my uncle when he was still with the Navy, had one of his class mates work with the DPAA. They travel all over the world and most are scientists who specialize in DNA matching. One of those times he was supposed to meet up for drinks in Hawaii but his bud was sent to Laos to trace information of remains found in the jungle. It's non-stop searching and digging and LOTS of forensic. When DNA matches 90%, they start to contact the closest family and both parties would cry over the phone.
'no one ever considered the German soldiers as heroes'. It doesn't matter. They were somebody's sons, brothers, fathers, husbands. Nobody deserves an unnamed an unmarked forgotten grave. Thank you to that gentleman to try and give peace to the fallen.
Not all of them, but many German soldiers didn't go to war voluntarily. They were forced. And many of the volunteers changed their minds quickly, but they had no chance of getting away from it all. Hitler and his accomplices caused so much pain around the world. They destroyed their own country and millions of people around the world, their bodys, their psyche for their delusion. NEVER AGAIN! Unfortunately Never again is NOW! From Germany.
it does matter. imagine your country was led by a dictator that killed millions of others. yes, germans gave their lives for such a stupid belief of Nazi supremacy, but at the same time, they gave their lives for such a stupid belief of Nazi supremacy. they were not heroes. not saying they don’t deserve to be remembered because they do.
And it's because of those as you call them fascist, that you have the ability to speak such nonsense anywhere. You....whatever you identify as are a disgrace.
Well done Barb! I am a 42 year old woman from Austria... My Granduncle was KIA at the April 11th in Italy! For sure his Family received a Telegram that he went missing soon after... In the mid 70ies his Family received a letter long after he went missing from the Doc who was there when he died... He sent home his purse... But nobody knew where he was killed exactly or where he was buried! I layed my eyes on this family case years ago and with the help of people like Christian in this video I was able to solve the case and found out what exactly happend to my Grandmother's Brother... He is layed to rest at a huge cemetery for German Soldiers in the north of Italy! I visited the cemetery just 3 weeks ago for the first time ever! For the whole family it is a relieve to know what happend and where he was layed to rest! Like Barb look a lot like her Uncle... My Dad look soooo much like his Uncle! Anton was also just 18 Years old... 🖤 All the Heroes from all Sides should rest in eternal Peace! 🖤
My uncle was lost in WWll as well. His parents never got his remains back. He was 18. My dad in listed after his death, when his brother died, at 16 years old. Thankfully he came home!
My father stayed in Europe after the war ended and was tasked with finding the missing bomber and fighter air crews that were shot down in Europe. His team combed the detailed flight logs written after each mission by the surviving air crews and employed people from the different areas to question local residents. They were able to find almost everyone, often buried in unmarked graves. They also found some concentration camps with bodies literally stacked like cord wood. They still reside in a scrapbook, not quite forgotten.
🇺🇸 to the family of Sgt Harold Schafer, his sacrifice can never be repaid. Thank you for his and your sacrifice 💔, Freedom Isn’t Free, All Gave Some, Some Gave All. Thank you to the Agencies both American and German that are still trying to put pieces back together. Rest in Peace Sgt Schafer, thank you for your service. God Bless you, your family and America🇺🇸
Thank you for this wonderful history. I have been to the American cemetery at Utah beach and seen the over 9,000 graves of young Americans. Democracy is our most treasured gift, do not give it up to anyone, or their deaths will have been in vain.
In 1991 my wife & I were in Wales, in Llantwit Major. While friends went sightseeing, we went to the cemetery. I was humbled by the graves of some of your lot from the Great War. Later, near the coast, right overhead a brace of RAF Tornadoes went roaring on, part of the build-up for Gulf War deployment, I surmised. Around me, in the eyes of some of the older folk, I could almost read their minds: here we go again, more of our lads and lasses off to war, maybe to not return. I'm 70 now. Noting seems to change. Be well, Jean Dodd.
Good to hear the uncle has been found and buried with honors. My father came back from the war, and is now buried with my mother in Willamette National Cemetery. It's great to have a place where the memories of loved ones can be honored.
These people are doing really great work bringing these soldiers home. They were not much older than teenagers and they gave the ultimate sacrifice for a country that they believed in.
I look at my daughter and her friends in their early 20’s, full of joy and excitement about life and their futures, and am eternally grateful to our ancestors sacrifices to let us live lives of freedom and opportunity.
