There is a
part of World War II that, to the best of my knowledge, has not been told. I
cannot substantiate the information that follows, since our government
insists that my records were destroyed in the fire that occurred at the St.
Louis Record Center on July 17, 1973. However, I was told by Senator Thomas
Eagleton that even if there had not been a fire, my records would never have
been released, as our government would never admit they had engaged in such
activities.I
started writing this autobiography after being urged by my wife, children
and grandchildren to tell them about my war experiences. When I told them
that my war record was declared secret and was only to be released after
thirty-five years, they insisted that they be told, especially since not
only thirty-five, but forty-five years had already passed. My war record has
never been released to this day. I never talked about the war because there
was not too much I really wanted to talk about. Besides, I was kind of happy
with the secrecy clause because I was not too certain as to how anyone, and
especially a prospective bride and her parents, might view my wartime
capabilities. So what follows is an attempt to fulfill the wishes of my
family, since I love all of them and my wife very, very much. Initially my
oldest son hired a professional to interview and record my experiences on
tape. This interview lasted three hours and I found it very difficult to
verbally put my experiences into words. My daughter suggested that trying to
put everything down on paper might be easier for me, and so what follows is
all that I can remember.
Part One
I was a gymnast
in high school and college. I also studied French and German for three years
each, and took Judo lessons while attending Washington University in St.
Louis.
Part Two
From the
Everglades, I went to England, still with the medical unit attached to
Headquarters of the 4th Infantry Division.
Part Three
It seemed I
barely had time to feel settled in my new home, the Quonset hut, when I
received orders that sent me to someplace in Scotland for training with the
British Commandos.
Part Four
And so I began
my first mission, which was assigned by one of General Donovan’s adjutants.
I parachuted into Germany at night, landing in an open field not far from a
wooded area.
Part Five
I requested
that I be allowed to participate in the Normandy Invasion, which was given
the code name “Operation Overlord.”
Part Six
Just as General
Roosevelt had stated, about two weeks after meeting him on Utah Beach I was
told to report to the 4th Infantry Headquarters, where I received my next
assignment.
Part Seven
The day the war
in Europe ended, I was called into headquarters and told my brother’s plane
had been shot down over the southern part of Japan, while on what was to be
his last mission. |
