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Francis Walle - World War II

Francis Walle was 101 years old at the time of this interview. Born in 1912, he was nearly thirty when drafted in early 1942. He did well in Basic Training and was selected to attend the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course. He shipped to Europe in August, 1944, and finally reached the front in late November, where he was assigned as a forward observer to an artillery unit in the 79th Infantry Division. He saw action in the Lorraine region of France and in northeastern Germany. He also served on occupation duty for several months.

Interview Links

Feature Excerpt

I never fired my weapon

Abstract

Interview Session (Audio)


Photos

Caption
Francis Walle (on the right) and brother Laurence, taken in 1917, when the family lived on a small farm near Piper City, Illinois.

Where:
Piper City, Illinois

When:
1917

Ownership:
May be restricted. Patrons desiring to use this photograph should contact the ALPL Audio-Visual Curator.



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