“If they didn’t give their lives, then they gave a huge chunk of their souls”…that is something to always remember. My Brother In Law served…retired but in his field he was in for years…what he did, planned, enacted, witnessed…he was sworn not to speak of any of it so support groups don’t help him. He has ghosts he lives with and will live with and yes he has PTSD…and can’t release it. It took a chunk of his soul. Retired after 25 years and only 48 years old. Prayers to ALL of you living with things you aren’t allowed to share.
I bet there is SOMEONE in the VA he can talk to. And even WITHOUT divulging certain aspects, a good therapist can still help. I hope he or his family doesn't give up because there is help for him. So many VA centers, hospitals, help groups... There IS help. Google Ask for help researching at your library.
The saddest part of war is that regardless of which side. Most soldiers are just fighting for their country, and they are the pawns in a rich man's game. People also forget, in those years, if you didn't fight, you could be shot. German soldiers also had families, they were forced into a war, most didn't even know the full details of what was happening.
I wouldn’t say they were forced into war as much as they willingly supported and enabled a madman to lead them into one. We should learn that important lesson from history and not repeat it here.
@@crystalbluepersuasion1027 uumm you do know that there were two factions in the German Military right? Some were Nazis, but some were Werhmacht. Not all soldiers supported the war, those that didn't support it were forced into fighting. As I stated, you could be shot for treason if you were enlisted, but refused to fight.
I had the same thing happen. I had no idea how my great uncle died in WW2. I was just told that all the Army air corps told my papa was “lost at sea” which made no sense to me. I did a lot of digging. I found out the reason he died and it was very troubling. He and a bunch of other pilots were put on an ordinance barge packed to the brim with bombs and explosives because they had no more ships with space to put the pilots. The ship was hit by a torpedo bomber off the coast of North Africa. It caused the ship to explode, and not a single person on that ship, sailors or army pilot officers survived. I’m the first person in my family to know what happened to him this year in 2024, over 80 years, nobody in the family had known. My great uncle was from Texas, but my family has been in Colorado since the 1950s. If you’re ever interested, it was a Navy cover up. The ship was called the SS Paul Hamilton. The navy didn’t want the families of the dead to see how stupid they were by packing their sons and husbands onto a ship full of explosives.
Awesome story. Great the Barb kept at it. I also appreciate Herr Seiwert for his contributions. I’m a US Air Force veteran. I was born in Germany to US citizens (father was US Army).
I'm a US Air Force veteran too. I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. I legally immigrated and growing up I've always been fascinated with history and WWII more than anything else. This is an AMAZING story. I'm glad I was able to serve and because of it ended up here in this gorgeous state of Colorado.
The internet has been a godsend for families missing members. No one knew what happened to my Dad’s cousin. I found out he had been killed in the attack on Darwin Harbor and the bodies were never recovered(Australia’s Pearl Harbor). I also found my great grandmother. My Grandad had gone in search of work during the depression and she was gone when he came back. On a whim I saw an older cemetery said to just contact them on their website with any genealogy questions. I asked if they had her and they did 😊 No marker so I took care of that.
Thank you all for your sacrifice. My husband was enlisted and was sent to Vietnam. Thankfully he survived! The work you are doing to bring family members home is a miracle to those waiting!
Shedding tears for uncle Harold and my uncle Ira. I never got to meet him but my mom made certain I knew him. His ship went down in Pacific so there will be no recovery. But I will never forget him.
My uncle went down in the Pacific in a navy B24 bomber, low level bomb run over Japanese held Marcus Island, suprise attack to take out ememy aircraft and was hit by anti-aircraft. He was never recovered.
My great Uncle Willard died in N Africa, his body not recovered. My dad said his grandma never got over it. Willard was the baby of the family & his mother was dead within 2 years of him. He also left a young wife behind. Two more brothers served in the war but were lucky enough to come home. Uncle Lewis coped well enough to my ignorant eyes, but Uncle Loyd struggled with his past & was a lifelong alcoholic till he got saved, in old age. At one point he went missing for over fourteen years until he called home out of the blue and asked if the family could help him get back from where he was working in Montana. They sure could. Uncle Loyd lived long enough to hold my son who was born in '89. His health was broken by his life, though he didn't complain.
What a great heart this woman has. There is a strong spiritual element here, God sometimes allows a window of enlightenment. God bless this soldiers memories this 72 year old male writer is in tears, both of grief for the family and joy for this mans identification and recovery.
