| Herbert Fleck | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Birth name | Robert Typo |
| Born | 1914 |
| Died | 1999 |
| Nativity | Germany |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| ASN | 36048143 |
| Rank | Technical Sergeant |
| Camp Ritchie | Class 15 (4 January – 3 March 1944) |
| Section | 5A |
| Enlisted | Chicago, Illinois |
{{Needs source}}, or explain disagreements on talk. Baseline import notes: About the data.
Herbert Fleck (1914–1999) was a Ritchie Boy (born Robert (typo)?; from Germany; Jewish) who trained at Camp Ritchie in class 15.
Biography
The Grandson of Ritchie Boy M Sgt Herbert Fleck is seeking information about his Grandfather's World War II service. He shared some important documents with us. Previously, I posted RB Fleck's discharge paper. Now, I am sharing with you a citation he received awarding him the Bronze Star for Meritorious Service in Luxembourg, Germany and Austria from December 9, 1944 to May 9, 1945. M Sgt Herbert Fleck was the Chief Clerk of Order of Battle Team #54 and was attached to the Headquarters of the 80th Infantry Division. More to follow.
The Bronze Star citation for Ritchie Boy M Sgt Herbert Fleck reads that he "...arranged and presented in a logical form much valuable information pertaining to the German Army. He has produced on-call data concerning the organization, strength, and armament and tactics of enemy units attempting to oppose the advance of the 80th Infantry Division. In addition, he served in a superior manner as an interpreter for the Division Commander in obtaining the surrender of Lieutenant General Black (sic) and his Sixth German Army. M Sgt Fleck's skill, efficiency and devotion to duty are commensurate with the highest ideas of the armed services."
Attached is an excerpt from the General Orders of May 29, 1945 from the Headquarters of the 80th Infantry Division recognizing Ritchie Boy M Sgt Herbert Fleck and several other colleagues for the award of the Bronze Star medal. This is also a photo of RB Herbert Fleck.
Here are some additional photos of Ritchie Boy Herbert Fleck. As if this story wasn't enough, it turns out that Herbert's brother, Stephen Fleck, was also a Ritchie Boy! We don't have any information on him but he had a great career after his army service in the medical field, especially at Yale University.
One last photo of Ritchie Boy M Sgt Herbert Fleck in a rare, relaxing moment in the field.
Research notes
- Also PG Class OB 11
- 14th Armored Div
- OB 34
Gallery
Technical record
| Field | Imported value |
|---|---|
| Approx Age at Death | 85 |
| Nara ASN | 36048143 |
| Nara Name | FLECK HERBERT |
| Nara State | 1 |
| Nara County | 31 |
| Nara POE | 6120 |
| Nara DOE | 160941 |
| Nara Grade Alpha | PVT |
| Nara Grade Code | 8 |
| Nara Branch Alpha | BI |
| Nara Branch Code | 0 |
| Branch | Branch Immaterial - Warrant Officers, USA |
| Nara Term or Enlistment | 7 |
| Term of enlistment | Enlistment for the Philippine Department |
| Defer. Date | 0 |
| Nara Source | 0 |
| Nara Nativity | N1 |
| Nara Year of Birth | 14 |
| Nara Race | J |
| Nara Race Description | White not yet a citizen |
| Nara Education | 6 |
| Nara Civilian Occupation | 101 |
| Nara Marital Status | 6 |
| Nara Height (inches) | 68 |
| Nara Weight (lbs) | 136 |
| Class_ASN | 36048143 |
| Class_Name | FLECK, Herbert |
| match_method | asn_exact_name_exact |
| row_source | both |
Sources
- Camp Ritchie class roster (classes 1–31), merged research file
- NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present)
- 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present)
- Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2021-05-09 (5 posts)