In Memory of Army Sergeant
Harold Henry Feser
Claremont, South Dakota
Marshall County
April 6, 1919 --February 3, 1945
Died Of Wounds in Luzon, Philippines
Harold H. Feser was born on April 6, 1919, to Mr. and Mrs. Frank Feser at Claremont, South Dakota. Harold was active in 4-H and earned many county and state awards, including a trip to Chicago in 1935, while he was still in high school. In addition, Harold was very athletic as a member of the Claremont High School basketball and baseball teams. He also played on the Claremont-Columbia American Legion baseball team for two years and later played on the Claremont Championship baseball team. Harold Feser graduated from Claremont High School in 1937.
Harold lived on the family farm near Claremont until June of 1941, when he was inducted into the Army. At Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Feser received his basic training and was stationed for eighteen months, where he played on the Ft. Leonard Wood Champion Army team. From there he was sent to Camp Young, California, and then Camp San Luis Obispo.
In July of 1943, Sgt. Harold Feser was sent overseas, stationed on the Hawaiian Islands while receiving advanced Infantry training. Seven months later, Sgt. Feser saw active battle in New Guinea. Then he was in combat in the East Indies, and finally he landed on Luzon Island, Philippines, as part of the Sixth Division.
Army Sgt. Harold Feser was wounded January 22, 1945, on Luzon Island in the Philippines and died on February 3, 1945. Although originally buried in the Armed Forces Cemetery, Santa Barbara, Philippine Islands, Sgt. Feser’s remains were returned to Groton, South Dakota, and buried in the Groton Cemetery. The Legion Post in Claremont is named in honor of Harold Feser.
This entry was respectfully submitted by Erik A. Shipley, 8th Grade West, Spearfish Middle School, Spearfish, South Dakota, November 13, 2000. Information for this entry was provided by Mrs. Monica McCranie, Claremont, South Dakota, niece of Army Sgt. Harold Feser.
