Fred joined the United States Air Force on March 28, 1967, out of Fargo, North Dakota. He enlisted as a 90010 Medical Specialist, then became a 91530 Medical Materiel Specialist after two schools at Sheppard Air Force Base in Wichita Falls, Texas. He flew into Vietnam on November 7, 1969, and flew out of Vietnam on October 24, 1970. He continued his service in the Air Force until his retirement on March 31, 1987.
