august 11, 1921 - december 1, 1998
Rank: Staff Sergeant
Dates of Service: 1939-1971
Floyd Frey’s life began August 11, 1921, in Bechtelsville, Pennsylvania. He was born to Warren and Margaret Frey. His mother passed away when he was only nine years old. His father told him he couldn’t afford to raise him, and that he would have to go to a boys home. Floyd asked relatives if he could work for room and board. They agreed to keep him as long as they could. In some places he would sleep in the attic during winter months…but it was home. He walked to his one-room schoolhouse until the 8th grade. He then went to work full time.
When World War II started, he was eager to fight for his country. His first choice was the US Air Force, but he was turned down because of his education. His next choice was the US Marine Corps. He was strong, fit and in great shape. They accepted his education, and Floyd received his GED while serving as a Marine.
After training at Parrish Island, SC, Floyd went off for more training in Infantry, and then he went off to fight in the war. He was presumed dead after the jeep he was in blew up on a bridge—but he actually survived! He had grabbed another helmet to protect his head. Back home, the town was notified of his presumed death. However, the town had a homecoming parade after the war…and Floyd was marching in it! Everyone that knew him was so surprised and happy!
The war shook Floyd up, so he left the service for a while and worked as a volunteer fireman. He also held a job as a bricklayer. During that time he met his future wife. While marching in a firemen’s parade, she picked him out of everyone marching while looking down from her upstairs room with a friend. At the hoedown dance after the parade, she found Floyd. They danced and talked, and he asked her how old she was. She was 14. Floyd gave her his phone number and a nickel and asked her to call him when she was 16. And she did!
Floyd and Erma Rohrbach married on August 11, 1951—his birthday, so he would never forget their anniversary—after Erma’s high school graduation. The couple had two daughters and two grandsons. Through all of his deployments, tours of duty and war, she remained a faithful and loving wife. Their letters would be numbered so they would know which to open first, and they were always sealed with a kiss.
Floyd was a very loving, protective and providing husband, father and grandfather before his passing on December 1, 1998. He was 77 years old and was married for 47 years.
