Preserving The Oral HistorIES of Combat Veterans

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Emil DeDonato

WWII | 47th Infantry Regiment, 9th Infantry Division

The objective was Paris but the push was bogged down. Emil DeDonato was on one side of a French highway and the Germans were on the other. After suffering some of the German artillery, he saw a wave of B-17's come over and pound the enemy. The strikes were a little too close, as it turned out. (6:07)
The Rhine was a wide river, impossible to cross without a bridge and Emil DeDonato was heading toward a small railroad bridge that had been found. The Americans were slowly moving across the narrow structure and he took the opportunity to search nearby buildings where he made a lucky find. He was lucky again when, further down the road, German civilians welcomed the GI's. (7:09)
In the Belgian town of Verviers, American GI's were being hosted by the townspeople. Emil DeDonato was enjoying the beautiful Belgian girls, but a few days later, he was rushing to join the Battle of the Bulge in the middle of a frigid winter. (5:21)
The message center was a vital part of battlefield communications. Emil DeDonato was constantly training the junior members of the team, which could be working far in the rear or right on the front. Near the Elbe River, he encountered two Russian soldiers who were trying to take a cow from some German civilians. He stepped in and soon everyone was happy. (4:19)
Emil DeDonato was only an hour or so away from Berlin when his unit was ordered to stop there and wait. It would be many days before the Russian Army could claim the privilege of entering the German capital. Once it was all over, he was at the top of the list to go home because of his points. There was just one problem. He didn't want to go. (4:24)
Emil DeDonata was lucky. He came back from the war and went right back to his old job. He wasn't so lucky readjusting to civilian life. The bed was too soft and even things that should please him caused him stress. It took a falling out with his boss to make him strike out on his own, which led to much success for him. (7:07)
Emilio Rendon

Vietnam | 1st Battalion, 9th Marines

Emilio Rendon's mother passed away when he was four years old leaving him and four siblings in a tough situation. His father was unable to care for them but an aunt took them in. For that incredible act of kindness, he was eternally grateful. (5:41)
He had been in ROTC but nothing could have prepared Emilio Rendon for Marine boot camp. What have I done? Oh Mama, come get your boy! The pace was relentless and there was one DI who delighted in punishing the recruits. (5:05)
From boot camp, Emilio Rendon was sent to Communications and Electronics school. They taught him Morse Code, which he never once used. Then it was off to Vietnam to set up gear for the growing Marine presence in Da Nang. (4:52)
They called him Wamba. He was a Marine that everybody in the outfit loved for his good humor. Emilio Rendon was going about his business when a Marine from a returning patrol asked him, did you hear about Wamba? He stepped on a booby trap. (Caution: rough language) (5:34)