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Letters from Uncle Dave: The 73-year Journey to Find a Missing-In-Action World War II Paratrooper
A hero never came home from the war. Will his nephew’s painstaking twenty-year search finally offer the family closure?
Phil Rosenkrantz never met his uncle. All he knew was that the fearless 82nd Airborne Paratrooper was marked MIA, and seventy-three years later he still didn’t know the brave man’s history… or where his remains lay. But his two-decade quest to bring his relative’s sacrifice to light would reveal startling epistles, detailed sketches, and the vivid humor of a man confronting a bitter fight for freedom.
Letters From Uncle The 73-year Journey to Find a Missing-In-Action World War II Paratrooper is a meticulous account of Army Staff Sergeant David “Rosie” Rosenkrantz’s life and the unraveling of the mystery of his death. Featuring forty-nine surviving missives reprinted in the book, along with newspaper articles, military research sources, and interviews Phil conducted across the globe, you’ll gain unique insights into not just an intensely personal pursuit, but the unfolding of a horrendous global conflict. As one man’s mission to locate his uncle’s remains and bring them home comes to a close, you’ll be moved by the story of a humble paratrooper who gave everything in the name of liberty.
In Letters From Uncle Dave, you’ll be touched appreciation of the significant, lasting mental and emotional aftereffects of warStories of the courageous soldiers and friends who parachuted into perilous night skies, not knowing if it was their last jumpA detailed theme of the leadership strategies and tactics the Airborne Divisions employed to ensure success106 photos (50 in full color in eBook and hardback) that bring this extraordinary and dark era to lifePowerful accounts from eyewitnesses, maps and documents, appendices for further research, and much, much more!Letters From Uncle Dave is an intimate chronicle of the life and times of one heroic soldier and the agonizing search for resolution. If you like rich history, highly personal stories, and well-researched facts and figures, then you’ll love Phil Rosenkrantz’s dedicated narrative.
Buy Letters From Uncle Dave to bring a world of conflict into focus today!
Phil Rosenkrantz never met his uncle. All he knew was that the fearless 82nd Airborne Paratrooper was marked MIA, and seventy-three years later he still didn’t know the brave man’s history… or where his remains lay. But his two-decade quest to bring his relative’s sacrifice to light would reveal startling epistles, detailed sketches, and the vivid humor of a man confronting a bitter fight for freedom.
Letters From Uncle The 73-year Journey to Find a Missing-In-Action World War II Paratrooper is a meticulous account of Army Staff Sergeant David “Rosie” Rosenkrantz’s life and the unraveling of the mystery of his death. Featuring forty-nine surviving missives reprinted in the book, along with newspaper articles, military research sources, and interviews Phil conducted across the globe, you’ll gain unique insights into not just an intensely personal pursuit, but the unfolding of a horrendous global conflict. As one man’s mission to locate his uncle’s remains and bring them home comes to a close, you’ll be moved by the story of a humble paratrooper who gave everything in the name of liberty.
In Letters From Uncle Dave, you’ll be touched appreciation of the significant, lasting mental and emotional aftereffects of warStories of the courageous soldiers and friends who parachuted into perilous night skies, not knowing if it was their last jumpA detailed theme of the leadership strategies and tactics the Airborne Divisions employed to ensure success106 photos (50 in full color in eBook and hardback) that bring this extraordinary and dark era to lifePowerful accounts from eyewitnesses, maps and documents, appendices for further research, and much, much more!Letters From Uncle Dave is an intimate chronicle of the life and times of one heroic soldier and the agonizing search for resolution. If you like rich history, highly personal stories, and well-researched facts and figures, then you’ll love Phil Rosenkrantz’s dedicated narrative.
Buy Letters From Uncle Dave to bring a world of conflict into focus today!
- GenresNonfictionWorld War II
349 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 21, 2020
72 people are currently reading
43 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
September 28, 2020
I bought this book as I am history buff. By coincidence, I had an Uncle Dave who was in the Royal Canadian Air Force and was lost over Europe during World War II. In our family's case, however, the body was recovered immediately and was buried in a private cemetery along with the remains of his fellow crewmates who also perished. Much like Dave's mother in the book, my grandmother clung to the hope that her son was alive but eventually accepted the news that he was gone. I cannot imagine the heartbreak of not knowing what had happened to a loved one.
The book is very well written and tells the journey to find and bring home the body of David after 73 years. It is inspiring to read about those who helped and the lasting friendships that have resulted from the search and repatriation.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who cares about their family.
