Anthony (Andy) Waskie, Sr was an orphan who had to leave school in the 10th grade to support his family of mother, and 2 siblings. He served in the CCC (Civilian Conservation Corps) and was drafted into service in the US Army in 1943. He was sent for medical training and after OCS, was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant and assigned to the 8th Armored Division, a training division at Camp Polk, La, His Division was sent overseas in November, 1944 and stationed at Tidworth Barracks in Southern England. On January 1, 1945, the Division landed at Le Havre, France and assigned to the third Army and moved swiftly to the Saar/Mosel front and saw its first action there in the Ardennes Campaign. A transfer to the new 9th Army and deployment in the Southern Netherlands followed. After bloody combat in the Netherlands, the 8th Armored Division entered the fighting in the Rhineland. They crossed the Rhine on March 25, 1945 as the first troops and spearhead of the 9th Army at Wesel. They saw heavy combat in the Ruhr Pocket and raced across Central Germany and reached the Harz Mountain in April, 1945. Elements of the 8th Armored Division were the first US troops to reach the Elbe at Magdeburg. After occupation duty in the Harz, the 8th Armored Division was sent back to the Third Army for occupation duty in the Pilsen, Czechoslovakia until the Division was transferred back home for decommissioning in November, 1945. Individual members of the Division were separated and scattered to other units of the 3rd Army in Occupation duties. Captain Andy Waskie was assigned to command of 'DP' Camps in Austria in Occupation, until relieved and sent home for discharge in March, 1946.