Posted 5 days ago
krysciobrad
(190 items)
Cleaned out a storage unit last week. There was a large cedar chest with these war momentous. Stacks upon stacks of experiences from the brutal Italian Front or Forgotten Front. These letters follow Anthony W. Roth from Milwaukee WI. He was part of the 91st Infantry Division 361st Infantry Regiment Co.”B”. From the moment he leaves for Camp White to VE-Day. The letters are all to his sweetheart and contain unfiltered raw emotions he felt while in battle. Letters of getting wounded by a German shell after the taking of Rome, and receiving the Purple Heart. He shares mountain warfare experiences with the 10th Mountain Division, talks about the loss of his captain and the “old dogs” of his company, frustration with the new replacements, being shelled on the mountains, his views on the Red Army taking berlin and hopeful for the possibility they’d help the US defeat Japan, the fighting in France, and so much more. I haven't even read all the letters, I read about half. The Purple Heart remains complete with its original coffin box, his dog tag, camp white patch, and numerous photos he took throughout Italy. Truly a gold mine of historical accounts about Americas Forgotten Front in WWII overshadowed by D-Day and the Pacific.
Very cool..but should be returned to the family.
nice find, I agree with dav2no1
No, pass it on to a historian if you wish not to be the caretaker. Family had their chance. Next generation would probably put it up on E-vil bay and sell it. My experience with over 50 years dealing in these type of war relics and collections, the first thing out of every body mouth is what is it worth. If the family really gave a dam, it would not have been there in the first place.
I think the family should be given the benefit of the doubt, and an attempt made to contact them.
If the family can't be reached or doesn't care, then a historical society or museum would be good candidates.
I wish you could publish them. I think this is interesting.