Fred L. Meacham

“He put his business skills to use by offering a salesmanship class to his fellow prisoners, complete with a certification for completing the course. My grandfather was featured in a book, Life Behind Barbed Wire: The Secret World War II Photographs of Prisoner of War Angelo M. Spinelli.”

– Camille Jones ’16

Fred Meacham, remembered by his granddaughter, Camille Jones

Held as a prisoner of war for 30 months, Fred Meacham taught business classes to fellow prisoners.

Fred L. Meacham became one of the most prolific business leaders in Mount Olive, N.C., over the course of his life. Before he found his success, though, he gave the fight of his life in World War II.

At age 19, he was drafted while studying at the University of North Carolina. As a young man, he went off to fight in the U.S. Army. He was captured by the Germans during the battle of the Kasserine Pass during the North African campaign.

For 30 months, Meacham was held prisoner, his family unaware of his status for over a year. During this time, he became a beacon of hope to those with whom he was held prisoner. As he witnessed men struggling for their lives, he found strength in remaining a leader.

Meacham taught a course using the textbook Successful Salesmanship by Paul W. Ivey, which the YMCA had sent as part of its War Prisoners Aid program. He gave his fellow prisoners a way of continuing the American Dream while fighting for their lives thousands of miles from home.

When he found freedom after 30 months, he was able to return home and use the strength he gained from his experience to marry and raise a family with the former Mildred Flowers of Calypso, N.C. (with whom he had two sons and a daughter), and build his own business, Hasty Plumbing and Heating Company, from the ground up to find his own economic success.

Meacham was a longtime, active member of the Mount Olive United Methodist Church. He passed away at just 53 years old in 1972 from brain cancer. However, his passion for business, economic growth, and his dedication to his community and family still carries on to this day.