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When Pearl Harbor was attacked, bringing us into the throes of WWII, the lives of many men and women were forever changed. Many experiences were buried in the minds and hearts of our young people who answered the call to arms to defend our homeland from enemies who would bring us to our knees-or so they thought.
Those Veterans brought home more than victory and continued freedom for all Americans. They also brought home a lifetime of not only physical pain for some, but mental pain for all.
Mr. Knapp was barely twenty years old when he enlisted, having gotten tired of waiting to be drafted. Fourteen months later he was on his way to Ireland - a 508th paratrooper.
Beginning with D-Day, he literally jumped into the beginning of two of the three worst battles of WWII in the European Theater, Normandy and Holland. Battle of the Bulge followed. He was battlefield commissioned before his twenty-third birthday.
This is Mr. Knapp's story, what he chose to share. As you follow along with him perhaps you can close your eyes and see what he experienced . . . and be thankful.
William Knapp's book, "I Didn't Know Anyone Cared," finally telling his story after so many years, was published just a few days before he passed. He did get to see the book and was so pleased. It had been privately printed a couple of years ago exclusively for his
family and friends. It was so well received that he made the decision to publish it, updating it and adding more pictures. He devoted an entire chapter to his best friend, Joe Endress - also 508th, 1st B, Co. B who was lost in the Battle of the Bulge - and Joe's two brothers, one of which was lost in the Pacific.
A great book, filled with vignettes of his comrades.
It's easy to read and with many photos (all B/W).
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