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A medical officer in the 34th "Red Bull" Infantry Division on the front lines of World War II, Lt. Col./Maj. Arthur L. Ludwick, Jr., was responsible for the well-being of traumatized and wounded American soldiers through some of the bloodiest engagements in North Africa and Italy: Kasserine and Fondouk Passes, Hill 609, Monte Pantano, Cassino, and Anzio. He was awarded both the Purple Heart and Silver Star, unusual combat commendations for an unarmed medical officer. His letters home detail his experiences, with keen observations of the people and landscapes. Based on Ludwick's letters and an archive of interviews, military documents and photos, this multifaceted narrative, compiled by his daughter, also tells the story of her discovery of her father as the young man she never knew.
List of contents
Table of ContentsAcknowledgments
Preface
Introduction
Prologue
1.¿Camp Claiborne, Louisiana: 34th Infantry Division
Training, February 1941-December 31, 1941
2.¿Northern Ireland: First U.S. Troops to Europe,
January 26-December 20, 1942
3.¿North Africa: Operation TORCH and Meeting
the Desert Fox, January 3-September 22, 1943
4.¿Italy: Battle Hardened, September 21, 1943-May 5, 1944
5.¿Winding Down: Anzio and Headed Home, March-April 1944
6.¿Chronology of Military Service and Major 34th Infantry
Division Events: December 2, 1940-November 12, 1951
7.¿Walking Wounded
8.¿Epilogue: Return and Readjustment
9.¿Behind the Lines: A Daughter's Reflections
Appendices
A: Silver Star Commendation
B: German Treatment of American POWs
C: Capt./Baron Rudolph Charles von Ripper and His "San Pietro,
Italy, 1943" Etching
D: John "Jack" Vail Hoyer
E: 34th Infantry Division Buddies
Bibliography
Index
About the author
Peggy Ludwick's professional background is in microbiology and public health. Her published research has appeared in several medical journals. Her work experience includes supervising hospital clinical labs and gender equity work in the Yakima, Washington public school system. She has taught in a variety of educational settings and developed STEM-based curriculum for underserved students. She lives in Wenatchee, Washington.
