Capturing WWII Stories, One Veteran at a Time
Jim Wiegman witnessed the Japanese surrender aboard the USS New Mexico. On September 2, 1945, 19-year-old James Charles Wiegman was one of the few American sailors who had a bird’s eye view of the most important military events in world history. Wiegman of Fort Wayne, Indiana, was at sea aboard the battleship, USS New Mexico,... 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 →
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 →
Sam Hayward served aboard the USS Yorktown during WWII. To provide role models of brave Americans I’m introducing weekly World War II Veteran Moments. Each week I’ll present one veteran who served this country during war and the book where his/her story is profiled. Thanks to every veteran reading this for your service! Name: Sam... Continue Reading →
Charlie Conrad served on the USS Farquhar during WWII. Today is National Adoption Day in the United States. I am providing a behind-the-scenes look at the adoption of one of the 260 World War II veterans I’ve interviewed. Much of this was not printed in the book which contains his story, They Did It for... Continue Reading →
William Ingram joined the Navy at age 17. He would serve three years as a POW by the Japanese. Wow! That is some achievement! Although we are an Air Force family, I’m still proud of this strong branch of our United States military. I'm proud of every branch of our military, in fact. A book... Continue Reading →
Seventy-five years ago, on August 14, 1945, World War II came to an end when Emperor Hirohito of Japan accepted conditions of unconditional surrender to Allied forces. The following day, August 15, was officially proclaimed V-J Day (Victory in Japan) in the United States. It became a day of celebration and thanksgiving around the world.... Continue Reading →
Upon being drafted into the U.S. Navy on August 5, 1943, Gareth Wiedekehr of Berne, Indiana, attended boot camp at Great Lakes Naval Station in Illinois. He received training for Morse code at Northwestern University in Evanston, Illinois, and graduated as a Radioman 3rd class, equivalent to a sergeant in the Army. At Naval Station... Continue Reading →
This is an excerpt of my story of Dr. Justin Arata's military service -- both as a physician during WWII and later collecting data after the atomic bomb tests at Bikini Atoll. ... For Dr. Justin Arata of Fort Wayne, the most significant part of serving in the Navy during World War II occurred... Continue Reading →
This story is part of the collection in my book, It Was Our War Too: Youth in the Shadows of WWII. It reminds us that war takes a toll on those left behind. Thanks to the vets and their families reading this. When 12-year-old Joan Wojciechowski arrived home from school in late October 1944, her... Continue Reading →
