Lieutenant William Fremgen, commanding officer, on the bridge of Lapwing, 23 January 1919. Fremgen, a career Navy man, was born in the Brooklyn Manor neighborhood of Queens, New York, 10 February 1877, the first native born son of a French father and a German mother. Enlisting in the Navy 16 January 1894, Fremgen served on various naval vessels early in his career. As an Apprentice 1st Class, he was present on the bridge of Olympia (Cruiser No. 6) at the battle of Manila Bay, 01 May 1898. Appointed a Warrant Boatswain while serving aboard Maine (Battleship No. 10), 31 January 1907, Fremgen next served aboard Chattanooga (Cruiser No. 16) 1908-1909 and Galveston (Cruiser No. 17), 1909-1911, before moving ashore at Naval Station Newport, 1910-1912. In August 1912, he was assigned to destroyer tender Dixie, where he was appointed a Chief Boatswain, 31 January 1913. From 1915, he served at Boston Navy Yard, and from 09 September 1916, as Custodian of Naval Property and officer-in-charge, Naval Radio Station, San Juan. Appointed a temporary Ensign 01 July 1917, Fremgen returned stateside, serving at Receiving Ship, New York from 29 August 1917 before taking up duties associated with the fitting out of Lapwing from 08 February 1918. He served as that vessel's first commanding officer during the sweeping of the North Sea Barrage, for which performance of duty he received the Navy Cross. Postwar he served in the Captain of the Yard's office at Boston Navy Yard, before being assigned to Naval Station Guantanamo Bay, where he was officer-in-charge of the Receiving Barracks there. In June 1924, Fremgen returned to Boston, where he served at the Receiving Ship until retiring, 01 July 1927. Initially settling post-retirement in St. Johnsbury, Vermont, he later moved to Glendale, California, where he died 17 April 1944. Married twice, he had one daughter. He is buried in St. Johnsbury.
Naval History & Heritage Command photo NH 49434