"War is hell," is a phrase that we often hear. Having never personally been engaged in any kind of fighting
where I might be injured or otherwise lose my life I cannot even begin to empathize with those who have so
been engaged. I have written more than a few stories on here relating to war and wartime activities.
Having grown up in the home of a man who hoarded books -- most of which were about war and especially
WWII -- it is easy for me to appreciate the effect that war has had on history, and the influence that books
about war have had on me.
One of the books that I read as a child growing up in that vast library of books was one about a German
extermination camp at Treblinka. So far as is known, the Jewish extermination camp at Treblinka, Germany,
is the only venue where the inmates staged a revolt and overthrew their captors.
Reading about the extreme conditions of deprivation and amazing exploits of courage of those who
participated in wars did a lot to instill within me a keen appreciation for freedom and for the extreme
sacrifice that was made by others on my behalf. Oh, that today's generation could be so educated!
I recall reading about a member of the world famous 3rd Infantry Division, out of Fort Stewart, Georgia. The
3rd Division is one of the only U. S. divisions to fight against the Axis on all fronts in the European theater
and was among the first combat units to engage in offensive ground combat operations during World War
II. More than 50 medals of honor came from that one division alone.
I recall reading about one member of the division -- not a medal of honor winner -- but a highly decorated
member, nonetheless. The division had landed on the shores of North Africa, and his team found
themselves penned down on the beach by machine gun fire. Although he was assigned to sentry duty only,
and as such was not necessarily part of any direct-fighting unit, he nonetheless charged the pillbox,
chasing the gunners out into the open where they could be captured by others of his team. The member of
whom we speak continued to participate in fighting on the beach and was subsequently responsible for the
taking of numerous other prisoners. He received a scalp wound and several powder burns and other
injuries during the fighting that day.
As a member of the sentry unit, our special member was appointed the prestigious task of standing guard
for Roosevelt and Churchill during their conference in Casablanca, in 1943. In all, our special hero of whom
we write today participated in eight official combat campaigns and went on to receive numerous medals and
citations. He retired from active service in 1945 as much a hero as any of the other fighting personnel.
But he was not American. And he was not English. No, he was neither of these. He was ..., well, he was
German. Nonetheless, he lived in the United States, and upon the outbreak of war, he presented himself as
a volunteer to serve in the army of the United States. And serve he did -- quite well! He entered the
service of the American Army, and he served with honor and distinction as did so many of that generation.
What would the world be like today had it not been for the selfless courage and loyal sacrifice of those who
bravely fought in the service of mankind and for the cause of freedom? To them we owe our gratitude and
our respect. And that includes those like our hero of the moment.
Our hats off to you, Chips. You were one brave German Shepherd!
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Oak in my journal, or email me one of your own stories.
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