Division was to secure the island in order to control the Japanese airstrip in the Tarawa Atoll; thereby preventing the Japanese Imperial forces from getting closer to the United States, and enabling US forces to get closer to mainland Japan. It would become one of the bloodiest battles in the Corps history.
It was November 23, 1943 (D+3 for the "Battle of Tarawa"), when young Hugh - just 22 years old - perished. He was reportedly soon buried in Row D of the East Division Cemetery, later renamed Cemetery 33, on Betio Island - a temporary location chosen by his fellow Marines, the survivors of the battle, until the Fallen could be recovered and returned to their families.
Having a loved one away from home during the holidays is always trying; however, having a son or husband off fighting in the war left the whole family on edge. The fact that this battle took place just before Thanksgiving meant that most of the families, who had unknowingly earned their Gold Star, would receive their heart-wrenching telegrams on Christmas Eve – some Christmas Day or even New Years Day.
For his service and sacrifice, Hugh's family accepted his awards and decorations, including:
- Navy Cross
- Purple Heart
- Combat Action Ribbon
- World War II Victory Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
- Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Medal
- Marine Corp Expeditionary Medal, and
- Gold Star Lapel Button.
---------------------------------
FRICKS, HUGH DORIAN
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)
1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2d Marine Division
Date of Action: November 22, 1943
CITATION:
The Navy Cross is presented to Hugh Dorian Fricks, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism as Machine Gun Reconnaissance Officer, First Battalion, Sixth Marines, Second Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, November 22, 1943. Defying constant danger from enemy machine-gun and mortar fire while advancing with his battalion, First Lieutenant Fricks conducted various reconnaissances, maintained contact between forward rifle elements and went from foxhole to foxhole pointing out targets and directing machine-gun fire.
Tirelessly continuing his perilous task until mortally wounded by an enemy grenade later in the action, he served as an inspiring example to his battalion in delivering a devastating blow to Japanese forces in that sector. His great personal valor, heroic self-sacrifice and brilliant leadership in the face of almost certain death reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Serial 917 (March 24, 1944)
---------------------------------
Left to mourn his passing were Hugh's father and two older brothers. Dr L D Fricks, a retired medical director in the United States Public Health Service and, at the time of Hugh's death, a patient in the Marine Hospital; Major L D Fricks, Jr, Seattle attorney, a Marine who served with the Hugh in the Southwest Pacific, and Patton C Fricks, a former Pan American Airways pilot who was awaiting call to active duty as an ensign in the Naval Reserve.
Despite the heavy casualties suffered by U.S. forces, military success in the battle of Tarawa was a huge victory for the U.S. military because the Gilbert Islands provided the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet a platform from which to launch assaults on the Marshall and Caroline Islands to advance their Central Pacific Campaign against Japan.
In the immediate aftermath of the fighting on Tarawa, U.S. service members who died in the battle were buried in a number of battlefield cemeteries on the island. In 1946 and 1947, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company conducted remains recovery operations on Betio, but 1LT Fricks' remains were not recovered. On September 30, 1949, a military review board declared Hugh "non-recoverable".
On August 13, 2013, Jennifer Morrison, an independent volunteer forensic genealogist, found the family of 1LT Fricks and put them in contact with the Marine Corps POW/MIA Section. This (re)established lines of communication with Hugh's family regarding the ongoing recovery and repatriation efforts, and offered his niece and nephew the opportunity to provide a Family Reference DNA Sample, should it be necessary for his identification.
On March 16, 2020, the DPAA identified Hugh's remains, and his family received "The Call" from the Marine Corps POW/MIA Section with the good news.
Hugh will soon be returned to his family and laid to rest - in American soil - with full military honors.
Marine Corps Reserve First Lieutenant Hugh Doran Fricks is memorialized among the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific's Honolulu Memorial. Although he has now been recovered and identified, 1LT Fricks' name shall remain permanently inscribed within Court 2 of the "Courts of the Missing". A rosette will be placed next to his name to verify that Hugh has finally been found (56130786).
SOURCE
DPAA Personnel Profile
Marine Corps POW/MIA Section
DPAA Release No: 20-054 (April 27, 2020)
American Battle Monuments Commission
Jennifer Morrison, independent volunteer forensic genealogist
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Note from the memorial maintainer:
I am grateful to Chuck Williams & Hattie Johnson (USMC POW/MIA Section) and the DPAA for their efforts in bringing my Marine home. "It takes a village!"
