Key Information
Before Memories Fade, By Melvin H. Dick
2011 [ISBN: 1-58107-208-2; 154 pages; 5 1/2 x 8 1/2 inches; soft cover] $15.95
Subtitled: Memories of World War II; My Uncle and Men of the 10th Infantry Regiment of the 5th Infantry Division
This book was written to remember my Uncle, Private First Class Melvin W. Dunn. He was a member of General George Patton’s 3rd Army, 5th Infantry Division and the 10th Regiment in World War II. He was killed during the Ardennes Offensive, better known as the Battle of the Bulge on January 28, 1945. Through some luck and research I have been able to find a few men who fought with him in the 10th Regiment. They have told me of their memories of the war and of the men with whom they fought. The men are all in their eighties and nineties, with fading memories of a war sixty plus years ago. Some memories however have not gone away and are quite vivid. The war was an important part of their lives and something they can never completely forget.
I don’t think many today understand the war and how much of the world was affected. At least fifty million people lost their life because of the war. The destruction of property was tremendous and it was years before reconstruction was completed in the war torn countries. It was impossible for life to return to normal in Europe. The American soldiers returned home, but were changed and for many it took years before the war left their daily thoughts. We owe a huge debt to those who served in the war and they deserve to be given our appreciation with rockets firing and trumpets playing.
The Author
Melvin Dick lives in Enid, OK. He has traveled extensively to visit the sites of the battles described in this book.