Fred Rutz

Personal Information

Birthplace: Elmo, Kansas

Service Information

Branch of Service: Army

Unit: 587th Signal Depot Company

Theater of Operation: European

Enlisted / Commissioned: Jun 12, 1944

Discharged: Jan 31, 1946

Highest Rank: Sergeant

Military Honors: Euro/African Middle Eastern Medal, the Asian Pacific Campaign Medal, a Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

Honored By: Daughter, Myrna Rutz Spicer

Biography

Fred U. Rutz enlisted in the U.S. Army at the age of 32 and was considered nearly too old for active duty. After basic training at Camp Robinson, Arkansas, he was sent to Toul and Marseilles, France, as an installer/repairman for military communications. Six months later, he was transferred by troop ship to Luzon, Philippines. The trip took 21 days, 20 of which Sgt. Rutz spent vomiting from seasickness.

While in Luzon, he helped liberate his brother, Lt. Clarence Rutz from the Japanese Rokuroshi prison camp. During his tour of duty, Sgt. Rutz earned the Euro/African Middle Eastern Medal, the Asian Pacific Campaign Medal, a Good Conduct Medal and the World War II Victory Medal.

After honorable discharge, he returned briefly to his home state of Kansas, moving his family shortly thereafter to Phoenix, Arizona, where they remained the rest of his life.