I am still pretty emotional over the 5 men and this incredible research/work that Larry did. I had not yet sent Larry the Stolz documents - and last night I sent him the list and just now sent the map. The map appears to be dated March 9 1946. We can figure that some men were moved before then?
My memory was that Dad buried more than the 20 plus on the list - and after the War he got phone calls for over 2 years from the families of the fallen. The phone calls were very difficult on him he said.
We moved from NY to Fla. in 1948 - and from then on no one would have known where to find Dad.
So back to the information on these 5 men! Larry it is so incredible! You have given life back to each of them and the families they were a part of! Their poor families - parents, siblings, and everyone - never to be the same again! So tragic and so final! At least when the knock at the door and dreaded telegram arrived if it was MIA - there existed hope. But a KIA Telegram had to destroy not only the soldier but the families right along with it.
Most of these men according to your research seem to have limited chances for finding close relatives.
The information you found on Culik is quite amazing. I think he is part of my latest batch of inquiries for NARA St. Louis. Will be fascinating to see what they have on him and compare that to the huge amount that you discovered. His time near or in Zweifall, Germany is fascinating. I want to compare it to the time that the 4th Division was there because I have some stories from that period from one of the Division level Vets that I am in close contact with. Prior to Zweifall, in Bleialf, Germany, Ernest Hemingway and John Groth attached to the 4th Division.
Larry, I am still in Shock with what you did for me and these men and their families!
A HUGE Thank You!!!!!!
Jean
There are not enough ways to say THANK YOU!!!!
Jean