Intertribal Life Newspaper -

EAU CLAIRE, WI—William R. Fredenberg, a decorated combat veteran who was a member of the Menominee Nation of Wisconsin, died on July 21. He was 89.

Fredenberg enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1942. He served in World War II, when he was shot down in France and taken as a prisoner of war.

As a prisoner, Fredenberg led a daring escape of 13 fellow prisoners. He received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Medal with two oak leaf clusters for his efforts.

Fredenberg enlisted in the Air Force a second time in 1950 and served in Vietnam, where he distinguished himself and received an...