PFC Frank Fugera (WWII)

Remembering PFC Frank Fugera

September 11, 1919 - November 8, 1942

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Note: Several sources refer to Frank as CPL Frank Fugera, but his Individual Deceased Personnel File and Burial Records list him as PFC Fugera.

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PFC Frank Fugera (Service Number 13023728) was born September 11, 1919 in the Hawkinberry Hollow area of Rivesville, WV, the son of John and Elizabeth Fugera. John and Elizabeth had immigrated in the early 1900s from Austria, with their oldest daughter, Mary (John 1902, Elizabeth and Mary 1904; 1920 Census). John was a coal miner, later working as a machinist for the coal mine (1930 census). By 1930, their family had moved just across the border into Monongalia County, with a note in the 1940 census indicating that they'd lived in "Talbott" since at least 1935. 

None of the twelve Fugera siblings graduated from high school, with the majority completing their education in 8th grade. By 1940, Frank was supporting his whole household (parents and three younger siblings) by working as a laborer for the Civilian Conservation Corps (1940 Census). 

When Frank registered for the draft on October 16, 1940, the whole family was living in Jordan, WV. Still working for the Civilian Conservation Corps, this time at a camp in Hedgesville, Berkley County, Frank was 5'10" and 155 lbs, with brown hair, brown eyes, and ruddy skin. Several newspaper articles indicate that Frank also worked for the Consolidation Mine 93 in Jordan for a time ("Corp. Frank Fugera" The Morgantown Post).

Military Service:

Frank Fugera enlisted in the army on January 16, 1941, in Baltimore, Maryland (Army Enlistment Records). According to the book "Young American Patriots," Frank was stationed at Fort Bragg, Camp Blanding, Fort Devens, England, and in North Africa, working his way up to the title of Corporal. He was a member of the 1st Infantry Division, 16th Infantry Regiment, Weapons Platoon, Company B.

On November 8, 1942, PFC Frank Fugera died of wounds sustained in action, while serving in Algeria, North Africa. In the book "Patton's Payback," author Stephen L. Moore relates the story of Frank's death (pg 50). 

"Reynold's First Platoon landed before dawn on Arzew's east beach and move swiftly up a mountain to the French-held town of La Macta. At the edge of town, his squad was greeted by a French civilian who came out of his house bearing an old 20-gauge shotgun. Without warning, the man fired his shotgun, striking PFC Frank Fugera in the knee. Medic Arthur Tozar dragged Fugera to a road side ditch to tend to his wounds, but shock and blood loss claimed Fugera's life as they lay pinned down by artillery fire."

Legacy and Survivors:

Initially interred in two different cemeteries in Algeria during WWII, PFC Frank Fugera reached his final resting spot at the Grafton National Cemetery on June 10, 1948.

PFC Frank Fugera was survived by his parents, siblings, and their families. Frank's mother unfortunately died before his remains came home to West Virginia. One of Frank's brothers, Joseph, named his son after his brother. Another brother, John, served in the Navy during WWII.

Frank was honored in the community of Jordan on May 21, 1944, alongside two other fallen Jordan residents- PVT Arnold Zickefoose, and PVT Frank Wasorovich. The three young men had all worked at Consolidation Mine 93 in Jordan, and as such, the memorial service was organized and sponsored by the United Mine Workers of America, Jordan Local No. 6721 ("Jordan Community Honors Her Dead Heroes," Times West Virginian).

PFC Fugera was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart, and is honored at the West Virginia Veterans Memorial in Charleston, WV.

Sources and More Information:

  • 16th Infantry Regiment Association: Regimental History
  • Findagrave: PFC Frank Fugera
  • Moore, Stephen. (2022). Patton’s Payback : The Battle of El Guettar and General Patton’s Rise to Glory. Caliber.
  • US Army Enlistment Records: Frank Fugera (Accessed through Ancestry)
  • US Census Records: 1920, 1930, 1940 (Accessed through Ancestry)
  • US Draft Cards: Frank Fugera (Accessed through Ancestry)
  • US Headstone Applications: Frank Fugera (Accessed through Ancestry)
  • US Hospital Admission Card Files: Frank Fugera (Accessed through Ancestry)
  • West Virginia Memory Project: Frank Fugera
  • Young American Patriots: Frank Fugera (Accessed through Ancestry, source of this photo)
Newspaper Articles:
  • "6 West Virginians Killed in N. Africa." The Charleston Gazette. 3 January 1943.. Accessed with help from the West Virginia and Regional History Center at WVU.
  • "Miners Will Honor Three Jordan Men" The Fairmont Times. 18 May 1944. Accessed with help from the West Virginia and Regional History Center at WVU.
  • "Jordan Community Honors her Dead Heroes" The Times West Virginian. 21 May 1944. Accessed with help from the West Virginia and Regional History Center at WVU.
  • "Ceremony at Jordan Honors Three Heroes" The Fairmont Times. 22 May 1944. Accessed with help from the West Virginia and Regional History Center at WVU.
  • "Corp. Frank Fugera" The Morgantown Post. 7 June 1948. Accessed with help from the West Virginia and Regional History Center at WVU.

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