To the German Gentleman searching for fallen soldiers, your father was a hero too. Rightly or wrongly, he was fighting for his Country and had little choice.
This is a lesson. Whatever is around you in your neighborhood, in the area where you live if you think you have nothing to do, think of something. This German man with his own effort is committed to an incredibly difficult task. Finding missing combat soldiers directly in his neighborhood. He has a purpose.
Amazing story. I'm so happy that Barb didn't give up. I searched for my ancestor who immigrated to Usa in the early 1900's and found him eventually in Denver. It took over 20 years but I know the answer. It brings peace to your heart.
RIP.. and welcome home Hero ❤ He and many other young man fought bravely and everyday we should honor their sacrifice by doing good in this world. I sure hope every one of them can be found and returned to their living relatives. 🫡🇺🇸
This has been such a great story . I’m so glad I watched . Many lives involved . That’s the way it’s suppose to be . Humans interacting. With each other for the good of each . This was very inspiring .
Time really goes by this poor young man full of life died next December 80 years ago in a war he didn't ask or wanted im glad theyfound his remains May he rest in peace amen
Great job in finding her Uncle through the resources available. Thank you to your Uncle for his Service and God Bless and thank you to all who served and gave their lives for the country and indeed the world. I'm from Australia and dont know where my G Uncle is. Somewhere he died in Thailand when the Japanese came and took over. Such brave men and women. God Bless them all.
So glad he was found and hopefully more will. We cannot let freedom be taken from us ever. America is in a fight for its very soul and these lives must not be lost in vain. Democracy must survive and I believe their souls cry out for us today. Let freedom ring!
My goodness, you can see the family resemblance between uncle & niece; fitting, too, that individuals subsequent to the war years era are doing their level best to repatriate &/or place the fallen in cemeteries. As a combat veteran, I salute each & every one who gave their lives for the freedoms many today take for granted......RIP, all.
We are still missing my Uncle Jerry. An unbelievable loss to our family. Never found. Why does our country have to be involved in every war. The Boys sent to their death. The politicians, bureaucrats are responsible.
I have an Uncle Ernie that originally was listed as missing in action in the Korean War. He was then reclassified as a pow. We did find out that he died in the Pow Camp. He was on the Jimmie Johnson list. Jimmie Johnson was a pow who survived who kept track and made a list of all the soldiers that died in the camp
My grandfather was in the Europe campaign in WW. Two, what this woman said, reminded me when my grandfather always told me, never forget those men that died fighting the Germans or the Japanese, those are the real heroes, my grandfather survived, but he always thought about those left behind. And it’s true what this lady said that a lot of the young people, especially in today’s times, don’t remember and don’t understand that sometimes the actual freedom is not free and we must fight for those things in these times specially daily and we was not one individual that already served as president at one time back in that White House. That’s a man that’s Hitler and Mussolini reincarnated all at once.God bless America
Am I the only one who found the post mortem report ghastly? Well done Barb for beinging your Uncle home. I know all your family is incredibly proud of you. May your uncle rest in heavenly peace.
A miracle for sure. So glad that Veteran accounted for and returned to family. I have an Uncle who was killed 12-1944, buried in Metz FR. I have all his letters from WWII. Was able to track where 191st Tank Battalion moved in WWII. My Mom and her family never recovered from the loss. Thankful to all who serve. ❤️❤️❤️🇺🇲🇺🇲
🙏🏼🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 I agree with you I’m so sorry this younger generations will not know abt all the soldiers that have come before Especially when the world was such a different place And I pray we do not have a WWIII🙏🏼🇺🇸♥️
what a beatiful story. well done piece. and yes, we are forgetting the price that was paid for our freedom to do and be what we want. The deepest thanks to all who served and to those who work to ensure they are remembered
Incredible work... Those recovery people are Saints! That German man feels remorse and is humbled by what the Nazis did.. Not all Germans believed in Hitler & his brutality towards the Jews and others...
Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke out against Hitler from the very beginning. He was arrested and died in jail. But he wrote!!! Not all perished on a battlefield.
I know that people will probably not believe this, but the dead do talk. They communicate when you when you less expect it. The fact that Barb Bernhardt had a 'gut feeling' about her uncle just out of the blue, which led to the finding of his remains is testament to that 'energy'. They want to be found & returned.
