Young Fred Fearing was a resident of Elizabeth City, both fiercely Patriotic and independent. Fred was 14 years old when war broke out overseas.

 Young Fred Fearing was a resident of Elizabeth City, both fiercely Patriotic and independent.  Fred was 14 years old when war broke out overseas. 

 He quickly visited his nearest recruiting station and signed the papers to go-lying about his age saying he was 17, however he would need his parents signature.  Reluctantly, his mother signed, what she knew to be, her Sons life away and off Fred went.  

This small town boy somehow ended up on the mid-lines on the beaches of Normandy-his Commanding Officer told him, prior to exiting the boat, “Run Fred-run as fast as you can, don’t look around, don’t stop-just run until you get to the outcropping on the bank”.   

Fred did just that—he said he had always been praised for his bravery, but there wasn’t an ounce of it there that day.

  He just ran, scared out of his mind—a little boy that so desperately missed his Mother, his baseball mitt and his dog. 

 Days turned into weeks, Fred followed instruction of his Commanding Officers and said he felt like he had not slept in so long-he was a tired boy out of his element. 

 Suddenly, his CO yells for them all to jump in a trench, as shots begin to ring out—Fred stumbles down into a deep, muddy ditch—somewhere so far away from home in the fields of Italy and is greeted by a wonderful sight—the young face of one of his childhood friends; his neighbor from 3 doors down!  With this, he knows everything will be alright.  

They both survive the War and go home to live full and interesting lives. 🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸

(Abbreviated story - Photos are not Fred Fearing, but other very young Soldiers from WWII)