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In his words: Bert Watkins takes, frees prisoners

By Laurie Watkins

Bert Watkins turned 18 in February 1943. On his birthday he registered with the draft and asked for a deferment so he could finish his senior year of high school in Bethalto.

DIGEST

  • In her words: Delrose Brueggemann tells of her brother, 'Buddy'

    Raymond F. "Buddy" Brueggemann Jr. entered the Army Specialized Training Program while a student at Cathedral High School in Belleville. After graduating, in September 1943, he was sent to the University of Wisconsin in Madison. In November 1943, his whole class was washed out and put in the infantry. Buddy then volunteered for the Rangers (comparable to the Philippine Guerillas), and was sent to Fort Benning, Ga., for basic training.

  • In his words: Leroy Fritz remembers Mama, the Bulge

    I present the following as a personal family historical narrative of my World War II years. In some ways it parallels a letter by a relative of mine named George Fritz who served in the Union Army in 1863 prior to the Battle of Vicksburg. He wrote a detailed letter talking about his feelings prior to that great battle in Civil War history.

  • In his words: Don Porter flies into the Imphal Valley

    I was drafted in 1942 and sent to Jefferson Barracks in St. Louis.





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