Unfinished Journey: A World War II Remembrance - Hardcover

Redmann, Kerry P.

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 1592287611 ISBN 13: 9781592287611

Publisher: Lyons Pr, 2006

Synopsis

The story of Unfinished Journey centers around the letters of Morris B. Redmann Jr., written home to his parents and family from October 20, 1943, through January 11, 1945. He was killed in action on January 14, 1945, during the Battle of the Bulge--the largest land battle ever fought by American troops in the history of the United States Army. These letters, meticulously preserved in old shoeboxes and stowed away in the attic of his parents'' home for decades, are the backbone of Morris Redmann''s journey in the military. They survived when the soldier did not.

Through these letters, follow the ups and downs of this young soldier''s life. From the rigors of basic training, to his being buried alive by a tank in his foxhole, to the experience of an enjoyable evening--dining on steak and cognac--shared with a large French family near the German border, before having to return to the snow-covered fields of Europe''s harshest winter in fifty years.

The reader becomes acutely familiar with Morris''s life and philosophies, as expressed by the unusually mature young man with great strength of character. He is buried in the Luxembourg American Military Cemetery at Hamm, Plot H, Row 1, Grave 20.

About this title

About the Author

Kerry Redmann is one of Morris B. Redmann Jr.'s eight younger brothers. The book's original purpose was for the enlightenment of two of Morris's youngest brothers, who--at ages three and four years, respectively--did not understand the significance of his absence from home. The author was fourteen years old when Morris left for the military; he now lives in Covington, Louisiana.

From the Back Cover

Morris Redmann was an exceptional young man. He graduated from college at the age of eighteen and had begun law school when his country called him to war. The year was 1943. Morris did not hesitate. From his first day of training at Camp Beauregard, Louisiana, to the frontlines in France, he sent letters home without fail. These letters, from a young infantryman in the 94th division, are a daily account of the rigors of training and of life in battle during Europe's harshest winter in fifty years. Morris was a prolific and brilliant letter-writer. His intelligence and integrity shine on every page. Through these letters, Morris lives on as a beacon of faith and courage.
Morris's young life was filled with promise, but this promise was not to be fulfilled. His last letter to his parents was written in January 1945. During the Battle of the Bulge, a German artillery shell struck and killed him instantly. He was nineteen years old.
Morris had grown up in a large, devoted family in New Orleans. He was the beloved oldest child of ten. His letters were meticulously kept in shoeboxes and stowed away in the attic. Upon his parents' deaths, Kerry Redmann, one of Morris's younger brothers, became the keeper of these letters.
Kerry, with the encouragement of esteemed historian Stephen Ambrose, compiled Morris's letters into a volume that is both a testimony to one man's trials of war and a memorial for all the brave soldiers who have lost their lives for their country.
Morris Redmann is buried in the Luxembourg American Military Cemetery at Hamm, Luxembourg. However, his life will not be lost to the annals of time. His letters survived when the soldier did not. His Unfinished Journey will now be traveled by all readers of this fascinating historical record and will continue to enlighten for generations to come.

Edition details

• Publisher: Lyons Pr
• Publication date: 2006
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 1592287611
• ISBN 13: 9781592287611
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 289