A Doctor for the Army

Conversation with my mother:

Me: Do you know anyone who enlisted in WWII?

My mom: Yes, my father enlisted in the war. He wanted to be in the navy, but they wouldn't accept him.

Me: Why not?

Her: His eyes; he wore glasses. So he joined the army instead and became a captain. He was trained in San Luis Obispo as a doctor and was going to be sent out somewhere in the Pacific when the war ended.

Me: So he never was actually going to fight in the war?

Her: Well, he was going to be in the place of combat as a doctor and had army training, but I don't think he was the one who would ever take part in actual combat. Before that though, he was in Texas with the German POW's because he spoke German.

Me: Do you know what he did with the Germans in Texas?

Her: He took care of them; he was their doctor.

Me: Do you know how he felt about treating Germans?

Her: Not happy I guess, but it was part of his oath that he took. He also did some translating for them since he spoke German.

Me: Do you know what his motivations were to join the army?

Her: He was Jewish and was passionate about Hitler or the Nazis not succeeding, so it was his effort to make sure that didn't happen. He felt a need to do his part to try to stop them. Even up to his death he wouldn't even buy a Volkswagen car.