The author:

The stories my father shared when I was a very young man began my journey into the history of World War II. Inspired by Dad’s service in the European Theater of that conflict, I searched for books and articles that aided my understanding of the global struggle. Well-crafted accounts of American involvement and sacrifice during the war and the overarching story of good prevailing over evil are compelling. As I read, I experienced a growing respect for and appreciation of Dad’s journey through that history-transforming clash of ideologies. Admittedly, collecting the facts needed to provide the context and accuracy to his remarkable story delayed my writing of his biography. Nevertheless, I found gathering the required historical data and especially pouring through Mom and Dad’s letters and his interview transcript a thoroughly enjoyable, revealing, and profoundly rewarding process. It has been an emotional journey. I now know my parents so much better and greatly admire the good people they were. This project would have never come to fruition without a dedicated team, as evidenced in these acknowledgments.

The desktop publisher, editor, and website designer:

I wish to express my gratitude to my sister, Cheryl Davis, who has been the devoted caretaker of our parents’ letters, our father’s uniform, memorabilia, and his medals since my mother’s death. Her patience with my many changes to the manuscript was remarkable and deeply appreciated. Her willingness to attend to details beyond count helped create this work. Without her graphic design, editing, and desktop publishing background, this effort might have been futile.

The map designer and artist:

Sincere appreciation also goes out to my talented daughter, Leslie Rowe. Her thorough and thoughtful suggestions on Dad’s story were invaluable. Having mastered the necessary software, her self-created maps of “Doc’s” WWII journey add life, context, and richness to her grandfather’s story. Her maps testify to the enormity of the three-year journey he took. She, too, demonstrated infinite patience with my never-ending “tweaks” to the maps. I see a book of her own in the future.

The transcriptionist of “Doc’s” spoken and recorded words:

To Pamela, my wife and ever-patient partner in life, I am deeply grateful for your tolerating the countless days I spent hidden away in my office. The innumerable hours you spent transcribing Dad’s spoken words were essential to this book’s existence and content. His story would have been so much less without the personal memories and oral recollections of “Doc” Rowe.