Fellman, Marvin (1919-2012)

https://reflections.mndigital.org/catalog/stc:8600#/kaltura_audio

Biographical Information: Marvin R. Fellman was born in Red Lake, Minnesota, on November 15, 1919 and raised in Pipestone County, Minnesota. After graduating from Pipestone High School in 1937, Fellman went to Macalester College for a year and a half when he was drafted in the United States Army. He was assigned into the 82nd Airborne in the European theater, where he participated in the invasion of Holland, the Battle of the Bulge, and the liberation of the Wobbelin concentration camp. In 1949, Fellman joined the Minnesota Army National Guard, where he would serve as a Battery commander of the 47th Division during the Korean Conflict. He received many awards and decorations for his military service including the Purple Heart, Army Occupation Medal (German), European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal, Army Reserve Component Achievement Medal, and the Minnesota Medal of Merit. Fellman married his wife, Marjorie, and had five daughters. Fellman died in September 2012.

Transcript Summary: Marvin R. Fellman described his experiences as an infantryman in the United States Army during World War II. After graduating from Pipestone High School in 1937, Fellman went to Macalester College for a year and a half, until he was drafted in the United States Army. He was assigned into the 82nd Airborne in the European theater. Fellman described his combat experience in Normandy, the invasion of Holland, and the Battle of the Bulge. He discussed his participation in liberation of the Wobbelin concentration camp and his perceptions of the German people. After the war, he and his infantrymen marched in the New York City victory parade in 1946. In 1949, Fellman joined the Minnesota Army National Guard, where he would serve as a battery commander of the 47th Division during the Korean Conflict. Lastly, Fellman discussed his thoughts and feelings toward the Korean Conflict and the Vietnam War.

Interview by David Overy