As a European (Belgium) I am very thankful to all those Americans that sacrified their lives and for those who fought for our political freedom. My parents, who experienced the war (being born in 1925 and 1927 respectively) took me in the 1980's to the Memorial of the Battle of the Bulge, it was very impressive. It is also a very nice gesture from these German volunteers to help with the search. The European Community allowed to grow closer together. Not sure if not a majority of the German soldiers were Nazi or not, but it is clear that not all of them were. A German U boat commander was executed by the Germans for expressing this. A German Luftwaffe pilot refused to down a crippled B 17, making even sure the German coast guard did not shoot it down. There are plenty of examples. Unfortunately, we Europeans are very uneasy about today's popularity of one of the American presidential candidates, who wants to cut down the relations with Europe, wants to let Putin do whatever he wants to do and concentrate more on Asia. That is not a good evolution !
I’ve been a WW2 re-enactor since 2004 and the unit I’ve always represented is the same unit as Sgt Schafer, 90th Infantry Division, 359th Regiment, 1st Battalion Baker Company. I will definitely share this man’s story with my fellow members.
Our men and woman that serve in the military have to know we respect and love them for serving and protecting us and this country and sometimes other countries.. they do their job and sometimes we have to bring them home.
I had an Uncle Harold too , he was shot down over Guam on June 12 , 1944 along with his pilot and gunner . Never found to this day . I have been to a POW / MIA Acct Agency meeting in San Jose , given my DNA , and emailed them twice and gotten no reply . I asked why Josh Gates the star of Expedition Unknown can go diving and find an Avenger with remains in it , and yet the US Government cannot find my Uncle ? Too late for closure for my grandparents and my parents , losing hope , they don't care ...
I appreciate all those who work to recover our fallen soldiers. Thank you so much.
my uncle when he was still with the Navy, had one of his class mates work with the DPAA. They travel all over the world and most are scientists who specialize in DNA matching. One of those times he was supposed to meet up for drinks in Hawaii but his bud was sent to Laos to trace information of remains found in the jungle. It's non-stop searching and digging and LOTS of forensic. When DNA matches 90%, they start to contact the closest family and both parties would cry over the phone.
'no one ever considered the German soldiers as heroes'. It doesn't matter. They were somebody's sons, brothers, fathers, husbands. Nobody deserves an unnamed an unmarked forgotten grave. Thank you to that gentleman to try and give peace to the fallen.
Not all of them, but many German soldiers didn't go to war voluntarily. They were forced. And many of the volunteers changed their minds quickly, but they had no chance of getting away from it all. Hitler and his accomplices caused so much pain around the world. They destroyed their own country and millions of people around the world, their bodys, their psyche for their delusion. NEVER AGAIN! Unfortunately Never again is NOW! From Germany.
it does matter. imagine your country was led by a dictator that killed millions of others. yes, germans gave their lives for such a stupid belief of Nazi supremacy, but at the same time, they gave their lives for such a stupid belief of Nazi supremacy. they were not heroes. not saying they don’t deserve to be remembered because they do.
They murdered millions.
They will never be considered as heroes.
It’s kind of hard to feel sorry when they burned millions of Jewish people. And he was standing for that
@@numi8985Well that was the SS. The average Wehrmacht soldier had no idea what was going on.
Bless the people who work so hard to recover lost soldiers 💖
Never forget what so many young men sacrificed. The prime of their youth, the pride of our nation.
They fought in segregated units for a segregated country. Fascists were fighting fascists.
@@emersonmanning6523Shut up
And it's because of those as you call them fascist, that you have the ability to speak such nonsense anywhere. You....whatever you identify as are a disgrace.
@@emersonmanning6523wrong. Your disrepect is dishonorable.
@@donnaleveron5711
I repeat, fascists were fighting fascists. The United States should be ashamed.
So wonderful to hear that this hero is finally going home.
Welcome home Soldier. From a retired Navy Sailor. Former resident of Brighton.
Welcome home SSG Schaefer! God bless your family Barb!!!
Well done Barb! I am a 42 year old woman from Austria... My Granduncle was KIA at the April 11th in Italy! For sure his Family received a Telegram that he went missing soon after... In the mid 70ies his Family received a letter long after he went missing from the Doc who was there when he died... He sent home his purse... But nobody knew where he was killed exactly or where he was buried! I layed my eyes on this family case years ago and with the help of people like Christian in this video I was able to solve the case and found out what exactly happend to my Grandmother's Brother... He is layed to rest at a huge cemetery for German Soldiers in the north of Italy! I visited the cemetery just 3 weeks ago for the first time ever! For the whole family it is a relieve to know what happend and where he was layed to rest! Like Barb look a lot like her Uncle... My Dad look soooo much like his Uncle! Anton was also just 18 Years old... 🖤 All the Heroes from all Sides should rest in eternal Peace! 🖤
Prettiest country on God's Earth!I visited Innsbruck in 1991
@@shannonobrien9922 ❤❤ such a wonderful city with breathtaking Landscape 😍
@ulrikeposch4012 yes! Holland was 2nd prettiest-Paris was FILTHIEST
My uncle was lost in WWll as well. His parents never got his remains back. He was 18. My dad in listed after his death, when his brother died, at 16 years old. Thankfully he came home!
My father stayed in Europe after the war ended and was tasked with finding the missing bomber and fighter air crews that were shot down in Europe. His team combed the detailed flight logs written after each mission by the surviving air crews and employed people from the different areas to question local residents. They were able to find almost everyone, often buried in unmarked graves. They also found some concentration camps with bodies literally stacked like cord wood. They still reside in a scrapbook, not quite forgotten.
Excellent story. So glad his family found closure, and many thanks to the man in Germany for his efforts.
🇺🇸 to the family of Sgt Harold Schafer, his sacrifice can never be repaid. Thank you for his and your sacrifice 💔, Freedom Isn’t Free, All Gave Some, Some Gave All. Thank you to the Agencies both American and German that are still trying to put pieces back together. Rest in Peace Sgt Schafer, thank you for your service. God Bless you, your family and America🇺🇸
So happy he has been brought home. God bless you!
Thank you for this wonderful history. I have been to the American cemetery at Utah beach and seen the over 9,000 graves of young Americans. Democracy is our most treasured gift, do not give it up to anyone, or their deaths will have been in vain.
Thank you for your words.
I went to france for d day i cryed for all the soldiers i live in wales i am 77 so very sad
In 1991 my wife & I were in Wales, in Llantwit Major. While friends went sightseeing, we went to the cemetery. I was humbled by the graves of some of your lot from the Great War. Later, near the coast, right overhead a brace of RAF Tornadoes went roaring on, part of the build-up for Gulf War deployment, I surmised. Around me, in the eyes of some of the older folk, I could almost read their minds: here we go again, more of our lads and lasses off to war, maybe to not return. I'm 70 now. Noting seems to change. Be well, Jean Dodd.
Same Jean. Love from me in Cheltenham ❤
Good to hear the uncle has been found and buried with honors.
My father came back from the war, and is now buried with my mother in Willamette National Cemetery.
It's great to have a place where the memories of loved ones can be honored.
These people are doing really great work bringing these soldiers home. They were not much older than teenagers and they gave the ultimate sacrifice for a country that they believed in.
I look at my daughter and her friends in their early 20’s, full of joy and excitement about life and their futures, and am eternally grateful to our ancestors sacrifices to let us live lives of freedom and opportunity.
“If they didn’t give their lives, then they gave a huge chunk of their souls”…that is something to always remember. My Brother In Law served…retired but in his field he was in for years…what he did, planned, enacted, witnessed…he was sworn not to speak of any of it so support groups don’t help him. He has ghosts he lives with and will live with and yes he has PTSD…and can’t release it. It took a chunk of his soul. Retired after 25 years and only 48 years old.
Prayers to ALL of you living with things you aren’t allowed to share.
I bet there is SOMEONE in the VA he can talk to. And even WITHOUT divulging certain aspects, a good therapist can still help. I hope he or his family doesn't give up because there is help for him. So many VA centers, hospitals, help groups... There IS help. Google
Ask for help researching at your library.
@@22lyric IDK, he is in a small county in WV. I was surprised there was a VA in that area.
Such a wonderful story...to Barb Bernhardt, thank you for persevering...I bet it was worth every minute of your time.
😂11😂😂😂11😂111😂¹qqqqq+²qqqqqqqqqqqqq²12¹l
Great story. RIP SSgt Schafer thanks for all you gave in the quest for freedom
Barb, you definitely resemble your Uncle Harold. You have his exact smile. He has found peace. God bless you and your family.
Powerful story. I am so glad you can finally find closure. Welcome home.
I'm praying they will all be found 🙏☝️
And this is why we should respect the American Flag because of the heroes of this country that sacrificed their life .
USA flag. America is a continent, not a country.
