Military Life
As a Seaman first class Fritz was doing on-the-job training for his likely career. These men are commonly known as "strikers" in the USCG.
The uniform and equipment of a coast guardsman conformed with the other branches during WWII. This consisted of pistol and cartridge bags, a small first aid kit, bayonet, and canteen all known as 'web equipment' However Fritz only had a blanket and his clothes on his person at the time of his death. |
The USS LCI(L)-91 carried about 200 men and was first commissioned early in 1943. After training in Virginia Beach the unit deployed to the Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater. The last occupied post before Normandy was during the Salerno landings in September of 1944. The USS LCI(L)-91 received four battle stars for its action in WWII.
Leslie Fritz was killed on 6 June 1944 in action. He was interred in September at St. Laurent American Military Cemetery and rested for 4 years in Plot Q Row 1 Grave 12. He was moved during the construction of Normandy American Military Cemetery on the 7th of June in 1948 to his current resting place at Plot G Row 19 Grave 4.
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