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Read Dr. Walt’s WWII blogs
February 24, 2024
Young men made many many discoveries in the first few days of combat, about war, about themselves, and about others on the front line in World […]
February 23, 2024
The following night in shivering rain, Phil accompanied his men in his A&P platoon on his first mission to the front lines in World War II: […]
February 22, 2024
Ross Calvert, Phil’s good friend from Officer Candidate School two years before, walked him into the building, where Phil’s men rose to attention. “At ease!” Ross […]
February 21, 2024
In the middle of February, the weather turned rainy, and the wind was sharp and ice-cold. Phil and the other men were a miserable bunch, and […]
February 20, 2024
Phil was one of 182 men (17 officers and 165 enlisted men, including men returning from the hospital) who received slips indicating they would be replacements […]
February 19, 2024
On February 19, 1944, Phil received his orders to report to the 30th Infantry Regiment on the Anzio Beachhead. Late that afternoon, he hopped aboard a truck […]
February 18, 2024
Phil returned the next day and began instruction with the master and one of his apprentices, Antonio, who was bilingual. “He wants you to mount one […]
February 17, 2024
After arriving on the docks at Naples, the ever-present Army 6×6 trucks were waiting to take Phil and the other second lieutenants to the Replacement Depot, […]
February 16, 2024
On February 16, 1944, the Germans had completely surrounded the Allies that were pinned down on the Anzio Beachhead — which the men quickly named ‘The […]
February 15, 2024
In Oran, Phil was among 200 infantry lieutenants who boarded the Highland Queen, a small British steamer bound for Naples, Italy. He was part of a […]