This has been an all War day. Just to update you - Larry's information was right on and eventually I did end up talking with Otto's son. His father did not talk about the War so he does not have many details to share on that period of his Dad's life.
He volunteered to send me some documents and photos that he has, once he locates them, and then maybe with Larry's help we can figure some things out. I do not want to keep any of his docs or photos, so at that time I will have him count the number there, and then he will see the same number returned. Plus I will reimburse him for his costs. All I can do is hope it one day happens.
Otto did get wounded and it included the loss of one eye and some other things. According to his son, his injuries were not that severe so he was able to tend to the other POW's at the camp. He made sure the men were as comfortable as they could be. He was apparently mobile and in the big hospital ward in the Abbey one of the POWs said they remember Otto's name constantly being called. And the other POW said Otto handled the bed pans etc - whatever the men needed. And he even held this man's leg as a hole was drilled through the bone in his leg. Quite a Man!!!
Otto has a most unique pre War story. He was Danish - in the Merchant Marines did not mean he was in the military. He went on a ship and they delivered things to other locations. Otto married and 4 days later went on a ship to Boston. The day he arrived in Boston - he became a man with no country - because the Germans had invaded Denmark.
He jumped ship and went to Wisc. to stay with some friends. At some point the American authorities came and said he had a choice - go to prison because you are in America illegally or join the Army. If he joined the Army, he would be given citizenship in the USA. So that is what he did. His wife knew nothing because he could not write her.
It was 10 years before they were reunited and a lot had happened during that period! His Mom had been a member of the Underground and done many heroic things too!
And it is Thanks to Larry the Legend - that another piece of the puzzle has been put in place!
Yes, more details will be interesting - but to see a name on a document stating that Otto was a witness as well as my Dad to the death of 2 different soldiers - and know absolutely nothing about Otto would be to me a horrible injustice. And to hear from 2 men that Otto's name remained with them all of these years - and again to not know anything of him - would be a travesty! Otto can now be known and honored as a WW2 Hero!
Jean