Interview with John Helms, 14 October 2011

Harrison Fletcher interviews John Helms who served in the United States Army during World War II. He joined the military right out of high school because he was living in poverty in the United States, and he saw it as the only way to make money. He served in the 83rd Infantry Division, and was in the front lines the entire time he served in Europe. He walked straight through France and Germany, and said he was never transported anywhere. He fought in both the Normandy landings and the Battle of the Bulge. He was wounded four times, but says that morale among the American soldiers was high.

World War, 1939-1945

Helms, John

Veterans

Personal narratives, American

United States

Interviews

Helms, John

Fletcher, Harrison

23 pages

English

Helms, John

Fletcher, Harrison

10/14/11

43:18 min

Copyright for the Veterans Oral History Project's audio and transcripts is held by Appalachian State University. These materials are available for free personal, non-commercial, and educational use, provided that proper citation is used.

Drexel, World War Two, Army, Camp Atterbury, Fort Breckinridge, England, Normandy, D-Day, infantry, Switzerland, Battle of the Bulge, Purple Heart, Cherbourg, France, Germany, Rhine River , shrapnel, Belgium, Elbe River, Berlin Airlift, Camp Shanks