Born January 19, 1921, in Memphis, Tennessee, Hugh was the youngest of three sons blessed to the union of Lunsford Dickson Sr and Grace (nee Beene) Fricks.
Hugh attended Franklin High School before being accepted to the University of Washington. A boxer for the "purple and gold", he graduated with their class of 1938.
Hugh was called to duty in September 1940, enlisting in the United States Marine Corps Reserves and serving as an enlisted man in Iceland. On June 15, 1942, he received his commission at Marine Corps Base San Diego and was soon shipped out into the Pacific Theater to face Japanese Imperial Forces.
While fighting in the Solomon Islands, he was cited for not losing a single man in his command. Following the Battle of Guadalcanal, Hugh and his unit were shipped to New Zealand for R&R and to await orders for their next mission. For Hugh, the majority of that time was spent confined to a local hospital due to malaria. Hugh's leadership in the Guadalcanal campaign was commended and he was offered a permanent commission in the Marine Corps which he planned to accept.
First Lieutenant Fricks was with his brothers in Delta Company, 1st Battalion of the 6th Marines (D-1/6) when they landed on Betio as part of Operation: GALVANIC. The mission of the 2nd Marine Division was to secure the island in order to control the Japanese airstrip in the Tarawa Atoll; thereby preventing the Japanese Imperial forces from getting closer to the United States, and enabling US forces to get closer to mainland Japan. It would become one of the bloodiest battles in the Corps history.
It was November 23, 1943 (D+3 for the "Battle of Tarawa"), when young Hugh - just 22 years old - perished. He was reportedly soon buried in Row D of the East Division Cemetery, later renamed Cemetery 33, on Betio Island - a temporary location chosen by his fellow Marines, the survivors of the battle, until the Fallen could be recovered and returned to their families.
Having a loved one away from home during the holidays is always trying; however, having a son or husband off fighting in the war left the whole family on edge. The fact that this battle took place just before Thanksgiving meant that most of the families, who had unknowingly earned their Gold Star, would receive their heart-wrenching telegrams on Christmas Eve – some Christmas Day or even New Years Day.
For his service and sacrifice, Hugh's family accepted his awards and decorations, including:
- Navy Cross
- Purple Heart
- Combat Action Ribbon
- World War II Victory Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
- Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Medal
- Marine Corp Expeditionary Medal, and
- Gold Star Lapel Button.
---------------------------------
FRICKS, HUGH DORIAN
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)
1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2d Marine Division
Date of Action: November 22, 1943
CITATION:
The Navy Cross is presented to Hugh Dorian Fricks, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism as Machine Gun Reconnaissance Officer, First Battalion, Sixth Marines, Second Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, November 22, 1943. Defying constant danger from enemy machine-gun and mortar fire while advancing with his battalion, First Lieutenant Fricks conducted various reconnaissances, maintained contact between forward rifle elements and went from foxhole to foxhole pointing out targets and directing machine-gun fire.
Tirelessly continuing his perilous task until mortally wounded by an enemy grenade later in the action, he served as an inspiring example to his battalion in delivering a devastating blow to Japanese forces in that sector. His great personal valor, heroic self-sacrifice and brilliant leadership in the face of almost certain death reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Serial 917 (March 24, 1944)
---------------------------------
Left to mourn his passing were Hugh's father and two older brothers. Dr L D Fricks, a retired medical director in the United States Public Health Service and, at the time of Hugh's death, a patient in the Marine Hospital; Major L D Fricks, Jr, Seattle attorney, a Marine who served with the Hugh in the Southwest Pacific, and Patton C Fricks, a former Pan American Airways pilot who was awaiting call to active duty as an ensign in the Naval Reserve.
Despite the heavy casualties suffered by U.S. forces, military success in the battle of Tarawa was a huge victory for the U.S. military because the Gilbert Islands provided the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet a platform from which to launch assaults on the Marshall and Caroline Islands to advance their Central Pacific Campaign against Japan.
In the immediate aftermath of the fighting on Tarawa, U.S. service members who died in the battle were buried in a number of battlefield cemeteries on the island. In 1946 and 1947, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company conducted remains recovery operations on Betio, but 1LT Fricks' remains were not recovered. On September 30, 1949, a military review board declared Hugh "non-recoverable".
