Frederick J. Yeske first attracted attention as a pitcher at Canton High School in Connecticut, where he set a single-game strikeout record of 21. He was signed by the Hartford Bees of the Class A Eastern League in 1941, and aptioned to the Goldsboro Goldbugs of the Class D Coastal Plain League. Yeske pitched 28 games for the Goldbugs for a 9-8 record and 3.58 ERA. In 1942, he was assigned to the Welch Miners of the Class C Mountain State League where he was 7-5 in 21 games.
On September 5, 1942, Yeske entered military service with the Army and joined the 143rd Infantry Regiment of the 36th "Texas" Infantry Division. The division landed in North Africa on April 13, 1943, and trained in Arzwe and Rabat. It first saw action on September 9, 1943, participating in the first invation of the European mainland, going ashore near Salerno, Italy. A fierce and bloody battle was fought in the face of German counterattacks, but the division advanced slowly.
On December 1, 1943, Yeske found time to write a brief note of thanks to the Canton War Council. The council had sent gifts to all Canton servicemen. "Just a few lines to let you know that I received your Christmas gift and was very happy that the people back home take interest in the boys in the service," he wrote. Christmas was fast approaching and like the majority of troops on the front lines all over the world, he was thinking about getting home. "We all hope the peace will come soon and that everyone can enjoy a Christmas at home," he wrote.
On December 21, 1943, three weeks after writing home, Yeske was killed in action as the 143rd Infantry Regiment was attacking the Italian village of San Pietro.
Company G
143rd Infantry Regiment
36th Infantry Division U.S. Army
On September 5, 1942, Yeske entered military service with the Army and joined the 143rd Infantry Regiment of the 36th "Texas" Infantry Division. The division landed in North Africa on April 13, 1943, and trained in Arzwe and Rabat. It first saw action on September 9, 1943, participating in the first invation of the European mainland, going ashore near Salerno, Italy. A fierce and bloody battle was fought in the face of German counterattacks, but the division advanced slowly.
On December 1, 1943, Yeske found time to write a brief note of thanks to the Canton War Council. The council had sent gifts to all Canton servicemen. "Just a few lines to let you know that I received your Christmas gift and was very happy that the people back home take interest in the boys in the service," he wrote. Christmas was fast approaching and like the majority of troops on the front lines all over the world, he was thinking about getting home. "We all hope the peace will come soon and that everyone can enjoy a Christmas at home," he wrote.
On December 21, 1943, three weeks after writing home, Yeske was killed in action as the 143rd Infantry Regiment was attacking the Italian village of San Pietro.
Company G
143rd Infantry Regiment
36th Infantry Division U.S. Army
Frederick J. Yeske first attracted attention as a pitcher at Canton High School in Connecticut, where he set a single-game strikeout record of 21. He was signed by the Hartford Bees of the Class A Eastern League in 1941, and aptioned to the Goldsboro Goldbugs of the Class D Coastal Plain League. Yeske pitched 28 games for the Goldbugs for a 9-8 record and 3.58 ERA. In 1942, he was assigned to the Welch Miners of the Class C Mountain State League where he was 7-5 in 21 games.
On September 5, 1942, Yeske entered military service with the Army and joined the 143rd Infantry Regiment of the 36th "Texas" Infantry Division. The division landed in North Africa on April 13, 1943, and trained in Arzwe and Rabat. It first saw action on September 9, 1943, participating in the first invation of the European mainland, going ashore near Salerno, Italy. A fierce and bloody battle was fought in the face of German counterattacks, but the division advanced slowly.
On December 1, 1943, Yeske found time to write a brief note of thanks to the Canton War Council. The council had sent gifts to all Canton servicemen. "Just a few lines to let you know that I received your Christmas gift and was very happy that the people back home take interest in the boys in the service," he wrote. Christmas was fast approaching and like the majority of troops on the front lines all over the world, he was thinking about getting home. "We all hope the peace will come soon and that everyone can enjoy a Christmas at home," he wrote.
On December 21, 1943, three weeks after writing home, Yeske was killed in action as the 143rd Infantry Regiment was attacking the Italian village of San Pietro.
Company G
143rd Infantry Regiment
36th Infantry Division U.S. Army
On September 5, 1942, Yeske entered military service with the Army and joined the 143rd Infantry Regiment of the 36th "Texas" Infantry Division. The division landed in North Africa on April 13, 1943, and trained in Arzwe and Rabat. It first saw action on September 9, 1943, participating in the first invation of the European mainland, going ashore near Salerno, Italy. A fierce and bloody battle was fought in the face of German counterattacks, but the division advanced slowly.
On December 1, 1943, Yeske found time to write a brief note of thanks to the Canton War Council. The council had sent gifts to all Canton servicemen. "Just a few lines to let you know that I received your Christmas gift and was very happy that the people back home take interest in the boys in the service," he wrote. Christmas was fast approaching and like the majority of troops on the front lines all over the world, he was thinking about getting home. "We all hope the peace will come soon and that everyone can enjoy a Christmas at home," he wrote.
On December 21, 1943, three weeks after writing home, Yeske was killed in action as the 143rd Infantry Regiment was attacking the Italian village of San Pietro.
Company G
143rd Infantry Regiment
36th Infantry Division U.S. Army
Inscription
Frederick J. Yeske
Connecticut
PFC 143 Inf
World War II
In loving memory of our only son Frederick PFC of the 36th Texas division 5th army gave his all in Italy.
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