The book is very well written and tells the journey to find and bring home the body of David after 73 years. It is inspiring to read about those who helped and the lasting friendships that have resulted from the search and repatriation.
I highly recommend this book to anyone who cares about their family.
November 11, 2020
A journey worth reading about
I was struck by the author’s comment at the end of the book (paraphrased) “we will never know the contribution Uncle Dave might have made had he lived. To me, in his death he has given something invaluable. A reminder of those left behind, the parents, the families. An awareness the soldier does not go into battle alone. And finally, a roadmap of sorts to help others rediscover their lost loved ones. Shortly before the 75th anniversary of Operation MarketGarden, I had the privilege to follow the path those very brave men took. I was overwhelmed by the emotions I felt as I saw the places the battles were fought to save nations and people none of them knew. Reading this book made that trip come alive in my mind again. To all the Uncle Dave’s and their families, thank you for your indescribable sacrifice.
I was struck by the author’s comment at the end of the book (paraphrased) “we will never know the contribution Uncle Dave might have made had he lived. To me, in his death he has given something invaluable. A reminder of those left behind, the parents, the families. An awareness the soldier does not go into battle alone. And finally, a roadmap of sorts to help others rediscover their lost loved ones. Shortly before the 75th anniversary of Operation MarketGarden, I had the privilege to follow the path those very brave men took. I was overwhelmed by the emotions I felt as I saw the places the battles were fought to save nations and people none of them knew. Reading this book made that trip come alive in my mind again. To all the Uncle Dave’s and their families, thank you for your indescribable sacrifice.
September 29, 2020
Excellent
This is the story of the loss and recovery of remains of a WWII paratrooper . The story is shared through various letters home, visits with veterans and research into battles, lots of research! I found this book enlightening in several ways, my dad was a paratrooper in WWII, also 82nd Airborne Division 504, but he was 2nd Battalion Company E. He never spoke about the war, I wish I had access to this type of information years ago, it may have improved our relationship. Knowledge is power and we must learn from history of we are doomed to repeat it.
This is the story of the loss and recovery of remains of a WWII paratrooper . The story is shared through various letters home, visits with veterans and research into battles, lots of research! I found this book enlightening in several ways, my dad was a paratrooper in WWII, also 82nd Airborne Division 504, but he was 2nd Battalion Company E. He never spoke about the war, I wish I had access to this type of information years ago, it may have improved our relationship. Knowledge is power and we must learn from history of we are doomed to repeat it.
October 3, 2020
An incredible story, well worth reading!
What an incredible book. Honouring his Uncle in such a caring way. Well researched and beautifully written. I loved the descriptions of each family member, it gave more meaning to the lovely chatty letters Dave sent home, where he skimmed over the horrors of war.
So sad, a young man, full of life and promise, cut down in his prime.
But now his story is told, a wonderful legacy.
What an incredible book. Honouring his Uncle in such a caring way. Well researched and beautifully written. I loved the descriptions of each family member, it gave more meaning to the lovely chatty letters Dave sent home, where he skimmed over the horrors of war.
So sad, a young man, full of life and promise, cut down in his prime.
But now his story is told, a wonderful legacy.
October 1, 2020
A poignant and down-to-earth story of finding an uncle killed in World War II. The letters from Uncle Dave are only the first surprise as we are taken into the reality of a paratrooper in the War. But the back story of the family, and the 73 year journey to find and bring him home is amazing. A book of devotion and family support.
September 17, 2023
This is not only the story of a young American serving in WWII, it's a family story about what happens when that MIA or KIA telegram arrives. And how it permeates through the family when he's never found and the family is left in limbo, dealing with an ambiguous loss and unresolved grief that even affects more generations.
Because my Grandma Leora lost three of her five sons who served in WWII, I can relate to the not knowing, as for one of the brothers, only God knows where his remains lie today. How encouraging to read about the author's trips to Europe and to learn how much the Dutch revere the young Americans who helped liberate their homeland. They publicly remember anniversaries and welcome Americans who visit, especially those hunting for answers.
This family history and historical journey, aiming for closure by one family, is a real American treasure.
Because my Grandma Leora lost three of her five sons who served in WWII, I can relate to the not knowing, as for one of the brothers, only God knows where his remains lie today. How encouraging to read about the author's trips to Europe and to learn how much the Dutch revere the young Americans who helped liberate their homeland. They publicly remember anniversaries and welcome Americans who visit, especially those hunting for answers.
This family history and historical journey, aiming for closure by one family, is a real American treasure.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews