Author Description

In 1942, 22-year-old Bill Kays found himself headed for England to fight the Nazis, where he was assigned to the 1st Infantry Division. By the end of the war in 1945, Kays had become a seasoned soldier who had served in Tunisia, Sicily, England, France, Belgium, and Germany. He is pictured in the iconic photos of the D-Day invasion at Omaha Beach, Normandy, having traveled on the same landing craft as the great war photographer Robert Capa. Built around 123 letters written home, this moving memoir presents a detailed picture of the life, thoughts and emotions of a young soldier who wished to avoid the front lines but never managed to do so. His observations of army life, comradeship, and heroism offer a fascinating personal perspective on the events of World War II in Europe.