The saddest part of war is that regardless of which side. Most soldiers are just fighting for their country, and they are the pawns in a rich man's game. People also forget, in those years, if you didn't fight, you could be shot. German soldiers also had families, they were forced into a war, most didn't even know the full details of what was happening.
I wouldn’t say they were forced into war as much as they willingly supported and enabled a madman to lead them into one. We should learn that important lesson from history and not repeat it here.
@@crystalbluepersuasion1027 uumm you do know that there were two factions in the German Military right? Some were Nazis, but some were Werhmacht. Not all soldiers supported the war, those that didn't support it were forced into fighting. As I stated, you could be shot for treason if you were enlisted, but refused to fight.
Let us never forget those who gave there all !!!
Im so overwhelmed and delighted that these men get found. Love from a Peace Baby. German mother, British father ❤in 🇬🇧
ALL of you! Thank you for your dedication ❤
As an Air Force Veteran this story was beautiful.
I had the same thing happen. I had no idea how my great uncle died in WW2. I was just told that all the Army air corps told my papa was “lost at sea” which made no sense to me. I did a lot of digging. I found out the reason he died and it was very troubling. He and a bunch of other pilots were put on an ordinance barge packed to the brim with bombs and explosives because they had no more ships with space to put the pilots. The ship was hit by a torpedo bomber off the coast of North Africa. It caused the ship to explode, and not a single person on that ship, sailors or army pilot officers survived. I’m the first person in my family to know what happened to him this year in 2024, over 80 years, nobody in the family had known. My great uncle was from Texas, but my family has been in Colorado since the 1950s. If you’re ever interested, it was a Navy cover up. The ship was called the SS Paul Hamilton. The navy didn’t want the families of the dead to see how stupid they were by packing their sons and husbands onto a ship full of explosives.
Awesome story. Great the Barb kept at it. I also appreciate Herr Seiwert for his contributions. I’m a US Air Force veteran. I was born in Germany to US citizens (father was US Army).
I'm a US Air Force veteran too.
I was born and raised in the Dominican Republic. I legally immigrated and growing up I've always been fascinated with history and WWII more than anything else.
This is an AMAZING story.
I'm glad I was able to serve and because of it ended up here in this gorgeous state of Colorado.
Thanks for bringing him home
How wonderful that you found out where your uncle was!
The internet has been a godsend for families missing members. No one knew what happened to my Dad’s cousin. I found out he had been killed in the attack on Darwin Harbor and the bodies were never recovered(Australia’s Pearl Harbor). I also found my great grandmother. My Grandad had gone in search of work during the depression and she was gone when he came back. On a whim I saw an older cemetery said to just contact them on their website with any genealogy questions. I asked if they had her and they did 😊 No marker so I took care of that.
She is right we should never forget, and we should be teaching are children and grandchildren not to forget to.
Sad but beautiful story. Maybe it’s my imagination but I see uncle Harold in Barbara. God bless and rest in peace Uncle Harold.
Thank you all for your sacrifice. My husband was enlisted and was sent to Vietnam. Thankfully he survived! The work you are doing to bring family members home is a miracle to those waiting!
Shedding tears for uncle Harold and my uncle Ira. I never got to meet him but my mom made certain I knew him. His ship went down in Pacific so there will be no recovery. But I will never forget him.
My uncle went down on the HMS Laforey and I wasn’t even a twinkle in my dads eye when he died but I think about him often
My uncle went down in the Pacific in a navy B24 bomber, low level bomb run over Japanese held Marcus Island, suprise attack to take out ememy aircraft and was hit by anti-aircraft. He was never recovered.
My great Uncle Willard died in N Africa, his body not recovered. My dad said his grandma never got over it. Willard was the baby of the family & his mother was dead within 2 years of him. He also left a young wife behind.
Two more brothers served in the war but were lucky enough to come home. Uncle Lewis coped well enough to my ignorant eyes, but Uncle Loyd struggled with his past & was a lifelong alcoholic till he got saved, in old age. At one point he went missing for over fourteen years until he called home out of the blue and asked if the family could help him get back from where he was working in Montana. They sure could.
Uncle Loyd lived long enough to hold my son who was born in '89. His health was broken by his life, though he didn't complain.
Barb should speak at schools telling her family's story. She's amazing! And, doesn't she have a striking resemblance to her Uncle?!
I thought she was holding a picture of her father !
Thank you for your service. May God bless your family and you.
