Always Remember...
James Carl Frederick
The motivation for this story...
May, 2022. While I was at work, an order printed for Mike Frederick.
The name was familiar to me. We know Mike from high school sports in Tullahoma. His son, Luke was quite a football player. Mike was also a player, and coach. He knows, understands, and loves the game, and he loves those kids. Mike still has his booming "coach voice," and used it from his spot in the bleachers to motivate his son, and other players at home football games. Mike knew what was about to happen. I asked him about this once at a game. He said he could tell by the way the opposing team lined up for a play, or by the way even one player looked around or moved prior to the snap. Then Mike might use his coach voice to alert the players. You could bet your lunch money Mike would be right. I, and a bunch of other people enjoyed, and were amazed by this.
Where I work, everything moves at a slower pace. It sometimes frustrates me, but overall it's a good thing. If you have a story to tell, or are willing to listen to one, this is the right place. We still slow down and talk to one another.
The day Mike came in, he didn't seem to be in a real big hurry, so I asked him about Luke. Then we talked back and forth for a few minutes about our children. With Covid, and the strange things going on in the world, kids, young men especially, have to stay focused, and try to make good choices.
Mike said Luke was finishing up his commitment to the Army, and looking forward to getting married and starting a family. I mentioned that Will had just finished at Motlow, and was deciding what is next, and possibly going into the military. We talked about the boys growing up hunting and fishing, and their skills with firearms.
Lin Rowe introduced Will to deer hunting, at the Frederick farm. Lin took his son, John, and Will out there for the juvenile hunts. Lin, and the boys loved it. They looked forward to it, and spent many hours preparing to go. Then they spent more hours aggravating each other about what did or didn't happen. When Lin passed away, the next deer season began, and Mike said of course Will is welcome out there!
So Will and John still use Luke's deer stand, and his favorite hunting spot. I thanked Mike for this, and told him how much that meant to me, as a dad.
Mike said Luke scored well enough on the rifle range in the Army that he was approached about Sniper training. I remember saying, Wow, and asking Mike more about Luke's Army experience, and why he joined the Army.
At that point, Mike held out his arm to show me a military bracelet. He paused for a moment, then told me a little bit about his father, James Carl Frederick.
I quietly listened. Mike said he was 6 years old when his father, James Carl Frederick, went to Viet Nam. He was a Sergeant First Class, in the Airborne Army infantry. Two months later, on Hill 875, he was killed in battle.
Mike related some of this back to Luke's service, and rifle skills and the possibility of Sniper training.
I tried to remember what I could, and knew I'd look up Hill 875, and James Carl Frederick. Out of respect, and honor for this man, I wanted to learn more. He, and each one of those soldiers, we should always remember.
Mike's story touched me in a deep place. That's where this began for me.
Thank you Mike, for showing me that Army bracelet, and telling me about your dad.
You started me on a course that had good purpose, and set this into motion.
__________________
The Man...
James Carl Frederick was born on July 3, 1941. He died November 19, 1967.
This July 3, We recognize and celebrate his birthday.
James Carl -
We celebrate you and remember you.
Your family has been, and continues to be a blessing to my family, and many other families.
For that, and for your service to our country, Thank You.
Mike sent me the three pictures above...
James Luke Frederick - His Grandson...
Below is a photo of Luke Frederick, who followed his grandfather's path into the Army. He also served in the Airborne, and Ranger programs, just like his grandfather.
There is surely something in the Frederick DNA that continues this spirit of service to country.
American Legion Post 157, Margate Florida
named in his honor...
James Carl Frederick Post 157
photo credit - Post 157 Facebook page
Post 157 is located north-west of Ft. Lauderdale. Margate, in Broward County is James Carl's hometown.
You can tell from the photos on their Facebook page, this is a vibrant, happy place for local veterans and their families to go, eat, dance, party, and celebrate special days, and every day.
They have their own American Legion baseball team, and motorcycle club! They are a generous and giving bunch of people, active in their community, local charities, and food drives.
Post 157 and it's members are the foundation of support for veterans in the Broward County, Florida, area and beyond.
