Conrad Friend

Conrad Friend, 91, died December 14, 2010, at Robert Dole VA Center in Wichita. Conrad was born December 3rd, 1919 in Independence Missouri, the youngest of 6 children of Charles and Jessie (Crump) Friend. Conrad moved with his family to Kansas in 1920 and grew up in the Chautauqua area where he enjoyed the outdoors. In July of 1836 Connie enlisted in the Civilian Conservation Corps and served until March of 1939. In November of 1941 at age 21 he joined the U. S. Army Aviation Engineers and served 4 years as a combat engineer. Connie was a member of the 815th Engineering Battalion. After training in the U.S. his unit shipped out to England and they were among the first U.S. troops to arrive (Jun 1942). That fall the three best engineering battalions were selected to participate in the invasion of Africa (8 Nov 1942). The 815th landed at Oran as part of Operation Torch’s center invasion force and performed airfield repair and construction tasks. The 815th Engineer Aviation Battalion would go on to participate in seven African and European military campaigns: Algeria (Nov 1942), Tunisia (Nov 1942 – May 1942), Sicily (Jul 1943 – Aug 1943), Naples-Foggia (Sep 1943 – Jan 1944), Anzio (Jan 1944 – May 1944), Rome-Arno (Jan 1944 – Sep 1944), Northern Apennines (Sep 1944 – Apr 1945), and support of the Air Offensive of Europe. Conrad was wounded twice and was awarded European-African-Middle Eastern Theater Service Metal, the American Defense Service Medal, five overseas Service Bars and the Good Conduct Medal; His unit received seven bronze stars. After the war Conrad returned to Wichita. He married Doris Jean Hoffman on the 16th of August, 1945 and they had three children: Patricia, David, and Joyce. Doris and Conrad divorced. Jean died June 1994 and David died April 1996. On November 17th, 1973 Conrad married Marjorie (Smith) Garner. Marjorie had three children from a previous marriage: Roger,James,and Earl. James died November 2000,Earl died December 2009 and Marjorie died February of 2010. Conrad was a carpenter by trade and worked construction all of his life. He was an active member of the Community of Christ church and helped in the construction of the building located on South Webb road. He enjoyed hunting, fishing and gardening. Conrad is survived by two children, Joyce Dunn of Dimondale, Michigan and Patricia Slape of Westminster Colorado and one step-child Roger Garner of Richmond Virginia. All of Conrad’s brother and sisters have preceded him in death. One sister-in-law survives, Ruby Friend of Urich Missouri. Services will be held on December 20, at 11:00 am at the Community of Christ church located on South Webb road. Full Military Internment services will be conducted at Reflection Pointe Cemetery, 3201 South Webb road immediately following the service. The family would like to thank the Robert Dole V.A. Hospice team for the kind, compassionate care they gave Connie.