Biography
Fred was born to Emmy Stenstrom in White Plains, New York, but grew up in Mount Vernon, New York.
Fred graduated from Cornell University in Ithaca, New York in 1939. He joined the Horticulture Department of the University of Illinois after receiving his Master of Science Degree in 1940 here at Iowa State, where he was a research assistant.
He entered service at Fort Sheridan, Illinois on June 23, 1941. He made Second Lieutenant on May 26, 1942, First Lieutenant on February 2, 1943, and Captain on October 27, 1943.
Captain Fred H. Stenstrom died along the Roer River in Germany on February 14, 1945. He was on leave of absence from the University of Illinois at the time of his death.
Fred earned the Bronze Star January 31, 1945. He served with the 9th Army, 30th Infantry Division. His mother wrote a letter to Alumni Association, dated June 6, 1945:
"Dear Mr. W. E. Barron, I wish to express my appreciation of your letter of sympathy in the lost of my son Fred Stenstrom, and my heartfelt thanks to all his former classmates and teachers who share in my great sorrow.
Sincerely yours, Emmy Stenstrom."