On August 13, 2013, Jennifer Morrison, an independent volunteer forensic genealogist, found the family of 1LT Fricks and put them in contact with the Marine Corps POW/MIA Section. This (re)established lines of communication with Hugh's family regarding the ongoing recovery and repatriation efforts, and offered his niece and nephew the opportunity to provide a Family Reference DNA Sample, should it be necessary for his identification.
On March 16, 2020, the DPAA identified Hugh's remains, and his family received "The Call" from the Marine Corps POW/MIA Section with the good news.
Hugh will soon be returned to his family and laid to rest - in American soil - with full military honors.
Marine Corps Reserve First Lieutenant Hugh Doran Fricks is memorialized among the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific's Honolulu Memorial. Although he has now been recovered and identified, 1LT Fricks' name shall remain permanently inscribed within Court 2 of the "Courts of the Missing". A rosette will be placed next to his name to verify that Hugh has finally been found (56130786).
SOURCE
DPAA Personnel Profile
Marine Corps POW/MIA Section
DPAA Release No: 20-054 (April 27, 2020)
American Battle Monuments Commission
Jennifer Morrison, independent volunteer forensic genealogist
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Note from the memorial maintainer:
I am grateful to Chuck Williams & Hattie Johnson (USMC POW/MIA Section) and the DPAA for their efforts in bringing my Marine home. "It takes a village!"
On March 16, 2020, Marine Corps Reserve 1LT Hugh Doran Fricks, 22, killed in World War II, was officially identified. He will soon be returned to his family and laid to rest - in American soil - with full military honors. (DATE: PENDING)
Born January 19, 1921, in Memphis, Tennessee, Hugh was the youngest of three sons blessed to the union of Lunsford Dickson Sr and Grace (nee Beene) Fricks.
Hugh attended Franklin High School before being accepted to the University of Washington. A boxer for the "purple and gold", he graduated with their class of 1938.
Hugh was called to duty in September 1940, enlisting in the United States Marine Corps Reserves and serving as an enlisted man in Iceland. On June 15, 1942, he received his commission at Marine Corps Base San Diego and was soon shipped out into the Pacific Theater to face Japanese Imperial Forces.
While fighting in the Solomon Islands, he was cited for not losing a single man in his command. Following the Battle of Guadalcanal, Hugh and his unit were shipped to New Zealand for R&R and to await orders for their next mission. For Hugh, the majority of that time was spent confined to a local hospital due to malaria. Hugh's leadership in the Guadalcanal campaign was commended and he was offered a permanent commission in the Marine Corps which he planned to accept.
First Lieutenant Fricks was with his brothers in Delta Company, 1st Battalion of the 6th Marines (D-1/6) when they landed on Betio as part of Operation: GALVANIC. The mission of the 2nd Marine Division was to secure the island in order to control the Japanese airstrip in the Tarawa Atoll; thereby preventing the Japanese Imperial forces from getting closer to the United States, and enabling US forces to get closer to mainland Japan. It would become one of the bloodiest battles in the Corps history.
It was November 23, 1943 (D+3 for the "Battle of Tarawa"), when young Hugh - just 22 years old - perished. He was reportedly soon buried in Row D of the East Division Cemetery, later renamed Cemetery 33, on Betio Island - a temporary location chosen by his fellow Marines, the survivors of the battle, until the Fallen could be recovered and returned to their families.
Having a loved one away from home during the holidays is always trying; however, having a son or husband off fighting in the war left the whole family on edge. The fact that this battle took place just before Thanksgiving meant that most of the families, who had unknowingly earned their Gold Star, would receive their heart-wrenching telegrams on Christmas Eve – some Christmas Day or even New Years Day.
For his service and sacrifice, Hugh's family accepted his awards and decorations, including:
- Navy Cross
- Purple Heart
- Combat Action Ribbon
- World War II Victory Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
- Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Medal
- Marine Corp Expeditionary Medal, and
- Gold Star Lapel Button.
---------------------------------
FRICKS, HUGH DORIAN
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)
1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2d Marine Division
Date of Action: November 22, 1943
CITATION:
The Navy Cross is presented to Hugh Dorian Fricks, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism as Machine Gun Reconnaissance Officer, First Battalion, Sixth Marines, Second Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, November 22, 1943. Defying constant danger from enemy machine-gun and mortar fire while advancing with his battalion, First Lieutenant Fricks conducted various reconnaissances, maintained contact between forward rifle elements and went from foxhole to foxhole pointing out targets and directing machine-gun fire.
