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Elmer Motte

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Mr. Motte discusses what it was like having a famous Hollywood actor serve as a bombardier on his plane during the war. (:30)

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Mr. Motte describes witnessing a magnificent sunset while flying over Mt. Suribachi on Iwo Jima. (:29)

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Mr. Motte describes having his plane hit by flak while flying at a low altitude during a mission over Tokyo. (:31)

Emil DeDonato

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Emil DeDonato was an advertising errand boy when his name appeared on the front page of the New York Times as part of the first draft of 1941. That was in January, and in December, war came to America. Soon, he was being trained for amphibious landings in anticipation of the work that had to be done. (2:49)

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It was November of 1942 when Emil DeDonato landed in North Africa. His job was to get ashore with the first wave and establish communications with the ship. The situation was chaotic but he stuck with it and made it happen. He was awarded the Bronze Star for this action. (5:19)

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After a successful landing and battle in Morocco, Emil DeDonato's unit was just waiting on transportation north to Casablanca. The commander got tired of waiting and decided they would walk, a distance of 283 miles. (3:53)

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Emil DeDonato was assigned to the message center. There were two four-man teams that went forward with the attack force and set up communications. He was part of the push across North Africa to confront Rommel. (4:35)

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At the Battle of El Guettar, the first frontal assault failed. It was nine days before the GIs prevailed and pushed on. Emil DeDonato was shuffling between the front and the rear as part of the communications team. He had to dodge superior German firepower in the form of plentiful aircraft, burp guns, 88mm guns and Screaming Mimis. (7:34)

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His unit was overextended and the order came, get out of there! Emil DeDonato was under fire in Sicily when he organized his men and got them clear of the danger. He didn't know it until after the war, but this got him a cluster for his Bronze Star. It was just another close call like the ones he had in North Africa. (8:09)

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It was D plus four when Emil DeDonato waded ashore at Utah Beach. It was quiet by then and his unit moved inland. When they advanced to Cherbourg and entered a huge German pillbox, they found a bounty of provisions which was appreciated very much, especially the cognac. (4:18)