Capturing WWII Stories, One Veteran at a Time
Eileen Zeissig served as an Army nurse in Europe during WWII. Last week, Daniel Beals of WPTA21 in Ft Wayne, Indiana, posted an excellent piece on his show, ’21 Country’ about 100-year-old World War II Army nurse Eileen Zeissig. He interviewed her a few days prior, then put the story together with pictures of her... Continue Reading →
Women who served in various military branches are featured in the book-- L-R: Coast Guard SPAR, Women's Air Service Pilots (WASP), Army Nurse Corps (ANC). It’s been a busy week with three exciting events! All were to let people know about my new book, Born To Be Soldiers: Those Plucky Women of World War II.... Continue Reading →
'Born To Be Soldiers: Those Plucky Women of World War II contains stories of women who served in Army, Navy, Coast Guard, Army Air Corps. It will be available on Amazon on Feb 28. The ladies deserve their due! Here is the beautiful cover for my new book: Born To Be Soldiers: Those Plucky Women... Continue Reading →
The USS ARIZONA burns after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, December 7, 1941, National Archives A 5-Part Series Commemorating the 80th Anniversary of the Attack on Pearl Harbor On December 7, 1944, as dawn crested, the Japanese Imperial Navy fleet’s aircraft carriers continued their journey from the North Pacific south toward their prey. Approximately... Continue Reading →
Denny Butler served as a mortar gunner in Europe. I met WWII vet Dennis Butler several years ago through a friend’s recommendation – and am I glad for the opportunity to interview him! Not only did Denny (his preferred nickname) have an amazing story of survival in Europe, but he had a photo album of... Continue Reading →
Eileen Stuckey Zeissig Served as an Army Nurse During World War II Among the 260 World War II veterans I’ve interviewed, 22 were females. It was always a thrill to discover how these young women volunteered to serve in various military branches. 'They Did It for Honor: Stories of American WWII Veterans' is available on... Continue Reading →
Daniel Boone Frazier served as an 'Iron Man of Metz.' I met Daniel Boone Frazier through the recommendation of a friend. My husband and I enjoyed speaking with Mr. Frazier in his home and hearing his story about being part of the ‘Iron Men of Metz.’ The story below explains this was the nickname of... Continue Reading →
Battle of the Bulge: Stories From Those Who Fought and Survived is available on Amazon. It’s here! The book that has taken me the longest to write -- three years – arrived in a mighty shipment on Friday! Battle of the Bulge: Stories From Those Who Fought and Survived released on Amazon on July 1.... Continue Reading →
Dandi Daley Mackall's novel, With Love Wherever You Are, is based on her parents' love story. I first met Dandi Daley Mackall around 2003 at the Mount Hermon Christian Writers Conference in California. She taught a class on children’s writing. The thought of writing for children had never entered my mind, even though I had... Continue Reading →
Happy Father’s Day! Is it any wonder I love horses with this photo of me and Dad? It’s great to live in a country that honors its fathers. Here is one of my favorite photos of me with my dad as a little girl. I have always loved horses and I’m sure it was Dad’s... Continue Reading →
American flag on display at the Indiana War Memorial Museum. I’m proud to be an American and I’m proud of our American flag. It is fitting that we should celebrate it on its own special day. An American flag has flown on the front of our home since we've lived here for 31 years. You... Continue Reading →
Leo Scheer served as a naval corpsman (medic) at Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944 Since interviewing 260 World War II veterans over the past 10 years, I’ve had the opportunity to talk with several who were part of that momentous military plan. Leo Scheer’s story has always fascinated me. I met Leo early in... Continue Reading →
I’m delighted to feature a guest host today. Joy Neal Kidney is the author of Leora’s Letters: The Story of Love and Loss for an Iowa Family During World War II. She is the oldest granddaughter of the book’s heroine, Leora Wilson. It is about a family who had five sons in the military during... Continue Reading →
This month is full of great reasons to honor people. First, it is Women’s History Month. Each week I’m posting about four interesting World War II females who volunteered to serve our country. Each branch of the American military recognizes Medal of Honor recipients. Coast Guard and Marines observe the Navy cross. Today is NATIONAL... Continue Reading →
Betty White Dybbro volunteered to serve in the WASP program during WWII. She was one of just over 1,000 women to fly American military aircraft -- a first in the history of the world. In keeping with my weekly posts this March about military women during World War II, I’m including an excerpted story of... Continue Reading →
Polly Smith volunteered for the WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service) during WWII to help her country. This story is taken from my new book, We Defended Freedom: Adventures of WWII Veterans. Thanks to all of our vets for your service to our country. Pauline ‘Polly’ Babbitt was a student at Nevada High School... Continue Reading →