Tirelessly continuing his perilous task until mortally wounded by an enemy grenade later in the action, he served as an inspiring example to his battalion in delivering a devastating blow to Japanese forces in that sector. His great personal valor, heroic self-sacrifice and brilliant leadership in the face of almost certain death reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Serial 917 (March 24, 1944)
---------------------------------
Left to mourn his passing were Hugh's father and two older brothers. Dr L D Fricks, a retired medical director in the United States Public Health Service and, at the time of Hugh's death, a patient in the Marine Hospital; Major L D Fricks, Jr, Seattle attorney, a Marine who served with the Hugh in the Southwest Pacific, and Patton C Fricks, a former Pan American Airways pilot who was awaiting call to active duty as an ensign in the Naval Reserve.
Despite the heavy casualties suffered by U.S. forces, military success in the battle of Tarawa was a huge victory for the U.S. military because the Gilbert Islands provided the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet a platform from which to launch assaults on the Marshall and Caroline Islands to advance their Central Pacific Campaign against Japan.
In the immediate aftermath of the fighting on Tarawa, U.S. service members who died in the battle were buried in a number of battlefield cemeteries on the island. In 1946 and 1947, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company conducted remains recovery operations on Betio, but 1LT Fricks' remains were not recovered. On September 30, 1949, a military review board declared Hugh "non-recoverable".
On August 13, 2013, Jennifer Morrison, an independent volunteer forensic genealogist, found the family of 1LT Fricks and put them in contact with the Marine Corps POW/MIA Section. This (re)established lines of communication with Hugh's family regarding the ongoing recovery and repatriation efforts, and offered his niece and nephew the opportunity to provide a Family Reference DNA Sample, should it be necessary for his identification.
On March 16, 2020, the DPAA identified Hugh's remains, and his family received "The Call" from the Marine Corps POW/MIA Section with the good news.
Hugh will soon be returned to his family and laid to rest - in American soil - with full military honors.
Marine Corps Reserve First Lieutenant Hugh Doran Fricks is memorialized among the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific's Honolulu Memorial. Although he has now been recovered and identified, 1LT Fricks' name shall remain permanently inscribed within Court 2 of the "Courts of the Missing". A rosette will be placed next to his name to verify that Hugh has finally been found (56130786).
SOURCE
DPAA Personnel Profile
Marine Corps POW/MIA Section
DPAA Release No: 20-054 (April 27, 2020)
American Battle Monuments Commission
Jennifer Morrison, independent volunteer forensic genealogist
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Note from the memorial maintainer:
I am grateful to Chuck Williams & Hattie Johnson (USMC POW/MIA Section) and the DPAA for their efforts in bringing my Marine home. "It takes a village!"
Born January 19, 1921, in Memphis, Tennessee, Hugh was the youngest of three sons blessed to the union of Lunsford Dickson Sr and Grace (nee Beene) Fricks.
Hugh attended Franklin High School before being accepted to the University of Washington. A boxer for the "purple and gold", he graduated with their class of 1938.
Hugh was called to duty in September 1940, enlisting in the United States Marine Corps Reserves and serving as an enlisted man in Iceland. On June 15, 1942, he received his commission at Marine Corps Base San Diego and was soon shipped out into the Pacific Theater to face Japanese Imperial Forces.
While fighting in the Solomon Islands, he was cited for not losing a single man in his command. Following the Battle of Guadalcanal, Hugh and his unit were shipped to New Zealand for R&R and to await orders for their next mission. For Hugh, the majority of that time was spent confined to a local hospital due to malaria. Hugh's leadership in the Guadalcanal campaign was commended and he was offered a permanent commission in the Marine Corps which he planned to accept.
First Lieutenant Fricks was with his brothers in Delta Company, 1st Battalion of the 6th Marines (D-1/6) when they landed on Betio as part of Operation: GALVANIC. The mission of the 2nd Marine Division was to secure the island in order to control the Japanese airstrip in the Tarawa Atoll; thereby preventing the Japanese Imperial forces from getting closer to the United States, and enabling US forces to get closer to mainland Japan. It would become one of the bloodiest battles in the Corps history.
It was November 23, 1943 (D+3 for the "Battle of Tarawa"), when young Hugh - just 22 years old - perished. He was reportedly soon buried in Row D of the East Division Cemetery, later renamed Cemetery 33, on Betio Island - a temporary location chosen by his fellow Marines, the survivors of the battle, until the Fallen could be recovered and returned to their families.
