Completes Training in Great Lakes, IL
At Great Lakes Naval Training Center, after getting his shots and a buzz haircut, David discards his civilian attire and possessions and mails them back to Eau Claire. He is given the uniforms [...]
David Enlists in the U.S. Navy
At 18 years old, David S. Mickelson of Eau Claire, Wisconsin leaves high school to enlist in the United States Navy for a duration of two years. His enlistment papers show him standing [...]
David Sheils Mickelson’s WWII Story
Heading Back to the U.S.
On August 1st, 1945, after 736 days overseas, 417 of them on mainland Europe, Peter J. Monfre is sent to the replacement depot in Germany to prepare to head back to the United States. He leaves [...]
VE Day – Germany Surrenders
A week after Adolf Hitler commits suicide, Germany finally surrenders and the Allies celebrate Victory in Europe (VE) Day. Peter and his Company are stationed in Mühlhausen, Germany during VE [...]
Patrolling German Towns
Over the next two months, Charlie Company would travel from town to town, moving further and further towards Berlin, policing and directing traffic as they went. Cities on the way included [...]
Crossing Into Germany
250 days after landing on Omaha Beach, and after enduring the entirety of the Battle of the Bulge while in Liege, Peter and Charlie Company crossed the border and headed into Germany. Initially, [...]
Accident and Heroics on Christmas
On Christmas 1944, an army vehicle overturned & plunged into a canal. John J. Donaldson of the 509th MPs voluntarily & at great risk dove into the icy water to assist in the rescue of [...]
The 509th Executes Four German Spies
VIEWER DISCRETION ADVISED. The four spies that were caught are sent to Henri-Chapelle, Belgium and ordered to be executed by the 509th MPs. The prisoners had participated in Otto [...]
MPs in Liege Catch Four Spies
While directing traffic, an MP from the 769th MP’s named Donald E. McHenry spotted a fast-moving quarter-ton, and waved it to a stop at Liege. When Staff Sergeant Leon M. Hansen [...]