Merg: The True Story of a WWII Soldier's Selfless Act of Valor and Sacrifice that One Town Never Forgot

De: Peter Lion

Narrado por: Scott Persson

George Mergenthaler, the grandson of the inventor of the Linotype, was an only child, and at the time of his birth in 1920, became the sole male heir the family fortune. Tall, handsome, Ivy League educated, speaking fluent German and French, "Merg" as he was know to his friends, did what many in his generation did following the surprise attack on Pearl Harbor: He enlisted in the Army.

Insisting on serving as a buck-private, George was assigned to a Recon Troop that would see action after the D-Day invasion in France, Belgium and Luxembourg. Following the horrific fighting in the Huertgen forest, the 28th Cavalry Recon Troop was sent west for R & R, to a small farming village in Luxembourg called Eschweiler.

For the next month the Recon Troop soldiers lived amonst the townspeople, sharing their homes, meals, hopes, and dreams. A devout Catholic, George spent much of his free time in the town's small church, St. Mauritius, chatting and getting to know the local priest. Quickly the two bonded, sharing a friendship not unlike long-lost brothers.

In mid-December, however, their bucolic stay in Eschweiler was shattered by the Battle of the Bulge. Nearly surrounded by the enemy, the Recon Troop soldiers were forced to retreat from the town. Dodging enemy fire, their convoy drove down a winding road, towards the cover of nearby woods. Rounding a corner they were ambushed by the spearhead of the German advance in that sector. Pinned down with capture or death seeming their only options, George jumped into the command jeep and manned a .50-cal machine gun, proving how exceptional he truly was.

©2020 Peter Lion (P)2020 Peter Lion

Excellent

This was an interesting story of an American Army soldier, George Mergenthaler. Merg, as he was called, was fluent in German, French and English. He joined the Army after Pearl Harbor and was assigned to the Reconnaissance Troop of the 28th Infantry Division. He fought in France, Belgium and Luxembourg. He fought in the Huentgen Forest. After this horrible battle, they were sent to Eschweiler in Luxembourg for R&R. I found the story interesting in that much of the story was about the people Merg interviewed as part of his recon job. He spoke their language and because of his personality, he became friends with the people and learned about their problems under the German Army. This is less a story of battles and more a story about people. I enjoyed the book. The book is non-fiction.

The book is five hours and thirty-one minutes. Scott Persson does a good job narrating the book. Persson is an audio actor.

Best book of 2020

What an excellent portrait of a true american hero. It is a blessing to read about someone so willing to give whatever he could to make others life better.