Frederick, Robert Tryon, 1907-1970

<p>Robert T. Frederick organized, trained, and led the combined Canadian-American First Special Service Force (FSSF) in World War II. Originally conceived as a commando action force to counter the Nazi occupation of Norway, the concept was reoriented to an elite fighting element trained for cold weather, mountainous, and amphibious operations.</p>

<p>The FSSF assaulted the Japanese-held island of Kiska in the Aleutians, before being shifted to the Italian campaign. The Force breached the German Winter Line at Monte La Difensa, defended a major portion of the Anzio beachhead, and was the first Allied unit into Rome. Frederick later commanded the First Airborne Task Force during Operation DRAGOON, the invasion of Southern France. He was the commander of the 45th Infantry Division on its final drive into Germany.</p>

<p>Frederick, a true fighting general, was wounded eight times and awarded two Distinguished Service Crosses and one Silver Star. His legacy of leadership continues in the Special Forces Groups, which draw their Army lineage from the FSSF, with the Force arrowhead patch, and the Special Forces Branch insignia, the crossed arrows of the Force.</p>

Major General Robert Tryon Frederick (March 14, 1907 – November 29, 1970) was a senior United States Army officer who fought in World War II. During the war, he commanded the 1st Special Service Force, the 1st Allied Airborne Task Force, and the 45th Infantry Division. He was twice awarded the Distinguished Service Cross and several other decorations.

<p>PALO ALTO, Calif., Nov. 30 (AP) — Maj. Gen. Robert T. Frederick. the Army's youngest division commander in France during World War II, died last evening of a heart ailment at Stanford Hospital. He was 63 years old.</p>

<p>Death was ascribed to his heart's rejection of a Pace maker,</p>

<p>General Frederick, a West Point graduate in the class of 1928, was wounded eight times In combat in World War II.</p>

<p>In December, 1944, he took command of the 45th (Thunder bird) Division at the age of 37. In August of that year he had led an airborne task force in the invasion of Southern France.</p>

<p>General Frederick, in 1943. helped organize the United States‐Canadian Special Service Force that invaded the Jape nese.,held Aleutian island of, Attu.</p>

<p>The exploit was made into a Hollywood film and the attack force was called “the Devil's Brigade.”</p>

<p>General Frederick took com mand at Attu after the Ca nadian commander was killed in action.</p>

<p>He earned the Distinguished Service Cross and the Distin guished Service Medal, each being awarded twice, and the Silver Star and Bronze Star.</p>

<p>He leaves his wife, Ruth; two daughters, Mrs. Philip Hicks and Mrs. Jane See, and eight grandchildren.</p>

Robert Tryon Frederick (1907-1970) was born in San Francisco, California. From West Point he commissioned in the Coast Artillery Corps in 1928. In 1939 he graduated from Command and General Staff School. From 1941 to 1942 he worked on the War Department General Staff. In 1942 he became commander of 1st Special Service Force in Mediterranean and Pacific Theater of Operations. He rose to brigadier general in January 1944 and major general in August 1944. From 1944 to 1945 he was commanding general of 1st Airborne Division, then 45th Division. His postwar assignments included commanding general of 4th Division, then 6th Division. He retired from active duty in March 1952. He received two Distinguished Service Crosses, two Distinguished Service Medals, the Silver Star, two Legions of Merit, two Bronze Stars, the Air Medal and eight Purple Hearts.