The Ardennes Remembered

At nineteen, Craig A. Schoeller (1925-2018) is sent to war. After being drafted as a replacement infantry soldier for the United States Army in the final years of World War II, he embarks on a trek across western Europe. Along the way, he is wounded in the Ardennes region of Luxembourg and spends a month recovering in a French hospital before returning to battle. Moments of narrow escape are recurrent in his journey, involving a dud grenade, friendly-fire, and a cast-iron bathtub. His luck eventually runs out when a failed advance leads to his capture and he is confined to a Nazi prison camp in 1945. Co-authored by Craig A. Schoeller and his grandson Brian Herrmann, this book recounts Schoeller's war experience as he told it in many lectures throughout his postwar lifetime. Infused with idiosyncrasies and unique historical references, his story takes us through his most trying times and unforgettable memories. These memories allow us access to his World War II experience, while Western Union telegrams and Schoeller's letters home offer us glimpses into his parents' perspective as well.

Real and raw, The Ardennes Remembered is not only an impactful war story that took place during one of the most horrific eras of the twentieth century, but also an inspiring reminder of human perseverance in the face of struggle and tragedy.