Fred Sloan

(From Parker Mortuary)

On Saturday April 16th, 2016. Fred Sloan Jr. passed away at the age of 90 while at his home in Lansing Kansas, surrounded by his loving children and grandchildren. Fred was born in Ava, Missouri on February 23rd, 1926 to the late Hattie (Day) Sloan. He was adopted by Alfred Sloan, and thus became Fred J. Sloan Jr. He met and married the love of his life Lillie May Harris on September 4, 1943 in Joplin, Missouri. They were united in marriage for 63 years, until her death on April 14, 2007.

Fred enlisted in the U.S. Army on May 24, 1944. He volunteered for airborne and glider training with assignment to 13th Airborne Division, Camp McCall, N.C. SGT Sloan deployed with the airborne division to southern France in February 1945 with assignment to the 326th Glider Infantry Regiment. Germany surrendered on May 17th 1945 resulting in the 13th ABN DIV being reassigned to the Pacific and the glider regiment returning to the united states and was discharged.

Fred reenlisted in the U.S. Army on July 1950 and was assigned to positions of continued responsibility and leadership as follows: Platoon Sergeant Company K 86th Infantry Regiment Fort Riley, Kansas (July 1950 – June 1952); deployed to Okinawa Japan and was assigned to the 29th Infantry Regiment and promoted to First Sergeant (June 1952- June 1954); returned to the U.S. and assigned G-3 Operations Sergeant to the 61st Armored Infantry Regiment Fort Carson, Colorado (July 1954 – May 1955); he was reassigned as SGM to the 36th Armored Infantry Battalion Fort Knox, Kentucky and promoted to Master Sergeant (May 1955 – March 1956); returned to Germany and assigned to G-3 HQ US Army Europe (March 1956 – February 1959); returned to the United States and assigned as Operations Sergeant 52nd Armored Rifle Battalion Fort Hood, Texas ( March 1959 – May 1959); he was transferred to 1st ARB, at Fort Carson Colorado (May 1959 – June 1961); assigned senior enlisted advisor Korean Military Advisory Group, Seoul, Korea. During this assignment MSG Sloan was the first American soldier to complete the Korean Army Ranger Course ( June 1961 – October 1962); assigned as intelligence NCO 3rd BDE 5th Infantry Division Fort Carson, Colorado (October 1962 – October 1965); reassigned to Korea as Intelligence Sergeant and promoted to SGT MAJOR in the 38th Infantry Division (October 1965 – October 1966); he returned to the United States and was assigned to G-3 Operations Sergeant, CGSC, Fort Leavenworth, Kansas (October 1966 – March 1969). SGM Sloan retired from the United States Army with 20 years 7 months and 10 days of loyal and dedicated service being awarded 16 medals including the bronze star.

Fred and Lillie enjoyed their retirement years at 120 Fairlane Lansing, Kansas until her death in 2007. Fred spent the remainder of his years with his children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren, and his many friends and neighbors. He enjoyed league bowling, fishing, watching western movies, and spending quality time with his family, as well as living independently the remainder of his life.

Fred Sloan is survived by his sons Gary and (Linda) Sloan of Leavenworth Kansas; Steve and (Jamie) Sloan of Raleigh, North Carolina; Jamie and (DeVonne) Sloan of Walhalla, North Dakota. And his 7 grandchildren and 11 great grandchildren. Fred was preceded in death by his loving wife Lillie Mae on April 14, 2007, and his daughter Anna Lisa Winkler (Dwight) of Neche, North Dakota on August 25th 2006.