Wow! Thank You for making and posting this Heartfelt video. prayers for all of the fallen soldiers on both sides of the war. Amen
This is such an important, powerful, and poignant story a reminder to us all of the true cost of freedom. Thank you all...
What a great heart this woman has. There is a strong spiritual element here, God sometimes allows a window of enlightenment. God bless this soldiers memories this 72 year old male writer is in tears, both of grief for the family and joy for this mans identification and recovery.
To the German Gentleman searching for fallen soldiers, your father was a hero too. Rightly or wrongly, he was fighting for his Country and had little choice.
Glad you said German soldier can a lot of people get those two confused even then I'm sure a lot of SS soldiers had no choice either
This is a lesson. Whatever is around you in your neighborhood, in the area where you live if you think you have nothing to do, think of something. This German man with his own effort is committed to an incredibly difficult task. Finding missing combat soldiers directly in his neighborhood. He has a purpose.
Amazing story. I'm so happy that Barb didn't give up. I searched for my ancestor who immigrated to Usa in the early 1900's and found him eventually in Denver. It took over 20 years but I know the answer. It brings peace to your heart.
What an incredible story!
As the widow of a KIA it is always part of who I’m today. It is not the person I thought I would be,that person died with him.
I’m so sorry for your loss, your husband’s sacrifice will never be forgotten or taken for granted. God bless you
RIP.. and welcome home Hero ❤ He and many other young man fought bravely and everyday we should honor their sacrifice by doing good in this world. I sure hope every one of them can be found and returned to their living relatives. 🫡🇺🇸
This has been such a great story . I’m so glad I watched . Many lives involved . That’s the way it’s suppose to be . Humans interacting. With each other for the good of each . This was very inspiring .
So happy he was found and reunited to his lovely family. Blessings
Time really goes by this poor young man full of life died next December 80 years ago in a war he didn't ask or wanted im glad theyfound his remains May he rest in peace amen
Freedom isn't Free, but its worth fighting for. Thank you for your service.
Wow, how amazing! She also looks so much like him! ❤🙏🇺🇸
Great job in finding her Uncle through the resources available. Thank you to your Uncle for his Service and God Bless and thank you to all who served and gave their lives for the country and indeed the world. I'm from Australia and dont know where my G Uncle is. Somewhere he died in Thailand when the Japanese came and took over. Such brave men and women. God Bless them all.
His records should be available.
So glad he was found and hopefully more will. We cannot let freedom be taken from us ever. America is in a fight for its very soul and these lives must not be lost in vain. Democracy must survive and I believe their souls cry out for us today. Let freedom ring!
My goodness, you can see the family resemblance between uncle & niece; fitting, too, that individuals subsequent to the war years era are doing their level best to repatriate &/or place the fallen in cemeteries. As a combat veteran, I salute each & every one who gave their lives for the freedoms many today take for granted......RIP, all.
She has his smile❤
What a beautiful thing his niece did for him! ❤💔🇺🇸
America will goes a long way to bring back her fallen. That is why we respect those that served!
Welcome home Harold, its been too long.
Amazing. ❤ and these people gave their lives protecting us from what some want to do again.
I am pleased that you have found him, nice one.
This is a fabulous story.
Similar story to my Great Uncle. Who was MIA/KIA from Sept 44 until June 2006. Very similar story.
We are still missing my Uncle Jerry. An unbelievable loss to our family. Never found. Why does our country have to be involved in every war. The Boys sent to their death. The politicians, bureaucrats are responsible.
I have an Uncle Ernie that originally was listed as missing in action in the Korean War. He was then reclassified as a pow. We did find out that he died in the Pow Camp. He was on the Jimmie Johnson list. Jimmie Johnson was a pow who survived who kept track and made a list of all the soldiers that died in the camp
My grandfather was in the Europe campaign in WW. Two, what this woman said, reminded me when my grandfather always told me, never forget those men that died fighting the Germans or the Japanese, those are the real heroes, my grandfather survived, but he always thought about those left behind. And it’s true what this lady said that a lot of the young people, especially in today’s times, don’t remember and don’t understand that sometimes the actual freedom is not free and we must fight for those things in these times specially daily and we was not one individual that already served as president at one time back in that White House. That’s a man that’s Hitler and Mussolini reincarnated all at once.God bless America
So glad that she had a decent outcome. The family resemblance is amazing!
Bless the soldiers. So mad about all the young people that don’t celebrate the freedoms we have because of the military.
