March 15, 2018
By: Dwayne Page
Family and friends joined twins Edward and Edsel Frazier, both World War II veterans, in the celebration of their 92nd birthday during a lunch at Patty’s Restaurant Tuesday.
Each received a letter from Congressman Jim Cooper congratulating them and both are to be recognized with resolutions commemorating their birthday from state lawmakers.
The letters from Congressman Cooper state “It gives me great pleasure to extend my greetings and congratulations to you on the occasion of your 92nd birthday. Reaching 92 years is a tremendous milestone and I am certain that you have touched and enriched countless lives along the way.
You have seen this country change and have helped to prepare the next generation for the 21st Century. I commend you on your long life, your good work, and for sharing your wisdom with generations that followed your own. Your family is privileged to have you in their lives, and we are all very proud of you.
As you celebrate with family and friends, know that I join with citizens from throughout the Fifth Congressional District of Tennessee in saluting you and wishing you a very happy birthday.
Again, congratulations on your very special day,” wrote Congressman Cooper.
Edward and Edsel were born to Hassie and Robert Lee Frazier on Dry Creek in DeKalb County on March 13, 1926.
The Frazier brother twins were inducted at Camp Forrest, Tennessee during World War II at 18 years of age. Edward and Edsel both started in the 99th Army Infantry Division and served with General Hodges and General George Patton while crossing the Blue Danube. The twins walked across the bridge at the landing of Normandy in the icy cold water. Their boots were frozen along with the rest of them.
Both have stories about the extreme weather conditions and surviving the war with Edward even going into an old farm house to stay next to a cow to try and get warm. Edward still credits that cow with saving his life after he was separated from the others in his platoon. The other soldiers in the company that night thought he was dead when he turned up missing, but had a good laugh when he finally caught up. These are a few of the memories they love to share, but there were many memories too painful to relay. Edward always talks about seeing so much hunger and to this day has trouble seeing people throw their food away wastefully. Both of the guys couldn’t wait to get back to their home state of Tennessee after the war and to roam in the hills of Dry Creek where they were both born.
Their Rank: Private 1st Class; Edward was recommended for Master Sergeant at the end of the war, but was too anxious to return home to stay in the army. He recalls the joy when told the war was over and everyone was returning home.
Edward and Edsel earned various medals including two battle stars, I Eastern Rhine, 1 European Theatre-medals, along with other awards. During the war, Edsel was hospitalized while Edward’s troop moved on so the guys were separated briefly during the war. The men were discharged in Fort Logan, Colorado in Denver at the end of the war.
A reporter talked to the guys and Edward laughingly told him that they were named by their father who loved his old Model T so much he named them after the Ford’s, Henry Edsel and Henry Edward. This was picked up by the AP Wire and sent all across the U.S. about the Ford Twins.
Through the years, the guys have both contributed much to the community with Edward being active in politics and serving on numerous county committees as well as being elected Mayor of Smithville for two terms. Edsel was a U.S. Postal employee and retired from that position and is also a member of the Shriners. Both have played key positions with their local VFW and American Legion organizations with Edward serving as Commander for many years.