World War II, Robert Wiskur

I had only been married four months to my wife Wanda when I left Warrensburg on June 8, 1944, and went to Fort Leavenworth, Kan.

I was sworn into the Army later that evening and was issued my clothes. The next morning I boarded a troop train to Fort Blanding, Fla., and began my 16 weeks of training.

During those weeks, my first daughter, Sheryl, was born. After my training ended, I was given 30 days leave to return home before I would be shipped overseas.

On Nov. 13, 1944, I boarded a ship destined to the Mediterranean. I spent 14 days, including Thanksgiving day, on the ship before arriving in Naples, Italy.

Shortly after, I boarded a Scottish ship headed to France. Once there, I got on a train to Strausburg, France. On Jan. 24, 1945, I was sent to the front line as a replacement rifleman in the infantry. I was in Company K, 397th Regiment, 100th Division as the Battle of the Bulge was winding down.

Just before getting to the front lines, we had to leave all our clothes and our guns as we were told we would receive new ones when we reached the front line. Our wardrobe consisted of one pair of pants, one pair of itchy wool underwear, an overcoat, one pair of boots and non-insulated socks and one blanket.

My bed consisted of a brush pile covered with snow. We slept in shifts. Two hours of guard duty, followed by two hours of rest, day and night. It was just myself and one other person in the foxhole.

Because of the severe cold, I came down with a terrible cough. I had to stuff a handkerchief in my mouth to muffle the cough, so I wouldn’t attract attention in the small timber we were occupying.

Another side effect of the cold was I had to unlace my shoes almost completely to get my feet out of my boots. My toes were frozen and swollen and I almost lost them. After two or three weeks, we were allowed to go back for an ice cold shower, shave and haircut.

In the spring, the Army started our push forward. We fought to Manheim, Germany, and crossed the Rhine River on tanks on platoon bridges.

We continued on until we arrived in Hielbronn and crossed the Nectar River in boats. Many of us paddled with our hands as we were short on paddles.

We were in town for 10 days and we got through it the day President Roosevelt died. As tank support arrived, we moved through. That was the day I was almost killed at least 10 times by direct fire. I didn’t think there was a chance I would make it home alive, but I did.

The last three or four days were spent in a big building, resting and waiting for the Russians to take Berlin.

My company finished occupying Berlin on March 9, 1946, after five months. I was discharged on April 20, 1946. I received two Bronze Stars, the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, the combat infantryman badge and a World War II Victory Medal.

I obtained the rank of corporal.