LI's Oldest Marine - SuffolkJournal.com

Happy Birthday - In fact,
a 100 of Them - for Marine

March 23, 2001

Marine Veterans feted Richard Fredey , a Veteran of WWI, WWII, and Korea, as he turned 100 today at the VA Medical Center in Northport. He is truly a Marine for all centuries.

For four decades Richard Fredey served his country, enlisting when only 17 using a false birth certificate during World War I.

Fellow Marines helped this veteran celebrate his 100^th birthday at the Northport Veterans Hospital nursing home where he now resides. His wife, Anne at his side he enjoyed the simple yet heart-felt praise from other Veterans as they shared a birthday cake with other residents. This was only the first of several celebrations planned for this momentous occasion. Fredey has the distinction of being the oldest Marine resident of Long Island and will be honored again by family members on his actual birthday later this week.

During his service Fredey, who retired a Colonel, earned numerous commendations including a Bronze Star and Purple Heart.

Between World War I and World War II, he completed his education and worked in hotel management. Re-enlisting, he served again, this time as an officer in the Pacific theater. He has been retired from the Marine Corps Reserves for more than 35 years now, but still enjoys the respect and admiration of everyone who proudly wore the Marine Corps uniform.

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Post 5796, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Kings Park spent the day at RJO Intermediate School. The topic of discussion with the 4th grade was the history of the U.S. Flag. (Pictured Ken Randell, Leo Preti, Eugene Meyer, Ruth Rosenberg, Ass't Superintendent KPUSFD, Andy Ryan, Bill Stanton and Ed McDermott. Photo by Leo Ostebo)