Fred Hargesheimer
Encyclopedia
Captain Fred Hargesheimer (May 7, 1916 December 23, 2010) was a former pilot of the USAAF who was shot down over Papua New Guinea
in June 1943. He later became a philanthropist who helped out the village which had hidden him from the Japanese.
. He earned a BS in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State College in 1940 before moving to Alpine, New Jersey
to work for FM radio pioneer Edwin H. Armstrong.
, Papua New Guinea
, when his plane was attacked by a Japanese Ki-45 Nick
fighter. Despite his injuries and jammed canopy, he was able to parachute to safety. For the next month he fought to survive in the jungle. He was found by members of the Nakanai tribe after 31 days. They sheltered him for five months in the village of Ea Ea risking their lives to protect him from being found by Japanese soldiers. He met up with Australian Coastwatchers
who moved him inland. On February 5, 1944, Fred, along with other downed airmen, was rescued by the USS Gato
. He was awarded the Purple Heart
, the Silver Star
, the Distinguished Flying Cross
, the Air Medal
, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
. After the war, he returned to his hometown of Rochester, Minnesota
, where he raised a family of his own.
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
in June 1943. He later became a philanthropist who helped out the village which had hidden him from the Japanese.
Early life
Hargesheimer was born and raised in Rochester, MinnesotaRochester, Minnesota
Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
. He earned a BS in Electrical Engineering from Iowa State College in 1940 before moving to Alpine, New Jersey
Alpine, New Jersey
Alpine is a borough in Bergen County, New Jersey, United States. It is a suburb of New York City, located northwest of Midtown Manhattan. As of the 2010 United States Census, the borough population was 1,849....
to work for FM radio pioneer Edwin H. Armstrong.
World War II
Hargesheimer served with the 8th Photographic Reconnaissance Squadron of the U.S. Army Air Corps during World War II. He was flying a Lockheed P-38 F-4 on a photo reconnaissance mission on June 5, 1943, over the island of New BritainNew Britain
New Britain, or Niu Briten, is the largest island in the Bismarck Archipelago of Papua New Guinea. It is separated from the island of New Guinea by the Dampier and Vitiaz Straits and from New Ireland by St. George's Channel...
, Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea
Papua New Guinea , officially the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, is a country in Oceania, occupying the eastern half of the island of New Guinea and numerous offshore islands...
, when his plane was attacked by a Japanese Ki-45 Nick
Kawasaki Ki-45
The Kawasaki Ki-45 Toryu was a two-seat, twin-engine fighter used by the Imperial Japanese Army in World War II. The army gave it the designation "Type 2 Two-Seat Fighter"; the Allied reporting name was "Nick"....
fighter. Despite his injuries and jammed canopy, he was able to parachute to safety. For the next month he fought to survive in the jungle. He was found by members of the Nakanai tribe after 31 days. They sheltered him for five months in the village of Ea Ea risking their lives to protect him from being found by Japanese soldiers. He met up with Australian Coastwatchers
Coastwatchers
The Coastwatchers, also known as the Coast Watch Organisation, Combined Field Intelligence Service or Section C, Allied Intelligence Bureau, were Allied military intelligence operatives stationed on remote Pacific islands during World War II to observe enemy movements and rescue stranded Allied...
who moved him inland. On February 5, 1944, Fred, along with other downed airmen, was rescued by the USS Gato
USS Gato (SS-212)
USS Gato was the lead ship of her class of submarine in the United States Navy. She was the first Navy ship named for the gato, a species of small catshark found in waters along the west coast of Mexico....
. He was awarded the Purple Heart
Purple Heart
The Purple Heart is a United States military decoration awarded in the name of the President to those who have been wounded or killed while serving on or after April 5, 1917 with the U.S. military. The National Purple Heart Hall of Honor is located in New Windsor, New York...
, the Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
, the Distinguished Flying Cross
Distinguished Flying Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Flying Cross is a medal awarded to any officer or enlisted member of the United States armed forces who distinguishes himself or herself in support of operations by "heroism or extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight, subsequent to November 11, 1918." The...
, the Air Medal
Air Medal
The Air Medal is a military decoration of the United States. The award was created in 1942, and is awarded for meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.-Criteria:...
, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal
The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal is a service decoration of the Second World War which was awarded to any member of the United States military who served in the Pacific Theater from 1941 to 1945 and was created on November 6, 1942 by issued by President Franklin D. Roosevelt. The medal was...
. After the war, he returned to his hometown of Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester, Minnesota
Rochester is a city in the U.S. state of Minnesota and is the county seat of Olmsted County. Located on both banks of the Zumbro River, The city has a population of 106,769 according to the 2010 United States Census, making it Minnesota's third-largest city and the largest outside of the...
, where he raised a family of his own.