The Greatest Generation
Approximately every three minutes a memory of World War II with its amazing sights and sounds, terrors and triumphs, disappears. Yielding to the inalterable aging process, the men and women who fought and won the great conflict are predominately in their 90s. They are quickly dying, at the rate of approximately 555 a day, according to US Veterans Administration figures.
My father, Russell John Lengle, passed away in 1980, at the age of 62. I knew he fought in France during WW II where he was severely wounded. He never talked much about his experiences, but had a special appreciation for life. The below picture hung in his living room for 30 years.
My father, Russell John Lengle, passed away in 1980, at the age of 62. I knew he fought in France during WW II where he was severely wounded. He never talked much about his experiences, but had a special appreciation for life. The below picture hung in his living room for 30 years.
He often remarked that the picture was the best illustration of the France he visited during the war. He sang some WW II songs on walks or long car rides, like "Over There" and "The Caissons Go Rolling Along". He rooted for the Army during the traditional Army-Navy football game. Still, he never talked about the war.
After my mother and father passed away, I started to delve into their experiences during WW II, culminating in a trip to France to visit the battlefield on which he was wounded. After months of planning, and after researching his unit’s movements, I was finally ready to go.
I now possessed some vital information. He was a rifleman in the 7th Army, 44th Infantry Division, 71st Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion, Company K. He arrived in Le Havre, France on October 21, 1944 as a replacement troop. After a three day train ride to Luneville, he entered combat on November 1st.
While planning for the trip, I realized that help would be needed in Rimling, France. I had a WW II military map of the Rimling area and a photograph of Rimling taken by my father upon his return in 1968. However, I didn't speak any French! The last thing needed would be to get shot by some irate French farmer. I picked up the phone and called the Mayor's Office in Rimling. Eric Hemmert, the mayor, who speaks as little English as I do French, answered the phone, quickly it became evident we had a language barrier. He asked me to send him an email, and his daughter, Aude, would respond to me! A few days later Aude called to inquire how she could help. I explained that I was coming to Rimling and was wondering who might help me find the spot where my Dad was wounded. She volunteered herself and the mayor! She went on to say, that if we were in the area on the evening of May 7th, the town of Rimling was holding a Memorial Service for the men of the 100 and 71st Infantry Regiments that fought in Rimling. This was the first year without any US Veterans attending.
I looked at the phone in amazement, why didn't she invite me six months before? I gazed down at my 28 day itinerary, and there it was: May 7th leave Reims, arrive Rimling, late afternoon. I told her we would be at the ceremony. My father and mother often said, "the lord works in mysterious ways!"
With two weeks to go before my flight to Europe, I reviewed my Dad's pictures and records. Was there anything else to take that may help on my mission to "follow in my Dad's footsteps?" Low and behold there was! I found a piece of paper with a list of twelve men, with addresses from all over the US. It was typed on the back of my father's company's stationary. I ran over to my computer and typed Donald Bisker, Salem, MD into my Ancestry.com search engine, clicking on the Military Search.
After my mother and father passed away, I started to delve into their experiences during WW II, culminating in a trip to France to visit the battlefield on which he was wounded. After months of planning, and after researching his unit’s movements, I was finally ready to go.
I now possessed some vital information. He was a rifleman in the 7th Army, 44th Infantry Division, 71st Infantry Regiment, 3rd Battalion, Company K. He arrived in Le Havre, France on October 21, 1944 as a replacement troop. After a three day train ride to Luneville, he entered combat on November 1st.
While planning for the trip, I realized that help would be needed in Rimling, France. I had a WW II military map of the Rimling area and a photograph of Rimling taken by my father upon his return in 1968. However, I didn't speak any French! The last thing needed would be to get shot by some irate French farmer. I picked up the phone and called the Mayor's Office in Rimling. Eric Hemmert, the mayor, who speaks as little English as I do French, answered the phone, quickly it became evident we had a language barrier. He asked me to send him an email, and his daughter, Aude, would respond to me! A few days later Aude called to inquire how she could help. I explained that I was coming to Rimling and was wondering who might help me find the spot where my Dad was wounded. She volunteered herself and the mayor! She went on to say, that if we were in the area on the evening of May 7th, the town of Rimling was holding a Memorial Service for the men of the 100 and 71st Infantry Regiments that fought in Rimling. This was the first year without any US Veterans attending.
I looked at the phone in amazement, why didn't she invite me six months before? I gazed down at my 28 day itinerary, and there it was: May 7th leave Reims, arrive Rimling, late afternoon. I told her we would be at the ceremony. My father and mother often said, "the lord works in mysterious ways!"
With two weeks to go before my flight to Europe, I reviewed my Dad's pictures and records. Was there anything else to take that may help on my mission to "follow in my Dad's footsteps?" Low and behold there was! I found a piece of paper with a list of twelve men, with addresses from all over the US. It was typed on the back of my father's company's stationary. I ran over to my computer and typed Donald Bisker, Salem, MD into my Ancestry.com search engine, clicking on the Military Search.
There he was! Donald Bisker was in my father's unit; in fact the names on the paper were all in my Dad's WW II Squad! No doubt, another "the good Lord works in mysterious ways" encounter!
I didn't have much time, but I started to research and contact the living relatives of nine of the men on the list. Needless to say, explaining to people their father and/or uncle had served in my dad's Squad surprised everyone. I informed them about my planned trip to France. A few expressed interest in possibly doing the same trip next year!
It appears our fathers were similar. They never spoke about the war either. The only exception was Donald Bisker, who wrote about his experience in WW II.
As you read this remember that your father, and my father would have been standing within shouting distance! After you finish reading, you will understand why our fathers never spoke about the war. IT WAS HELL!
Thanks to Dudley Bisker for allowing this to be shared. And thanks to his father for helping us all understand what our fathers' experienced!
I didn't have much time, but I started to research and contact the living relatives of nine of the men on the list. Needless to say, explaining to people their father and/or uncle had served in my dad's Squad surprised everyone. I informed them about my planned trip to France. A few expressed interest in possibly doing the same trip next year!
It appears our fathers were similar. They never spoke about the war either. The only exception was Donald Bisker, who wrote about his experience in WW II.
As you read this remember that your father, and my father would have been standing within shouting distance! After you finish reading, you will understand why our fathers never spoke about the war. IT WAS HELL!
Thanks to Dudley Bisker for allowing this to be shared. And thanks to his father for helping us all understand what our fathers' experienced!
Click here for additional information on the Battle of Rimling. I still have three names to research. Will keep you posted on future updates!