What a wonderful, continuing legacy !
photo credits: Post 157 Facebook page
https://www.facebook.com/search/top?q=james%20carl%20frederick%20post%20157
Hill 875 , The Battle for Dak To
Time Line:
Hill 875, Dak To, is described as "33 days of violent, sustained combat" by the 4th Infantry.org article, below. Also described as, "a series of major engagements from November 3 - November 23, 1967. "
Geography-
Dak To, Hill 875, is in the central highlands of South Vietnam, just east of the Cambodia border. Hill 875 is at 9 o'clock on this map, where the red stars are lined up showing major engagements / firefights. According to the 4th Infantry.org news article, below, The U.S. troops and camps represented a significant roadblock at the southern end of the Ho Chi Minh trail.
(Zoomable map.)
Another searchable, zoomable map...
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/4/49/Dak_To_Phase_3.jpg
Quality links for more about the battle for Hill 875:
A report created by the Defense Technical Information Center, DTIC, Army War College. 45 pages.
https://apps.dtic.mil/sti/citations/ADA195360
This is the least biased printed report I found. This is a day by day account, gritty, chaotic, and to the point.
4th Infantry.org News Article . Three page article.
The video documentary / movie Sky Soldiers, chronicling the 173rd Airborn Brigade. 1 hour 28 minutes
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KCoaVvPm_H4
Newsreel video footage. 45 second video
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rYMUV8-bMH0
Newsreel video. The Battle for Dakto and Hill 875, 173rd Airborn. 1 minute 2 seconds
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhfvmUd1sSQ
Hill 875 - Nov. 1967. a short film 18 minutes.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lcll_wyX1QQ
Combat Zone Hill 875 Dakto . video 49 minutes The History Channel.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=auxBZNJt5CI
The wiki link...
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Battle_of_Dak_To
Vietnam Voices. Audio / video of Thomas Rockwood, also a soldier in the 173rd Airborn Brigade. Thomas's service did not overlap with James Carl's service. Thomas served from 1968 to 1971.
"You Got to watch for this butterfly", Vietnam Voices is a Youtube channel with veterans telling their stories to a reporter from the Billings Gazette. Thomas's story is not about Hill 875, but it is simple and powerful. Great for car trips where you can play it through the radio bluetooth speaker. I personally love listening to these.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FX8aUp7_NVI&t=22s
In closing...
Most decent stories attempt to tie the last paragraph back to the first, in a clever, catchy way. In this case, that was never the goal.
To remember and honor James Carl is the only goal.
If this makes it easier for others to do the same, my goal has been met.
James Carl Frederick answered the call of service.
I understand something of the man by knowing his family, and by educating myself and considering the impossible situation he found himself in.
I look forward to meeting James Carl some day in Heaven, and shaking his hand.
As God fearing believers in Jesus Christ, we have the promise of eternity in Heaven. If you have not trusted Jesus, today can be the day.
Jesus already fought, and won that battle for us.
Romans 10:13 "...For, Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved."
Service Overview from Honorstates.org.
https://www.honorstates.org/index.php?id=273188
| Name | James Carl Frederick |
| From | Broward County, Florida |
| Born | July 3, 1941 |
| Death | November 19, 1967 |
| War | Vietnam War |
| Rank | Sergeant First Class |
| Specialty | Light Weapons Infantry |
| Branch | US Army |
| Group | 173rd Airborne Brigade, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry, C Company |
| MIA Status | Declared Dead while Missing |
| Cause | Died while missing in action, small arms fire |
| Location | Hill 875 1st Day, South Vietnam, Kontum province |
| Awarded | ★ Purple Heart |
James Carl Frederick was born on July 3, 1941. According to our records Florida was his home or enlistment state and Broward County included within the archival record. We have Margate listed as the city.
He had enlisted in the United States Army. Entered the service via Regular Military. Served during the Vietnam War. He began his tour on September 27, 1967. Frederick had the rank of Sergeant First Class. His military occupation or specialty was Light Weapons Infantry. Service number assignment was 14729005. Attached to 173rd Airborne Brigade, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Infantry, C Company.
During his service in the Vietnam War, Army Sergeant First Class Frederick was reported missing and ultimately declared dead on November 19, 1967. Recorded circumstances attributed to: Died while missing in action, small arms fire. Incident location: Hill 875 1st Day, South Vietnam, Kontum province.
James is honored on the Vietnam Veteran's Memorial in Washington DC. Name inscribed at VVM Wall, Panel 30e, Line 25.
