This edition of Letters From War Wednesday continues with our Irish theme of the week. Many followers may not realize that Ireland actually remained neutral during World War II. However, Northern Ireland, with its ties to England, fought with the Allies. Multiple U.S. Army outfits, including the 34th Infantry Division, 8th Infantry Division and 508th [...]
Germany’s Hurtgen Forest saw some of the most brutal fighting of World War II. In fact, for the U.S., it still stands as the longest running battle in history, spanning from September 1944 to February 1945. U.S. First Army casualties topped 33,000. Tom Franks, from Wawaka, Indiana, fought in Northern Europe with Company I, 121st [...]
William “Tom” Franks from Wawaka, Indiana fought in World War II with the 121st Infantry, 8th Infantry Division. He would earn two Purple Hearts in Northern Europe–shot through the neck in Normandy and later shot in the leg in the Huertgen Forest. Remarkably, he would survive both wounds. This April 1944 note home is [...]
I think I can safely say that we’ve all been amazed by the progress of Arizona Representative, Gabrielle Giffords, in the aftermath of the shooting at Tucson. Some would call her climb thus far nothing less than a miracle. We all certainly wish her well. It got me thinking of others, that I’ve talked to [...]