How awesome to get closure. Hugs
Am I the only one who found the post mortem report ghastly?
Well done Barb for beinging your Uncle home. I know all your family is incredibly proud of you. May your uncle rest in heavenly peace.
An excellent story. Thank you for sharing this. I'm glad this soldier was located and finally brought home. God Bless Our SoldIiers.
A miracle for sure. So glad that Veteran accounted for and returned to family. I have an Uncle who was killed 12-1944, buried in Metz FR. I have all his letters from WWII. Was able to track where 191st Tank Battalion moved in WWII. My Mom and her family never recovered from the loss. Thankful to all who serve. ❤️❤️❤️🇺🇲🇺🇲
Thank you for bringing him home. ❤️
Thank you to all that helped this family.
Outstanding.
Her diligence speaks to all of us who served, lost friends or family, and think of them daily.
(Me: Army, Vietnam Era 1971-1974)
🙏🏼🇺🇸🇺🇸🇺🇸 I agree with you I’m so sorry this younger generations will not know abt all the soldiers that have come before Especially when the world was such a different place And I pray we do not have a WWIII🙏🏼🇺🇸♥️
what a beatiful story. well done piece. and yes, we are forgetting the price that was paid for our freedom to do and be what we want.
The deepest thanks to all who served and to those who work to ensure they are remembered
Yes we are free because of the brave. God Bless you all ❤❤
Incredible work... Those recovery people are Saints! That German man feels remorse and is humbled by what the Nazis did.. Not all Germans believed in Hitler & his brutality towards the Jews and others...
Dietrich Bonhoeffer spoke out against Hitler from the very beginning. He was arrested and died in jail. But he wrote!!! Not all perished on a battlefield.
I know that people will probably not believe this, but the dead do talk. They communicate when you when you less expect it. The fact that Barb Bernhardt had a 'gut feeling' about her uncle just out of the blue, which led to the finding of his remains is testament to that 'energy'. They want to be found & returned.
Thank you for your story. I always give thanks to All our military members who gave their all. Bless you
It's good people remember this soldier.
Wonderful story!
Excellent reporting. Thank you so much for this look into the lives of Uncle Harold and his family. Extremely meaningful content, indeed.
Thank you
Rest in Peace sir, and Welcome Home back to America! 🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲🇺🇲
The book is very, very nice. What a wonderful gift
As a European (Belgium) I am very thankful to all those Americans that sacrified their lives and for those who fought for our political freedom. My parents, who experienced the war (being born in 1925 and 1927 respectively) took me in the 1980's to the Memorial of the Battle of the Bulge, it was very impressive. It is also a very nice gesture from these German volunteers to help with the search. The European Community allowed to grow closer together. Not sure if not a majority of the German soldiers were Nazi or not, but it is clear that not all of them were. A German U boat commander was executed by the Germans for expressing this. A German Luftwaffe pilot refused to down a crippled B 17, making even sure the German coast guard did not shoot it down. There are plenty of examples. Unfortunately, we Europeans are very uneasy about today's popularity of one of the American presidential candidates, who wants to cut down the relations with Europe, wants to let Putin do whatever he wants to do and concentrate more on Asia. That is not a good evolution !
There are some things more important than wealth and power, thank you.
This vet cried tears of joy that he was found. Never forget our POW/MIA.
I’ve been a WW2 re-enactor since 2004 and the unit I’ve always represented is the same unit as Sgt Schafer, 90th Infantry Division, 359th Regiment, 1st Battalion Baker Company. I will definitely share this man’s story with my fellow members.
Our men and woman that serve in the military have to know we respect and love them for serving and protecting us and this country and sometimes other countries.. they do their job and sometimes we have to bring them home.
Barbara looks a lot like her uncle Harold, so glad that she found him. Good job!
She has his eyes and smile :)
RIP Soldier - you are going home. What a wonderful story.
Thank you for sharing this beautiful story.
I had an Uncle Harold too , he was shot down over Guam on June 12 , 1944 along with his pilot and gunner . Never found to this day . I have been to a POW / MIA Acct Agency meeting in San Jose , given my DNA , and emailed them twice and gotten no reply . I asked why Josh Gates the star of Expedition Unknown can go diving and find an Avenger with remains in it , and yet the US Government cannot find my Uncle ? Too late for closure for my grandparents and my parents , losing hope , they don't care ...
There are no coincidences in life, what a beautiful story ❤
There is a strong family resemblance between you and your uncle.