World War II
First-hand accounts of what it was like to serve in WWII.
Episodes
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World War II Shorts:
The Native American Veteran
Native Americans enlisted in large numbers during World War 2. Axel James Holmes, Sr., a member of an Ojibwe band now living on the Bois Forte reservation, joined when he was 20 years old. He reflects on his World War 2 service, first in New Guinea and then in the Philipines.
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Far from Home
When World War 2 broke out, many Americans had not traveled far from where they lived. The call to service pulled young soldiers, sailors and Marines from farms, small towns and cities and dropped them into foreign lands in Europe, Asia and North Africa. Don Wickstrom, seen here in 2014, and Bernie Lieder were among the Minnesotans who were not well-traveled when the war broke out but saw the world as a result of their military service
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The German American Soldier
Bernie Lieder was raised in a Hanover, a Minnesota town that was founded by Germans. As he grew up, he spoke German in the community and at his Lutheran church. His German language skills served him –and his country — during his service in the Army in World War 2.
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Meeting an Old Enemy
Decades after World War 2 ended, US veteran Lester Schrenk spent many hours trying to find out more about the German pilot who had the chance to shoot his plane down–but did not. Schrenk first corresponded with –and eventually traveled to Germany to meet — the enemy pilot who spared his life.
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The Jewish-American Veteran
Raised in Duluth, Sherman Garon joined the Army at 19. From the contents of his rations to fears about Hitler, veteran Sherman Garon’s Army service in Germany was complicated by his Jewish heritage.
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The Woman Veteran
Jeanne Bearmon joined the Women’s Air Corps and was stationed in London as the bombs fell during World War 2. She ultimately earned the rank of captain, but found that some of those who served under her were not prepared for a woman with rank.