Navy Federal Credit Union

Frederick Yeager graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1940. Captured after the fall of the Philippine Islands in 1942, he spent the remainder of the war as a Prisoner of War of the Japanese. While imprisoned he learned the Russian language, generously taught by a fellow POW. After the war he earned two masters degrees and a doctorate in Political Science from Princeton University in 1959. He retired in 1969 as a U.S. Army Colonel. In retirement began teaching the Russian Language and Political Science at Rider College (now Rider University). His innovative teaching tactics earned him the distinguished teacher award from the university in 1980.

Awards Received

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Infantry)

    Regiment:

    57th Infantry Regiment (Philippine Scouts)

    Action Date:

    April 7 & 8, 1942

    War Department, General Orders No. 69 (July 1946)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major (Infantry) Frederick Jacob Yeager (ASN: 0-22969), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving as Commanding Officer of Company A, 57th Infantry Regiment (Philippine Scouts), in action at Bataan, Philippine Islands, on 7 and 8 April 1942. During an ordered withdrawal, Major Yeager saw a soldier severely wounded by a mortar fragment, who had been overlooked in the evacuation of casualties. Without regard for his own safety and under heavy enemy mortar and rifle fire, Major Yeager returned to the wounded soldier and carried him away from danger. Again, on 8 April, while under heavy enemy fire, Major Yeager lifted a soldier who had fainted and carried him along a jungle trail to a place of safety. The gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty demonstrated by Major Yeager, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Colonel (Infantry)

    Division:

    Army War College

    Action Date:

    1967 – 1969

    United States Military Academy Register of Graduates

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Colonel (Infantry) Frederick Jacob Yeager (ASN: 0-22969), United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States with the Army War College from 1967 to 1969.

  • Prisoner of War Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Major (Infantry)

    Division:

    Prisoner of War (Philippine Islands)

    Action Date:

    1942 – 1945

    Major (Infantry) Frederick Jacob Yeager (ASN: 0-22969), United States Army, was captured by the Japanese after the fall the Philippine Islands in 1942, and was held as a Prisoner of War until his return to U.S. Military control at the end of hostilities in 1945.