Hey DAD I Love You - Happy Memorial Day

This was posted by 101bamamike on the outstanding BAMAmag website.

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Titled "Saving Private Ellis"

"I hope you'll forgive me for posting this on the football board, but since sports news is slow and in honor of the World War II monument dedication today, I hope you'll find it both appropriate and interesting.

As I have said, both of my grandfather's were World War II vets. The following is true story of one my grandfathers and how it came to affect me nearly fifty years later.

My grandfather, who was in the Army, was Captain Nungester. He volunteered in 1941 to join the army. He was already practicing medicine by the time he enlisted. He was shipped overseas, after basic training, to the African theatre. He was among the American's captured when Rommel overran the American forces at the Kizerine (sp) Pass.He was initially shipped to Stalag VII-A. This is where he came in contact with Private Ellis. Stalag VII-A was a central processing camp, where the Germans separated prisoners (Jewish, Americans, Russians, British, Poles, etc). Once they were classified, many were shipped to other camps.

At this particular camp, my grandfather was one of several doctors. He treated fellow prisoners, Americans, British, it didn't matter, they were allies. Private Ellis was part of a paratroop group (I think they were known as the doughboys or gingerbread men.... they had an insignia on their uniforms that looked like a gingerbread man) that had parachuted in behind enemy lines. Private Ellis was wounded in the leg as he floated down and was captured soon after. He was taken to Stalag VII-A where my grandfather was. By the time my grandfather saw him, his leg was badly infected.

One thing in very short supply in prison camp were drugs, especially sulfur drugs used to treat wounds. Private Ellis was nearly delirious from his wound. Most of the other doctors wanted to take Private Ellis's leg, but my grandfather insisted on trying to save it. To compound matters, Private Ellis had a staph infection. The wounded, who had staph infections, were like a pariah in camp, because other soldiers feared contracting it. It was almost like a death sentence. My grandfather stayed with Private Ellis for about a week and half, changing his bandages every day, at risk to his own health and not only saved Private Ellis's leg, but his life as well.

Shortly thereafter, my grandfather asked to be transferred to another Stalag that were short of medical doctors, as there were plenty at VII-A. Just his luck, he wound up in the infamous Stalag XVII-B, made famous by the movie "The Great Escape", with Steve McQueen and to a lesser extent, Hogan's Hero's (my grandfather loved that show and I would watch it with him when I was a kid). He assured me that XVII-B was "nothing like Hogan's Hero’s". It was at this point that Private Ellis and my grandfather lost touch.

Now, fast foward about fifty years. My grandfather passed away in 1996. We still own his river place (my little slice of heaven, spent many a day on the river fishing with my grandfather). One day, about 6 years ago on a trip down to the river place to cut grass and drowned a few crickets, I found a letter stuck in the door to our cabin. It was from a Mr. Ellis, who said he was looking for a Dr. Nungester.

He explained that he and his wife, both retired, were traveling through Alabama on their way to a guest preaching assignment in South Alabama. The letter further explained, at least partially, that he had been in a prisoner of war camp with a Captain Nungester and wondered if this might be the one. He said he was a retired Methodist minister from Indiana and was trying to find this Captain Nungester or his family. He included a phone number and an address where we could reach him. I would later find out that he had enlisted the help of a friend, who was an FBI agent to track down my grandfather. The only info he had to go on was that my grandfather was originally from Decatur, Ala. After much perseverance. he found the number and address from my grandfather's cabin, which was still listed in his name.

I read the letter, put it in the car and when I returned home, I took it to my mother, who said she would attempt to contact Mr. Ellis. After about a month she made contact with him. He said that he and and his wife would like to meet with my Mom and myself on their return trip to Indiana. We agreed to meet.We met Mr. Ellis and his wife at a restaurant in town (Hsv). We came armed with old photos of my grandfather from his military days , as well as newer photos.

When we met them, we expalined to Mr. Ellis that my grandfather had died the year before, which saddened him. Mr. Ellis told us the story of my grandfather treating him at Stalag VII-A and we exchanged photos and stories about my grandfather. It was very moving meeting to say the least. After about an hour or so, they had to head on their way, but before leaving Mr. Ellis asked my Mom and myself if we had seen the movie Saving Private Ryan? We said we had not, but we both intended to (it was in the theaters at that time). He said after we had seen it, would we give him a call, there was a scene at the beginning of the movie that he particularly wanted us to see.

A week or so later we saw the movie and as promised, called Mr. Ellis. He asked about the opening scene, where Private Ryan is an old man and visits the grave of the Sgt (Tom Hank's character) who had save his life. We said yes we saw it and he paused and said..... "that’s how I feel about your father and grandfather".

Neither my Mom, nor myself had a dry eye. We had always been proud of my grandfather, but that was especially touching. We have kept in touch with Mr. Ellis, who is still living and just last year about this time, took him to my grandfather's grave. He was very moved and emotional at the gravesite and said a prayer, then saluted my grandfather. The pride I felt in my throat at that moment, overwhelmed me. The people that he touched and the difference he made in so many lives was amazing.

This generation, this Greatest Generation was made up of men of similar character. I salute you Mr. Ellis, the soldiers who never made it back to their families, to those who did and made this country great and this next generation who are risking their lives in Iraq and Afghanistan to continue the legacy. We honor you, we thank you and we are indebted to you............

A foot note: My grandfather delivered yours truly in 1958 and I was with him when he passed in 1996. A special bond I'll always treasure.