LTC Frederick W. Sova Jr. passed away on November 7, 2017. He was born in Lansing, MI. on March 26, 1933, the first child of Frederick and Mary Sova. He graduated from Lansing Eastern High School in the Class of June 1951. On September of 1951, He entered Michigan State University and graduated 4 years later with a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Commission as Second Lieutenant U.S. Army Armor. On November 26, 1956 he entered active military service by attending the Armored Officer Basic Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky. His first duty assigned was with the 5th Infantry Division Fort Ord, California where he trained Basic Infantry inductees. His next duty assignment was as Platoon Leader in A Company First Medium Tan Battalion,, 33rd Armor, 3rd Armored Division, Gelnhausen, Germany. After a promotion to Captain he became the 3rd Armored Division liaison Officer to the German 5th Panzer Division. Returning to the U.S. in 1962 he attended and graduated from the Armored Officers Career Course at Fort Knox, Kentucky. His next assignment was with the 1st Armored Division at Fort Hood, Texas where he was Commanding Officer B Troop 1st Armored Division, 1st Squadron, 1st Cavalry. After a 12 week course of the Vietnamese language at the Defense Department language at the Defense Department Language School, Monterey, California, he was assigned as MACV advisor and Airbase Internal Security Officer at Ton Sun Nhut Air Base, Vietnam. Returning to the U.S. he became an instructor and operations officer in the Officers Department of the U.S. Army Southeast Signal School, Fort Gordon, Georgia. Returning to Vietnam (2nd tour0 he as assigned to the 2nd Brigade headquarters 4th Infantry Division near Plekiu Vietnam. In 1968 he was assigned as Chief-Counterintelligence & Security IFFV G-2 Na Trang Vietnam. Returning to the U.S. he was assigned to Reserve Officer Training Corps Instructor Group at Northeast Missouri State University where he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel. His military decorations and awards include the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star Medal, Army Commendation Medal and two bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, national Defense Medal, U.S. Service in Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Bronze palm. He was a life time member of the Disabled American Veterans Association and also a member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and the American Legion.
After leaving active military service Fred became an employee of the U.S. Postal Service where he was an elected official (Clerk Craft Director and Trustee) of the Central Michigan Area Local of the American Postal Worker Union. He retired from the U.S. Postal Service on October 2, 1992 with a combined 36 years of service to the Government of the United States of America. In retirement Fred became an avid supporter of MSU athletics holding season tickets in football, basketball, and hockey for many years. He was a frequent caller on local sports talk radio.
He is survived by one brother, John D. Sova of Lansing; 2 sisters, Mary M. Sova of Lansing and Mrs. Eunice Traill of Grand Ledge, MI. One Nephew; Dr. Mark Traill of Rockford, IL. One niece, Mrs. Kevin Crosser (Michelle) of Lansing. 3 grand-nephews; Anthony Traill of Chicago, IL, Nichols Crosser of Lansing and Scottie Crosser of Lansing. 2 Grand Nieces, Mrs. Steve Spierdowis (Elizabeth) of Indianapolis IN, and Madison Marie Crosser of Lansing.
Visitation with the family will be held Thursday, November 9, 2017 from 4-8pm at Gorsline Runciman Funeral Homes 900 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held Friday, November 10, 2017 at 2pm at Church of the Resurrection 1531 E. Michigan Ave., Lansing, MI with Interment at Mount Hope Cemetery.
Condolences and memories may be shared with the family at www.grlansing.com.
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