A Journey on My Own: A Youth from Hitler's Germany Strives to Claim His American Identity

by Eric H. Vieler

Overview

A Journey on My Own tells the story of Eric Vieler, born in America but raised in Hitler's Germany, where he saw the persecution of Jewish neighbors and experienced the bombing of cities. After being expelled from a Nazi-run academy, he crossed battle lines to reach his home. On Easter 1945, he encountered American troops, became their interpreter, and witnessed fierce fighting. He joined British occupation forces, doing a variety of jobs for food as compensation. Vieler's quest for his American identity was fulfilled when he was repatriated to America at age fifteen, but thoughts of independence were thwarted when, due to his age, he was required to attend public school. Although he held after-school jobs, his primary support was through a New York City welfare agency. In 1950, Vieler enlisted in the Army, was commissioned at age nineteen, and went on to serve in Korea, where he was seriously wounded and twice decorated for valor.

Product Details

ISBN-13:	9780761848349
Publisher:	Hamilton Books
Publication date:	11/10/2009
Edition description:	New Edition
Pages:	130
Product dimensions:	6.00(w) x 8.90(h) x 0.40(d)

About the Author

Eric H. Vieler, Ph.D., is a retired Army colonel in military intelligence, who lives in San Francisco with his wife, Wickie. He has two other publications in print: his dissertation, The Ideological Roots of German Nationalism, and his Korean War memoir, Destination EVIL.

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Preface
Chapter 2 Prologue
Chapter 3 Chapter 1: Family Background and Childhood
Chapter 4 Chapter 2: Elgersweier
Chapter 5 Chapter 3: Feldafing
Chapter 6 Chapter 4: War Up Close
Chapter 7 Chapter 5: Boys and Toys
Chapter 8 Chapter 6: Postwar
Chapter 9 Chapter 7: British Connection
Chapter 10 Chapter 8: Repatriation
Chapter 11 Chapter 9: Astoria
Chapter 12 Chapter 10: On My Own Again
Chapter 13 Chapter 11: Recruit
Chapter 14 About the Author
Chapter 15 Index