July 14, 1897 (Norwalk, CT) – September 1, 1918; 21 years old
Unmarried
Last local address: 33 Osborne Avenue, East Norwalk
Entered the service May 25, 1915
Serial number 624062
Unit: 56th Coast Artillery, Artillery Corps, Battery D
Born to Amund Amundsen (1857-1918) and Caroline Amundsen (1860-1941), both born in Norway. Three sisters, Clara Amundsen Sturges (1882-1952), Laura (1889-1971), and May (1905-1995). Four brothers, Albert (1884-1928), Clifford (1886-1948), Helmer (1892-1950), and Gustave (1895-1926).
Employed as a “Shirt Starcher” for Cluett, Peabody & Co. prior to service. Joined the National Guard in 1915 at 18 years old.
Left for Europe on the SS Olympic, March 28, 1918. Died from complications from a severe leg wound suffered on August 24, 1918.
From an unknown newspaper, likely the Norwalk Sentinel; found in Norwalk History Room at the Norwalk Public Library
AMUNDSEN DIED IN A FIELD HOSPITAL
No Government Notice, But Letter Is Received From Nurse in France
EAST NORWALK BOY PAYS THE SUPREME SACRIFICE
Was Wounded on August 24; Attached to Company D, 60th Infantry Regiment
Although no official word has been received from the Government of the fact, letters have been received from a nurse who attended him that Private Frederick Amundsen, the 21-year-old son of Mrs. Caroline Amundsen of 33 Osborne Avenue, died in a field hospital in France as he was about to be operated upon. Private Amundsen is survived by five brothers, two of whom are in the service, and three sisters. The brothers are Private Gustave Amundsen who is marching into Germany, according to the letter received from him on Saturday, with Company D, 610th Infantry; Corporal J. Amundsen, a former member of the old 6th Company now located at Fort Terry, and Albert Clifford and Helmer Amundsen, all of East Norwalk; Mrs. David Sturges of Stamford and the Misses Laura and May Amundsen, also of East Norwalk. Word was received by his mother that Private Fred Amundsen had been wounded on August 24 while serving as a wagoner with Battery D, 45th Artillery, he was a former member of the old Sixth Company, and although his enlistment ran out in May, he was held by the three years’ service in reserve clause of his enlistment. He landed in France in the latter part of March. Information was sought as to his whereabouts and the government reply was that he was located at Field Hospital Number 103. The letter received from the nurse said that the boy had been suffering from hemorrhages in the wounded leg, the left one and that in order to save his life it would have to be necessary to amputate at the hip. This he agreed to and he went under the ether but failed to come to, having passed away while being operated upon. According to the letter this occurred on September 6. Why no word as to his condition has been received before this time is not known and the relatives of the deceased boy are making inquiries to ascertain why they were not notified before if this letter is true.
From The Norwalk Hour August 3, 1918
WAGONER AMUNDSEN’S BODY HERE FROM FRANCE
East Norwalk Man Was Only Company D Member Who Succumbed at Front.
The remains of Wagoner Frederick W. Amundsen, son of Mrs. Caroline Amundsen of Strawberry Hill, East Norwalk, the only member of the former Sixth Company of this city to die overseas, arrived here last night from Hoboken, N.J. The funeral services will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 p.m. at the Norwalk Armory. Burial will be at Riverside Cemetery. Wagoner Amundsen at the time of his death was 21 years of age. He was a member of Battery D, 56th Coast Artillery Corps. He was wounded in battle on August 24, 1918, and died in a French hospital on September 1, 1918. He was shot in the leg. The leg was amputated but gangrene set in, which caused his death. The former Sixth Company will act as an escort at the funeral. All former members of the company are requested to meet at the Armory at 1:30 in uniform and pay their last respects to their only comrade who fell overseas out of a total of 123 members who saw service on the other side. The deceased is survived by his mother, Mrs. Caroline Amundsen, a sister, Mrs. David Sturges of Stamford, Misses Laura and May Amundsen, and brothers, Albert, Clifford, Helmer, and Gustave, all of this city. Rev. Chapman S. Lewis, rector of Trinity church, will officiate services.
Pleasant View Street was renamed Amundsen Street in 1921 in his honor.
Private Amundsen is buried in Riverside Cemetery, 81 Riverside Avenue, Norwalk, Connecticut; Section 3, Plot 93. Photos by webmaster.
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