.png)
The Freedom Rock
Lee C. Prentice & August Larson
The following accounts of two Martin County veterans is in relation to the “Freedom Rock” sponsored by the Fairmont American Legion Post #36. “The 50 State Freedom Rock Tour, created by the artist of The Freedom Rock; Ray "Bubba" Sorensen II, aims to spread the message of thanking our Veterans while providing a unique to their state Freedom Rock for all 50 States in America.” (1) The Freedom Rock sponsored by Fairmont American Legion Post #36 will honor all Martin County individuals that have served or are currently serving in the military.
"The American Legion was chartered by Congress in 1919 as a patriotic veterans' organization. Focusing on service to veterans, service members and communities, the Legion evolved from a group of war-weary veterans of World War I into one of the most influential nonprofit groups in the United States. Membership swiftly grew to over 1 million, and local posts sprang up across the country. Today, membership stands at over 2.4 million in 14,000 posts worldwide. The posts are organized into 55 departments: one each for the 50 states, along with the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, France, Mexico and the Philippines." (2)
Martin County native and namesake of Fairmont American Legion Post #36, Lieutenant Observer Lee C. Prentice, was commissioned a lieutenant in the first officers training camp at Fort Snelling. He was initially assigned to Camp Dodge, Iowa. Following that, he was transferred to the Aviation Section of the Signal Corps in Austin, Texas.
His unit was to set sail for Europe on the Tuscania. However, their orders were lost and he and the others in his unit weren’t able to board the ship. In that respect, he said, “I don’t know much about fate,” says Lee, “but there must be something like that.” 3 He was referring to the fact that the Tuscania was torpedoed and sunk by a German U-boat and, fortunately for him, he wasn’t on board due to his orders being lost.
"There were 2,129 American troops on board, mostly National Guardsmen from Wisconsin and Michigan. Many of the men would reinforce the 32nd Division (the so- called “Red Arrow Division"). The ship and its crew of 384 joined a convoy at Halifax, Nova Scotia, bound for Le Havre, France. On February 5, 1918, at 5:40 PM, UB-77 spotted the Tuscania in its periscope near the Scottish and Northern Irish coasts and fired two torpedoes. The first one missed, but the second scored a direct hit, killing six men instantly.
By 7:00 PM, all lifeboats had been launched, but over 1000 men were still on board. According to one account, some 600 of them were lining the rail, waiting for the next development, smoking and talking quietly, ‘discussing their plight.’ The Tuscania sank at 10:00 PM 7 miles southwest of the Scottish Isle of Islay (pronounced “eye-la”) in water around 500 feet deep. A number of the men in lifeboats drowned when the ropes lowering the boats into the sea broke. The sinking made headlines, especially in Wisconsin newspapers, given the number of men on board from that state. Nearly 210 US soldiers were lost (the account varies according to different sources). The bodies of the majority were recovered, with others lost at sea." (4)
Prentice was eventually sent to France and was assigned to the Bombing Section of the British Royal Flying Force for long distance raids. Unfortunately, he was killed on August 1, 1918, on only his second raid into German territory. He was seen landing in enemy territory but did not survive.
Sherburn native, Major General August Larson, served in the USMC from January 13, 1928, to February 1, 1963, after 35 years of active duty service. (5) During his active duty he was the recipient of the Silver Star. According to the citation, the Silver Star was awarded him for his gallantry as Commanding Officer of the Twenty-Second Marines, SIXTH Marine Division, in action against Japanese forces on Okinawa in June of 1945.
While under heavy enemy fire, then Lieutenant Colonel Larson conducted reconnaissance from front line positions personally supervising reorganization of badly depleted units of the Regiment. He proceeded under heavy hostile fire where he directed the reorganization of a battalion and the assault on Hill 55. This action brought the complete destruction of the Japanese in that area. (6)
Larson was also awarded the “Legion of Merit” for his exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services in the Pacific Theater of Operations. General August Larson passed away on November 4, 1981, at the age of 77 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery. For more information on this topic or to become a member visit the Pioneer Museum in Fairmont or its website.
Sources:
(1) https://www.thefreedomrock.com/50statefreedomrocktour/
(2) http://www.legion.org/history
(3) Fairmont Daily Sentinel, Feb. 18, 1918, p. 1.
(4) ncbi.nlm.nih.gov
