Nina Willner grew up in the United States hearing her father Eddie's stories about the horrors he endured as a German-Jewish boy in several Nazi concentration camps. But Eddie also told her about the members of America's 3rd Armored Division, Company D, who saved him and modeled for him the best of American ideals. As we approach another Veterans Day, it's the perfect time to hear this amazing story, which Nina shares in her book The Boys in the Light: An Extraordinary World War II Story of Survival, Faith, and Brotherhood.
Following the Japanese bombing of Pearl Harbor, many young men enlisted in the military, including Elmer Hovland, a first-generation American from Minnesota. Though he didn't want to become an officer, his superiors made him one because they saw his natural leadership abilities. During a Christopher Closeup interview, Nina explained that Elmer's Christian faith "permeated everything that he did, every decision that he made. It was like this steel cable that bound the unit together and united soldiers from all religions."
"You have this moment," Nina added, "in Hitler's rise to power, and he's appropriating the Christian religion. . . . [He] came out and said, 'It's your Christian duty to follow me and do what I tell you to do.' On the flip side, you have Elmer, who epitomizes the teachings of what a good Christian should be doing."
Another key American was Sammy DeCola, whose Italian immigrant family owned a diner near Boston. As a result, Sammy became the company cook. Nina describes him as a "character" and "the heartbeat of the company" because his outgoing personality could lighten the mood, especially after his fellow soldiers had seen their buddies die on the battlefield.
As the Americans made their way toward Germany following D-Day, Eddie Willner's mother and father had already been killed by the Nazis. Eddie's survival was almost miraculous considering that he was starved, physically beaten, and even shot in the head once. As American forces approached, the Nazis evacuated their prisoners, which is when Eddie and his closest friend Mike managed to escape. Company D came across the two teens standing on a road pleading for help. Elmer, Sammy, and the others were shocked at their emaciated condition and realized they were in danger of dying. Elmer decreed that the boys would stay with Company D for the remainder of the war so they could nurse them back to health, both physically and mentally.
When the war ended months later, Eddie and Mike returned to their respective homes but learned they had no family left. They immigrated to the U.S. and enlisted in the military to give thanks to the country that saved them. Though they wanted to reconnect with Elmer, Sammy, and the rest, they didn't remember enough information to find them. "Finally, after 60 years, they found each other," recalled Nina. "My father was 73. These men were in their 80s. Many of them had stopped coming to their reunions. But they made it cross-country [for this one] . . . and it was incredibly emotional."
Nina treasures the relationships that she built with Elmer and Sammy, especially now that they have both passed away, as have Eddie and Mike. Her life is richer for having known them, and readers' lives will also be enriched by their story. While there is much tragedy, the final few chapters of The Boys in the Light will lift your spirit and remind you of the best of America, patriotism, faith, and common decency.
This essay is a recent "Light One Candle"
column by Tony Rossi, Director of Communications, The Christophers; it is one of a series of
weekly columns that deal with a variety of topics and current
events.
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