Memorial

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Sgt Walter J. Fryer enlisted in Altoona, Pennsylvania on 16 May 1942.
"To Mrs. Rebecca (Steele) Fryer of 304 North Twelfth street, Bellwood, came word late last week that her husband, Sgt. Walter J. Fryer, aged 27, father of their 2-year-old daughter, Linda Florence, was killed in action in Germany April 13. Sgt. Fryer, a native of Coburn, Centre County, entered the service in May, 1942. He trained at Fort George G. Meade, Md., Camp Young, Calif., Camp Polk, La., and Camp Picket, Va. He went overseas in October 1943, training in England until D-Day when he entered Europe with the 741st tank battalion which won a presidential citation. He was born in Coburn and both of his parents are deceased. He and the former Miss Rebecca Steele were married in December of 1941. before induction, Sgt. Fryer was employed by the Sheffield Dairy company at Coburn."
Excerpt from the book "The Story of Vitamin Charley":
"We called these night excursions "Spearheads", and it was one of them that Lt Dew's tank was hit. We were ambushed perfectly by the Krauts, and it was a bazooka, not anti-aircraft, that knocked out the tank. The direct hit on Lt Dew's tank not only killed a number of doughs, but also his driver, Sgt Fryer. Although mortally wounded, Fryer managed to drive the tank off the road and into what cover was available. The three remaining tanks supported the infantry in their attack on the town, whose name escapes us now. Things were really hot there for awhile. Eventually we got into the place, and after darkness the infantry went up to take the guns that were holding us up. Meanwhile the rest of the company took cover in the next time, and sweated out a severe barrage from the guns until they were captured and put out of action. We finally were able to push on. It was again a new town each day or night. We reached Bad Lauchstadt on April 13th, and helped liberate about 6,000 Italian and French prisoners."