Merrill DeWald, 2007
Branch of Service: U.S. Army
Highest Rank: Sergeant
Military Service: Drafted, 1942 - 1945
Listen to the following sections by scrolling forward to the timecode.
0:00 - Drafted
2:49 - Brothers in the military also
3:27 - Memories of Pearl Harbor and training
6:38 - Landed in England; waterproofed vehicles with cosmoline grease
8:28 - Utah Beach (D-Day+1); fighting; dead soldiers; plans going down in the water; must have humor or go nuts; fighting in Germany
14:53 - Food during the war; K and C Rations; fishing with grenades; cooking in helmets
19:39 - Letters to wife; a daughter born during the war; whisky in the mail from wife
22:15 - Feet issues (wet and cold)
25:11 - Feelings about being in the war
25:55 - Rank and pay during the war
28:27 - Life after the war
30:04 - Expeiences in war; friendly fire
This story was recorded at an SDPB event in Wagner, SD.
Images Provided by Merrill DeWald
Book Merrill DeWald received from the U. S. Army after WWII
Merrill DeWald commented, "I can still remember walking by this German soldier. His shoes were still smoking!" (Photo from Mission Accomplished, 343rd F.A.BN.)
Merrill DeWald was shot at by this German plane before it was hit by American artillery. (Photo from Mission Accomplished, 343rd F.A.BN.)
Merrill DeWald witnessed the destruction of war; he walked by this horrible scene during WWII. (Photo from Mission Accomplished, 343rd F.A.BN.
The 90th "Tough 'Ombres" Division (History of the 90th Division, provided by Merrill DeWald)
Dakota Digest - WWII Veteran Merrill DeWald, 2007
