I started this site two years ago [with help]. Terry's secretary typed all the letters
on her lunch break that saved me at least five years of work. Thanks again Dolores. I also put in many links so make
sure you go through all of them because that's a very important part of story and world war II .
When you think you're having problems just think of cass -- her brother-in-law killed, husband missing
in action, the other brother-in-law flying missions on a B-17 and her other brother in the army. Cass had two children
at that time, Kathy, a year & half, and Carol, only five months old, and was back living with her parents. Dutch
left a wife with two children he loved dearly and wasn't even able to bring the baby [Carol ] home from the hospital. Dutch
went over to north Africa in November 1943 after only six months of training. He got more training in
North Africa preparing to fight in the Italian campaign. Dutch went to Italy in early Jan.and was captured
Jan 21 1944. I believe he only spent a week fighting the Germans. At that time, he had only eight months
of service I heard when the commander said who wants to go to the cassino, Dutch was first with his hands
up jumping up and down saying me- me - All kidding aside, go to the links on Battle at Cassino. Dutch
was one of the first hundred of the troops of the 36th to get over the the river and the rest of the 36st failed
-- they couldn't make it because the Germans blew up the bridges and the small boats leaving only about a hundred
to fight 1,000 Germans. Also, go to Rudy's room and check out his service record and Eric's epic on the USS
McKean -- the day the Hildenbrands lost a limb from family tree. I know some things are confusing because
i also get confused. But basically, Dutch was in basic training from June to November 1943; from Nov.1943 to Dec
1943 he was in North Africa; from Jan.1 1944 to Jan. 21 Italy, and then was captured on January 21, 1944. During Feb.
1944, all Cass knew was that he was missing in action. Cass found out he was captured in March 1944.
Dutch was liberated in April 1945, and discharged in Oct 1945.
P.S. I personally thank him for SURVIVING THE WAR so his tree can florish.
The THE LONE WOLF [Formally THE GODFATHER]
