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Look at them here on leave, in Germany, after the armistice.
Their casual body language, the informal proximity. Because after all, they had lived together- eaten, slept and worked fotogether for months.
They were the Victor’s, but they didn’t act like conquerors.
What my father taught me when I was growing up, 20 and 30 years after he took his photo-- it is very likely what he taught the six men in his Siam Company 3151.
Be honest, be considerate, be thoughtful, but get the job done. Be proud, but not prideful. Living by these guidelines, you will succeed and you will recognized.
When Lieutenant Sacks transferred from one assignment to another the men he led bought him a doing-away present, a two-suiter valise for his dress uniform.
Of that, he was proud and wrote home about it.
In 1995, fifty years after all that, the U.S. Army, with a little prodding from a family friend who was a U.S. Senator, formalized my father’s discharge process, and awarded him six combat medals. He lived four more years after receiving this honor.
Their casual body language, the informal proximity. Because after all, they had lived together- eaten, slept and worked fotogether for months.
They were the Victor’s, but they didn’t act like conquerors.
What my father taught me when I was growing up, 20 and 30 years after he took his photo-- it is very likely what he taught the six men in his Siam Company 3151.
Be honest, be considerate, be thoughtful, but get the job done. Be proud, but not prideful. Living by these guidelines, you will succeed and you will recognized.
When Lieutenant Sacks transferred from one assignment to another the men he led bought him a doing-away present, a two-suiter valise for his dress uniform.
Of that, he was proud and wrote home about it.
In 1995, fifty years after all that, the U.S. Army, with a little prodding from a family friend who was a U.S. Senator, formalized my father’s discharge process, and awarded him six combat medals. He lived four more years after receiving this honor.
From the Congressional Record of the 104th, Congress, first session,
September 27, 1995
Senator Carl Levin:
"Mr. President, I rise today to pay tribute to a great citizen of the state of Michigan, Abraham, Sax.
On October 7, 1995, 50 years to the month when first Lieutenant Abraham Sacks returned to the United States from Europe, a civilian Abraham "Abe" Sacks will receive his World War II medals.
Abe will be the recipient of:
- The European-African Middle Eastern metal with silver star,
- The African campaign, metal,
- The American defense, service, metal,
- The World War II, victory, metal,
- The army of occupation, metal with Germany, and
- The good conduct metal.
On behalf of a country that is grateful to the men and women of our military forces, I want to congratulate first lieutenant and dear friend Eve Sacks. It is never too late to honor someone of his caliber goodness and integrity . I know able display these metals with the same pride he exhibited when he served his country."
Unless otherwise noted,
All photos and text (c) 2025 Andy Sacks
All photos and text (c) 2025 Andy Sacks