President Signs Legislation to Honor Courageous Pine City Marine Daniel L. Fedder

Statement

Yesterday, the President signed H.R. 3220, legislation honoring the selfless sacrifice of Pine City's Master Sergeant Daniel L. Fedder, who was killed by the blast of an improvised explosive device Aug. 27, 2010 while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. H.R. 3220 was introduced on October 14, 2011 by U.S. Representative Chip Cravaack (MN) and was co-sponsored by every Member of the Minnesota Congressional Delegation.

As enacted, this legislation designates the facility of the United States Postal Service located at 170 Evergreen Square SW in Pine City, Minnesota, as the "Master Sergeant Daniel L. Fedder Post Office."

"I extend my profound gratitude to Daniel for his heroism. My heart goes out to his parents, who raised a fine man, as well as his friends, family, and loved ones for their loss. Naming the Pine City post office in his honor is the least we can do to recognize a terrific Minnesotan who gave the ultimate sacrifice in his service to our country," said Rep. Cravaack.

Master Sgt. Fedder, who was 34 years old at the time of his death, was a 16-year veteran of the Marine Corps., with completed combat deployments to Iraq in 2004 and 2006, and an overseas deployment with the 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit in 2007. He was on his first combat tour in Afghanistan when he was lost in combat operations. Master Sgt. Daniel Fedder was assigned to the 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force out of Camp Pendleton, Calif.

His military awards and decorations include the Purple Heart, Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Navy Unit Commendation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Humanitarian Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Navy-Marine Corps Overseas Service Ribbon, Marine Security Guard Ribbon, and the NATO Medal.

Master Sgt. Daniel Fedder grew up in Pine City, Minnesota. He is survived by his parents, Robert and Jackie McKellar, who still reside in the area, and his brother, Dominick McKellar. Master Sgt. Fedder is further survived by his wife, Diana Fedder; former spouse, Susan Fedder; and his two children - daughter, Danielle, and son, Strom.

Representative Cravaack serves on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee -- where he is Vice Chair of the Aviation Subcommittee -- the Homeland Security Committee, and the Science, Space and Technology Committee. The 8th Congressional District covers 18 counties in Northeast Minnesota.

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