Two Wars and One Love
Front-Line Soldiers Remember World War II through the Battle of the Bulge and the Korean Conflict
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As the day was coming into darkness, their attack continued. I had trooped the line at every lull. When I saw Lts. Holland and Higgins, they were very much like everyone else—beat! The continual pounding, the loss of people killed and wounded, and the need for fresh troops made us all anxious. But we were still alive. I thought of home, Molly, and the baby during that day and wondered how they were doing. But I couldn’t dwell on them too much. I was proud of my little troop of men. They had guts. I recall the first encounter we had at St. Vith when one of my gunners broke and ran. I had decided at that time to leave him in his job as gunner on one of the machine guns. His name was Ryan. As I walked around the area to see how the men were doing, I came to Ryan. He had been wounded in the arm. I said to him, “Get on back to the medics and take care of the wound.” He refused saying, “I’m going to stay and do my job.” I then ordered him to go back to the medics. He went but only on the condition the job would be his when he got back. I thought to myself when he departed, that’s the last that I’ll see of him as the medics will probably send him to the rear. I was fooled. He was back at his gun within a couple of hours, smiling and saying, “Told you, Lieutenant, that I would be back!” During the lulls, I didn’t hear many complaints. For some reason, the men were quiet. No laughter, only serious looks. We constantly had our ears open and our eyes to the front. I know each man was deep in the thoughts of home or some were worrying what was going to happen next. That’s where my mind was, and still wondering where in the hell was the support that was supposed to be coming and how much longer did they expect us to hold out?
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About the Book
This is the story of Bob Moranda, citizen soldier, who fought with honor, courage, conviction, and valor during one of World War II’s most critical campaigns—the Battle of the Bulge. Both his capture by the Germans and liberation by the Russians were perilous.
This is also the story of Bob and his brother George, who both served in Korea. In the National Guard after WWII, they were called to active duty again. Not too many years after WWII, they had to adjust once more from civilian life to that of soldiers in training and combat. Bob writes of the joys and frustrations of the common soldier doing his duty. George adds historical perspective to the events recounted in the book. Together they provide a compelling narrative enhanced by the context of history.
For those who want to know what actual combat is like, those who need inspiration to meet life’s challenges, and for those who want to know more about the “boys who saved democracy,” this is essential reading.
About the Author
Robert E. P. “Bob” Moranda spent most of his work life with Chevron Oil Company, starting as a service station attendant and retired from the company as Retail Manager of the Los Angeles Area. His work with Chevron was interrupted twice: first, when he was drafted into the U. S. Army during World War II and served until the war ended, after which he joined the California National Guard’s 40th Infantry Division; and second, when that division was ordered to active service and sent into combat during the Korean War. He lives in his home in Granada Hills, California. George E. Moranda was drafted into the U. S. Army in July 1941.and assigned to the Corps of Engineers. He was commissioned at the Engineer Officer Candidate School and served in administrative and training positions during World War II. Following the war, he was in the Army Reserve and the California National Guard in an artillery battalion and served with his brother Bob with the 40th Infantry Division in Korea. He remained on active service and was commissioned into the Armor Branch of the Regular Army. George is a graduate of the Command and General Staff College and the Army War College, and holds Masters Degrees in Political Science from the University of Hawaii and the University of Wisconsin in Journalism. He retired from the Army in 1970. George E. Moranda passed away on January 4, 2009.