Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans
4:06 | Walter Loniak's parents were both Ukrainian immigrants who came to the United States before he was born in Manhattan, NY. Before becoming an assistant medic, he went to Fort Dix for basic training, and then went to Washington state to assist a doctor, which eventually became his medical training. Afterwards, he became an x-ray technician and was sent to Verdun, France. (This interview made possible with the support of DONALD G. STEWART.)
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While stationed at one of the general hospital in Verdun, France, Loniak worked with several other counterparts to the doctor and they took turns caring for the patients. For a short while, he was sent to R&R in Paris. After the Battle of the Bulge, there were many GIs and even more malnourished Jewish people to take care of. When the war ended, he witnessed the treatment of an axis collaborator. (This interview made possible with the support of DONALD G. STEWART.)
After the war was over, Loniak was stationed assisting a doctor once again. Unfortunately, this was the time he saw some of the more horrific sights because they had to deal with the war aftermath. Once he was discharged, he took the first chance he got to go back to the states, married his wife, and went back into the workforce. (This interview made possible with the support of DONALD G. STEWART.)
