Obituary by his son, Michael “Spike” Newgren who came home to Fargo to care for his dad, when things took turns for the worse a few years ago. “Connie” raised a bright, educated son who had an illustrious career at some of the finest newspapers in the country. He was his son’s hero.
Conrad Newgren was a bona fide World War II hero.
He was 93.
There was a time when my father was well-known in the F-M area.
He was financial secretary and business agent for the painters and paper-hangers union for 25 years.
He served on Fargo’s fine-arts council, appointed by then-Mayor Herschel Lashkowitz.
He donated his time and materials to help build the Fargo-Moorhead Community Theater at Island Park.
He was active in Democratic political circles, working on the campaigns of Lashkowitz, North Dakota Gov. Bill Guy and U.S. Sen. Quentin Burdick of North Dakota.
He was believed to have been the last surviving WWII veteran who fought shoulder to shoulder with Audie Murphy, the most-decorated U.S. service member in WWII.
They survived the bloodbath that was Anzio.
In addition to the Purple Heart and other medals, my father was bestowed the French Legion of Honor by then-President Nicolas Sarkozy of France for his valor and bravery in World War II.
The award was established in 1802 by Napoleon Bonaparte to recognize exemplary service to France.
Others who have received the honor include George Patton, Audie Murphy, Dwight Eisenhower, Colin Powell, Alexander Graham Bell, Queen Elizabeth II, Douglas MacArthur, David Patraeus, Susan B Anthony, Charles Lindbergh and William Westmoreland.
Jack Sunday had the honor to visit with Conrad in his home about his military career.
This interview was first posted in November, 2015.
Click here
to see Conrad and hear his words.
(Jack Sunday is a radio veteran with 50-years “behind the mike.” He likes to say he’s not old…just aging. Follow him on Facebook and Twitter @nodakjack. Listen weekdays, 4-6pm on KFGO.)
