Vern Jacob Fried was born on May 9, 1948, in Ipswich,
South Dakota, to Carl and Martha Fried. Vern had three
sisters: Janet, Phyllis, and Pam, and two brothers, Dennis
and Larry. He also had a girlfriend named Bonnie. Vern’s
family moved to Aberdeen, South Dakota, where Vern attended
Central High School and graduated in May of 1967. While in
high school, he had a job as a meat cutter. His sister,
Janet, describes him: “He was a very friendly and
compassionate person. Full of life and loved everyone; he
was very fun loving.”
Vern entered the service by choice. He “figured he would
be drafted anyway and wanted to get it over with…he wanted
to do his time then come home and get married” to Bonnie.
Reportedly he was even assured that he would never have to
go overseas since he was enlisting.
Vern Fried entered the Marine Corps on July 20, 1967, at
Minneapolis. He was sent to Camp Pendleton, California, for
basic infantry training and individual combat training.
After a week’s leave, Private First Class Fried was sent
overseas to Vietnam on December 21, 1967 as a part of
Company K, Third Batallion, Third Marine, and Third Marine
Division. While overseas, Vern wrote many letters home. His
mother once said, “He was a good letter writer,” and she
kept a “white envelope stuffed” with his letters. Vern even
asked in his last letter that she send him more paper and
envelopes so that he could continue to write.
PFC Vern Fried sent his last letter to his parents on
February 3, 1968. It read in part, “Hi there all. Well, here
I am again. Hope you are fine. I am…” and then went on to
say, “Buy Bonnie a card and a Valentine box of candy for me
and give it to her. Buy a big one.” He sent money with his
letter.
Private First Class Vern Jacob Fried was killed in action
on February 7, 1968, in Quang Tri Provence, in South
Vietnam, just two months after he was sent overseas. Vern
Fried’s parents were sent a letter from the commanding
officer who wrote:
Vern was assigned as a rifleman in the
second squad of the second platoon in this Company. On
the afternoon of February 7, 1968, near Gio Linn, in the
Quang Tri Province, Republic of South Vietnam, Company K
became engaged with a large enemy force of the North
Vietnamese Army. During the engagement, at approximately
3:00 PM, Vern received a gunshot wound in the chest from
enemy automatic rifle fire while providing security for
the Company Command Group. He died instantly, and knew
no pain.
…Vern was known to the Marines in his
platoon was ‘Smokey,’ he was well liked by all who knew
him and was always in a cheerful and jovial mood. He was
highly respected by his seniors as well as his fellow
comrades. Vern was always willing to lend a helping hand
and was noted for his ‘can-do’ attitude…
For Private First Class Vern Fried’s service, he was
awarded the Military Merit Medal, the Gallantry Cross with
Palm, the Purple Heart, the National Defense Service
pendant, Vietnam Service medal and Vietnam Campaign medal.
Vern’s father, Carl, passed away on October 4, 1976. His
mother, Martha, remarried on December 17, 1977 to Rueben
Ackerman. Vern’s surviving brothers and sisters include:
Janet Graf, who lives in Houghton, South Dakota; Pam
Ottenbacher, who lives in Eureka, South Dakota; Phyllis
McClain, who lives in New Martinsville, West Virginia;
Dennis Fried, who lives in Bath, South Dakota; and Larry
Fried, who lives in Palarump, Nevada.
Janet remembers him: “He is missed by all of us. We talk
of him often and tell the younger generation what a good
person he was.”
This entry was respectfully submitted by Jennifer Hicks,
8th Grade, Spearfish Middle School, Spearfish, South Dakota,
on October 13, 2005. Information for this entry was provided
by Janet Graf, sister of Vern, who lives in Houghton, South
Dakota. Additional information was provided by South Dakota
Vietnam Veterans Bonus Application. Profile approval by
Janet Graf.
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