Frederick John Breuning was born on 31 May 1916, in Peru, Illinois, to John and Irene (Koehler) Breuning. Three years after his parents married on 18 June 1913, they welcomed Frederick, their only child. John and Irene provided for their family by operating a grocery store at 1612 Fifth Street. Frederick’s childhood was enriched by a close-knit family, including his maternal grandfather, Fred Koehler, a well-known local contractor who had built many of the city’s prominent buildings, including the Peru fire station and the Masonic Temple.
Frederick attended Peru’s elementary schools and went on to LaSalle-Peru Township High School, where he stood out as an active and engaged student. He served as treasurer of the student council, was a member of the School Service Squad, and even took part in school plays, demonstrating his wide range of talents and interests. After high school, Frederick furthered his education by attending the local community college.
In the late 1930s, Frederick took a job as a salesman at Sprague Warner Grocery in Chicago, but by 1940, he returned to LaSalle-Peru to run his family’s grocery store while his parents traveled to California. He later accepted a new position as a salesman with the Oakford Company in Peoria.
When the U.S. entered World War II in December 1941, Frederick answered the call to serve his country. He enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force shortly after the declaration of war and reenlisted the following year. By September 1942, Frederick was assigned to pre-flight school in Nashville, Tennessee, marking the beginning of an extensive training journey that took him through several states, including Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Nevada, Nebraska, and South Dakota.
It was during his service in Rapid City, South Dakota, that tragedy struck. On a fateful night, Frederick was part of a crew on a training flight when their plane crashed around 10:30 p.m. on 06 December 1944, about six miles north of Pierre, South Dakota. Of the crew, five, including Frederick, were killed, while three others survived after managing to parachute to safety. Frederick’s death was a devastating loss not only to his family but also to his community.
Corporal Frederick Breuning was laid to rest in Peru City Cemetery, where his parents would later be buried beside him when they passed away in the 1960s, a testament to the deep bond they shared with their only son.
Frederick was not the only member of his family to serve his country. His paternal uncle, Edward G. Breuning, served in World War I, and his maternal great-grandfather, Albright Koehler, fought in the Civil War. Frederick carried on this legacy of service, and though his life was cut short, his sacrifice is remembered with honor and gratitude.
Sources:
- “Illinois, County Marriages, 1810-1940,” Entry for John W Brenning and Irene Koehler, 18 Jun 1913, FamilySearch.
- “Illinois Births and Christenings, 1824-1940,” Frederick John Breuning, 1916, FamilySearch.
- 1920 U.S. Census, John W. Breuning, Ancestry.
- 1930 U.S. Census, John Breuning, Ancestry.
- 1940 U.S. Census, John W. Breuning, Ancestry.
- “U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-2016,” LaSalle-Peru Township High School Yearbook, 1934, p. 37, Ancestry.
- “U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-2016,” LaSalle-Peru Township High School Yearbook, 1933, p. 81, Ancestry.
- “U.S., School Yearbooks, 1900-2016,” LaSalle-Peru Township High School Yearbook, 1932, p. 126, Ancestry.
- “U.S., World War I Draft Registration Cards, 1917-1918,” John William Breuning, Ancestry.
- “U.S., World War II Draft Cards Young Men, 1940-1947,” Frederick John Breuning, Ancestry.
- “U.S., Headstone Applications for Military Veterans, 1861-1985,” Edward G. Breuning, Ancestry.
- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/101656890/albreight-koehler
- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/101656776/fred_a_koehler
- https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/84843865/frederick-j-breuning
