A National Guardsman
Frank Fitzgerald was a member of Company G prior to the 1941 draft expansion. In this 1939 photo, Fitzgerald is a Sergeant. During early portions of the war, Fitzgerald served as First Sergeant of the Company.
Hash Marks of an Experienced Soldier
In the 1941 unit photo of Company G, Fitzgerald is seated in the front row. On his left arm, 5 service stripes, or "hash marks," can be seen. Each stripe denotes 3 years of service. Even before the war started, Fitzgerald was a 15 year veteran of the Guard.
Reassigned
This Morning Report, dated March 21, 1944 - in the middle of the battle for Hill 260 - reports that Fitzgerald, serving as First Sergeant, had been reassigned out of Company G. There is no specific indication as to the reason for this action. It is not known if this move was an advancement, or if he was transferred out due to performance concerns. Within a few days of this, Captain Donald Pray of Company G was also transferred out. The commanding officers of the 182nd Infantry, and of the 2nd Battalion of the 182nd, were soon replaced. A major command shakeup was in progress.