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GIs Remember - Norman Brody - Landsberg

Norman Brody was born in Washington, DC. His parents came from Eastern Europe and lie was brought up speaking Yiddish. He entered the Army in February 1943, and was sent overseas as a replacement in November. He participated in the invasion of Sicily, serving as a gunner on a 90 millimeter cannon. Initially his unit was anti-aircraft, but later was used field artillery in the final months of the war. He landed in Southern France in August, 1944, and later fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

I had vaguely heard that something was happening to Jews but I didn't know what until we arrived at a concentration camp near Germany, in April, 1945. 1 couldn't believe what I saw. Human beings, or what used to be human beings, were lying in piles in the Center of the place. Others who were able to walk were emaciated, just skin and bones. I spoke Yiddish to the survivors. Their response reminds me of what Martin Luther King used to say: 'Free at last, free at last.'

This experience made me more aware of my Jewishness. I became more involved in Jewish activities and Jewish charities. A few years ago My wife and I went On a United Jewish Appeal mission which included Auschwitz and Buchenwald. This helped to reinforce my Jewish feelings."

GIs RememberNational Museum of American Jewish Military History