Having a loved one away from home during the holidays is always trying; however, having a son or husband off fighting in the war left the whole family on edge. The fact that this battle took place just before Thanksgiving meant that most of the families, who had unknowingly earned their Gold Star, would receive their heart-wrenching telegrams on Christmas Eve – some Christmas Day or even New Years Day.
For his service and sacrifice, Hugh's family accepted his awards and decorations, including:
- Navy Cross
- Purple Heart
- Combat Action Ribbon
- World War II Victory Medal
- American Campaign Medal
- Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
- Asiatic-Pacific Theater Campaign Medal
- Marine Corp Expeditionary Medal, and
- Gold Star Lapel Button.
---------------------------------
FRICKS, HUGH DORIAN
Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve)
1st Battalion, 6th Marines, 2d Marine Division
Date of Action: November 22, 1943
CITATION:
The Navy Cross is presented to Hugh Dorian Fricks, Second Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (Reserve), for extraordinary heroism as Machine Gun Reconnaissance Officer, First Battalion, Sixth Marines, Second Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Tarawa, Gilbert Islands, November 22, 1943. Defying constant danger from enemy machine-gun and mortar fire while advancing with his battalion, First Lieutenant Fricks conducted various reconnaissances, maintained contact between forward rifle elements and went from foxhole to foxhole pointing out targets and directing machine-gun fire.
Tirelessly continuing his perilous task until mortally wounded by an enemy grenade later in the action, he served as an inspiring example to his battalion in delivering a devastating blow to Japanese forces in that sector. His great personal valor, heroic self-sacrifice and brilliant leadership in the face of almost certain death reflect great credit upon the United States Naval Service. He gallantly gave his life for his country.
Serial 917 (March 24, 1944)
---------------------------------
Left to mourn his passing were Hugh's father and two older brothers. Dr L D Fricks, a retired medical director in the United States Public Health Service and, at the time of Hugh's death, a patient in the Marine Hospital; Major L D Fricks, Jr, Seattle attorney, a Marine who served with the Hugh in the Southwest Pacific, and Patton C Fricks, a former Pan American Airways pilot who was awaiting call to active duty as an ensign in the Naval Reserve.
Despite the heavy casualties suffered by U.S. forces, military success in the battle of Tarawa was a huge victory for the U.S. military because the Gilbert Islands provided the U.S. Navy Pacific Fleet a platform from which to launch assaults on the Marshall and Caroline Islands to advance their Central Pacific Campaign against Japan.
In the immediate aftermath of the fighting on Tarawa, U.S. service members who died in the battle were buried in a number of battlefield cemeteries on the island. In 1946 and 1947, the 604th Quartermaster Graves Registration Company conducted remains recovery operations on Betio, but 1LT Fricks' remains were not recovered. On September 30, 1949, a military review board declared Hugh "non-recoverable".
On August 13, 2013, Jennifer Morrison, an independent volunteer forensic genealogist, found the family of 1LT Fricks and put them in contact with the Marine Corps POW/MIA Section. This (re)established lines of communication with Hugh's family regarding the ongoing recovery and repatriation efforts, and offered his niece and nephew the opportunity to provide a Family Reference DNA Sample, should it be necessary for his identification.
On March 16, 2020, the DPAA identified Hugh's remains, and his family received "The Call" from the Marine Corps POW/MIA Section with the good news.
Hugh will soon be returned to his family and laid to rest - in American soil - with full military honors.
Marine Corps Reserve First Lieutenant Hugh Doran Fricks is memorialized among the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific's Honolulu Memorial. Although he has now been recovered and identified, 1LT Fricks' name shall remain permanently inscribed within Court 2 of the "Courts of the Missing". A rosette will be placed next to his name to verify that Hugh has finally been found (56130786).
SOURCE
DPAA Personnel Profile
Marine Corps POW/MIA Section
DPAA Release No: 20-054 (April 27, 2020)
American Battle Monuments Commission
Jennifer Morrison, independent volunteer forensic genealogist
-----------------------------------------------------------------------
Note from the memorial maintainer:
I am grateful to Chuck Williams & Hattie Johnson (USMC POW/MIA Section) and the DPAA for their efforts in bringing my Marine home. "It takes a village!"
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