To the Editor,

I wish all your loyal readers would dedicate a moment of their time and read this short article on a long time resident and civil defense director of Warwick, Fredrick J. Marsh.

He was born and raised in Providence and moved to Warwick thereafter. Upon joining the Rhode Island Army National Guard, he went on to serve in the U.S. Army 2nd Armored Division tank corps under General Patton in the European Theater of operation. Sgt. Marsh’s tank was hit with enemy fire in Sicily in 1943. He suffered severe head wounds and was hospitalized in Casablanca. He received the Purple Heart among his numerous other medals and citations. He returned to the front lines and fought his way across Sicily and most of Italy. He also served in North Africa and on to Omaha Beach and later fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He was later inducted into the OSS primarily because of his language skills. Parachuting into Holland and working with the underground forces, he performed numerous undercover operations in Holland and Belgium, leading to the liberation of France. Recently he was designated a Chevalier of the Legion of Honor. He received this highest award given by France to American GIs in a ceremony at the French Embassy in Washington D.C.

In civilian life, after serving as a long time Civil Defense Director of Warwick where he procured numerous military surplus equipment for the city and held numerous educational classes and seminars, he was asked by the Governor to become the Deputy Director of the State Emergency Management Agency which he accepted. While serving the State, he was called to perform numerous undercover operations for the Central Intelligence Agency. Mr. Marsh later retired as Director of the Rhode Island Emergency Management Agency. He is now 91 years of age and resides in Ashburn, Virginia with his wife and children. The City of Warwick should always be honored to have had a gentleman and hero as their long time resident. I myself have been honored to call him my Director in R.I.

Emergency Management Agency, and very dear friend who is always there in my time of need and advice for over 45 years. The City of Warwick and the State of R.I. should feel proud to have a dedicated public servant and patriot.

God Bless America.

Lawrence Daglieri

Bristol