In honor of Women’s History Month I’ll post an excerpted story about female World War II vets I’ve interviewed and written about each Sunday. Remember, they all volunteered to join that ‘man’s war’ from 1941-1945. Thanks to all of our veterans! Charlotte Koch's parents thought the Army would teach her to take orders. After Japanese... Continue Reading →
Bill Ingram was 17 years old when he survived the sinking of the USS Houston in the Java Sea on Feb. 28, 1942 -- only to be captured by Japanese forces. The following is an excerpt from my new book, Captured: Stories of American World War II Prisoners of War: On February 28, 1942, William... Continue Reading →
Hershel ‘Woody’ Williams used a flamethrower on Iwo Jima to enable Allied troops to drive inland. His efforts caused him to receive the Medal of Honor. Today is the 76th anniversary of the Allied invasion of the island of Iwo Jima in the South Pacific. Several veterans I’ve interviewed served there. One of them, Hershel... Continue Reading →
As a refugee, Johannes Klaffke was forced to leave many things behind, including the few childhood photos his family possessed. It's dreadful to experience war, but how much worse for children. Johannes Klaffke's entire story is told in It Was Our War Too: Youth in the Shadows of WWII While interviewing WWII vets over a... Continue Reading →
Bart Corricelli served as a Marine at Iwo Jima during WWII. This week's WWII Vet profile is Bart Corricelli. I met Bart a few years ago when he was recommended to me by his friend, Charlie Conrad. Charlie was a WWII vet who served in the Navy. Each time I visited Charlie, he'd say, "You... Continue Reading →
To provide role models of brave Americans each week I will introduce a World War II Veteran from my books who served this country. The book where his/her story is profiled will be listed. In honor of International Holocaust Remembrance Day (January 27, 2021) —a global day of commemoration to honor victims of the Holocaust— I... Continue Reading →
Thanks to all of our military veterans! We appreciate your service! Thanks to all military veterans who have served our country. Today is your day! Please know we appreciate you all year. I’m giving away my 4 Ebooks about World War II at Amazon yesterday and today. You don't have to be a veteran to... Continue Reading →
My first book of Vietnam War veteran stories has just released! 'Voices From Vietnam: Stories of War' is available on Amazon. Voices from Vietnam: Stories of War is a compilation of 18 stories from male veterans, including those who fought in the Tet Offensive, served as a tunnel rat, flew a damaged chopper carrying wounded... Continue Reading →
September 18 was the Air Force’s 75th birthday. It was officially formed in 1947, two years after WWII ended. During World War II, the aviation branch of the military was an arm of the Army. It was called at different times the Army Air Corps and Army Air Force. As a proud supporter of our... Continue Reading →
Today, we honor those Americans who have suffered at the hands of their enemies as prisoners of war or death. I've written stories about both groups. They are always a challenge as to be a part of these unique groups would be terrible. But it's necessary for every American to know what they experienced in... Continue Reading →
Hugh Wallis poses with his nephew, dressed similarly, in paratrooper garb. In honor of National Airborne Day celebrated on August 16th annually, I’m posting a story about Hugh Wallis from my book 'They Did It for Honor: Stories of American WWII Veterans.' I’ve visited him several times and am always blessed by his kind support... Continue Reading →
Bill Current served aboard an LST in the Pacific. Today’s story is taken from Book 3 in my World War II Legacies series: We Gave Our Best: American WWII Veterans Tell Their Stories. Note: The books do not have to be read in order. Each of the four books in the series are filled with... Continue Reading →
Whew! The last couple of weeks have been fantastic with family home to celebrate our 42nd wedding anniversary. I’ve never regretted marrying John in 1980. He’s always been such a blessing to me and our children. ** Jay Wertz and I stand at our booth filled with WWII books we've authored. Another highlight was attending... Continue Reading →
I met Francis, or ‘Link’ as he preferred to be called, Holmes in his nursing home around 2012. This was early in my interviews with 260 World War II veterans so I don't recall who told me about him. He was happy to tell about his years as a sailor in World War II. I... Continue Reading →
I met Robert Kreider, World War II veteran with the Army Air Corps, through a mutual friend. Chris Jones had known him since she had been a child as the two families spent much time together. He lived an hour away so we visited a couple of times when I was in the area. He... Continue Reading →
Today I was reminded of the recent birthday of a veteran from one of my books. Harold Bradley was a farmer from Elmore City, Oklahoma, when he was drafted into the Army. He fought with the 740th Tank Battalion in the Ardennes Forest during the Battle of the Bulge. Bradley survived the war and years... Continue Reading →
For this week’s World War II veteran highlight I’m going back to my first book, We Fought to Win: American WWII Veterans Share Their Stories. It is available in print and Kindle. I met Roger Myers at the Fort Wayne Airport in 2013. We had made an appointment for his interview at the airport. At... Continue Reading →
Writing of Kayleen Reusser 