A Jewish teenager who fled Nazi Germany for America during World War II ended up playing a crucial role in the Allied victory on D-Day and sweeping across Europe as part of a unit gathering intelligence. Irving Locker, now 94 years old, was just 16 when he left Germany in 1936 to join his sisters in New York, escaping persecution and violence.
Locker eventually joined the US Army and became a member of the 29th Infantry Division, which played a key role in the D-Day invasion on June 6, 1944. As part of his unit’s intelligence gathering efforts, Locker helped secure vital information that helped guide Allied forces through Europe during the war.
However, the work of Locker’s unit was largely hidden for decades, as their mission was top secret and not officially recognized until recently. Locker and his fellow soldiers were sworn to secrecy and forbidden to talk about their activities, even to their own families.
Despite the hardships and challenges he faced during the war, Locker managed to survive and return home to the United States after the war ended. He went on to have a successful career in the textile industry and now resides in New York.
Locker’s story is a testament to the bravery and sacrifices made by Jewish refugees who fled persecution to fight against the Nazis during WWII. His role in gathering intelligence for the Allies played a crucial part in the eventual defeat of the Axis powers and liberation of Europe.
Source
Photo credit www.nytimes.com