- Born: April 8, 1926 – Pennsylvania
- Died: June 21, 1945 – Germany
- Buried: (1) American war cemetery in Margraten, Netherlands (2) St. Paul’s Lutheran Church Cemetery, Red Hill PA
- Parents: Robert & Margaret (Neas) Wolf
Robert Wolf Jr was born to Robert and Margaret (Neas) Wolf on April 8, 1926. He was the nephew of Sadie (Wolf) Heimbach (my maternal great-grandmother) and the first cousin of Pearl (Heimbach) Thomas (my maternal grandmother)
Robert was the eldest of three siblings: Arlene was born on April 1, 1930. A younger brother, Kermit Charles, was born on August 7, 1934, and died a week later on August 14.
Robert graduated from South Whitehall High School in May, 1944 – a great achievement considering many young people at the time left school in their early teens to work and support their family. He worked at an A&P store on North 19th Street, likely in Whitehall or Allentown, around the time of his graduation.
By July 1944, at 18 years of age, this recent high school graduate was drafted and began basic training at Fort Bragg, NC.
The rest that we know of Robert’s life comes from letters he sent to Pearl Heimbach, his cousin. Thankfully, Pearl kept those letters and they found their way into my aunt & mom’s hands.
Letter 1: May 30, 1944, Guthsville PA
Robert’s first letter comes on May 30, 1944, just after his high school graduation. It is the only type-written one and the shortest, and gives a glimpse into the humble mind of this teenager as well as the playful banter enjoyed by the family members. He mentions his aunt and uncle (Sadie Wolf & Frank Heimbach), cousins Pearl and Paul Heimbach, and Lorraine, who we later learn was Paul’s girlfriend.
“Dear Pearl,
I cannot express my thanks for the graduation card and 2-dollars which you gave me this evening.
I no I cannot fulfill the standards which are required throughout life, but at least I can try to follow some of them. I know that when it comes to brain work, such as chemistry, physics, English, etc., I will be left behind; however, I did learn the necessary things that are required in life. Those things are; loyalty, honesty, courage, religion, and patriotism. If I follow those, I no I shall have no trouble throughout life.
This is a-hell-of-a-world just now, but I’m not afraid.
Your cousin,
‘Bob’
To Aunt Sadie, Frank, Paul, Pearl, and Lorraine, the best of happiness to all and the best of luck.
From the good-for nothing, spoiled, —5-foot Marine —-“
Letter 2: July 23, 1944, Fort bragg NC
By July, Robert was at Fort Bragg for basic training. His handwritten letter to Pearl, on US Army letterhead, talks about his equal excitement and fear of jumping as a paratrooper (and I wonder if Pearl had previously expressed that she’d be a “sissy” about such a thing), insecurities about how quickly he had to grow up as a young soldier-in-training, and his approval of Russell, whom Pearl later married. Robert mentions his nicknames of “Junior” and “Bob,” and I wonder if Pearl had asked in a prior letter if she should call him Robert now that he’s a man in the army. Robert also reflects on their family vacations together with the nostalgia of someone all-to-quickly yanked from childhood.
“Dear Pearl,
I’m far from being a ‘man.’ I’m just one of Uncle Sam’s 18 yr. old boys in the Paratroop division. Now, if you want to know somebody who is a man, take a look at Russel. Boy! I still remember how he looks, no kidding. He’s a real man. Pearl, I don’t want to be more than anybody else, so you call me what you want too. Junior or Bob. Thanks any way for the compliments of being a man.
You know, I agree with you when you said, ‘it seems like yesterday when you used to come to our place for vacation.’ I really hope you think I turned out to be a swell fellow because I know I was a spoiled ‘brat’ when I was younger. Paul can tell you that himself. By the way, I hope Paul catches fish by the bushels. As for opening his letter; I don’t mind at all.
To jump from a plan will really be a thrill. I can’t wait. Yet, it will be quite a long time before I get the chance to jump. I’m not afraid to admit I’ll be scared the first time, who wouldn’t be. We were told that everyone who makes his first jump is scared stiff. It’s only natural. But, boy oh boy, I can’t wait. Don’t think girls are sissys because they’re not. Every boy is as much a sissy as the girl is. Only the boy has more physical abilities.
The Army cooking is all right and furthermore, we get plenty to eat. (Today we had chicken; not bad.) How about it? I share my hopes that Russel stays on this side, and I will keep my fingers crossed. (here there is a little scribble, which may be a correction, or something to look like crossed fingers?)
Tell your parents I sent them my heartiest congradulations for their 25th wedding anniversary. I shall wait for Margaret’s letter before I write.
With love your cousin ‘Bob’ (‘Junior’)
P.S – Thanks for the ‘love.’ I need it. Boys don’t mind ‘love.’ (ha ha)”
LEtter 3: August 29, 1944, Fort Bragg NC
Robert’s third letter is less jovial; he acknowledges the hard work of adulthood, yet expresses a love for “Army life” and shares news of his skilled marksmanship. He expresses how much he misses everyone at home, and refers to Pearl’s beau “Tommy,” which was a nickname of Russell’s.
“Dear Pearl,
Received your letter full-heartily; however, I regret I could not answer sooner than I did.
I hear you’re still working hard. It’s tough sometimes, believe me, now I know. I certainly do think you need a vacation. You hardly ever got your vacations when the time actually was to get them, did you?
As for me, I love the Army life all except for one thing, my mother – father – sister – and faithful relations, like you in East Greenville. That’s one thing I really miss. You know (how I think you miss) ‘Tommy;’ well, that’s how I miss all of you.
Yes, my parents are coming down – with Paul I hope. Listen, if this letter reaches you in time – please tell Paul to bring his swimming suit just in case we can’t pass a lake without feeling the water. Get what I mean?
Say, I consider myself pretty lucky. Today we had rifle practice and out of 20 shots, I hit 16 in the Bulls Eye. 16 out of 20. The other 4 were in no. 4 ring. If you don’t understand I think Paul does. Ask him? If I do this when we shoot for records, I will receive an ‘expert’ medal for rifle targeting. That would be ‘okay’ with me.
I know this letter isn’t too interesting, but I honestly don’t have more time.
With Love, ‘Bob’
P.S. Please keep on writing. I’ll answer as soon as possible.”
Letter 4: September 19, 1944
Robert’s letter shows even further transformation from a timid teen to a courageous soldier. A peek into the American psyche of the time, he refers to the Japanese in no fond terms. He expresses confidence that he will be fighting in Japan and an eagerness to make the enemy pay. We also have a peek into Russell Thomas’s own training, and apparently his stay at base in Virginia had been prolonged. Through all the uncertainty of wartime, though, funny cakes always improve the day.
“Tommy will soon be home
Dear Pearl,
Swell to hear from you. Sorry I couldn’t write before this, but I know you know why.
Tomorrow I’ll go on the rifle range for the third time. I’ve already qualified for ‘expert.’ Tomorrow, however, will just be practice in order to teach us more about the gun and also for keeping us in ‘trim.’
It seems to be a rainy month. It rained today again and this time it rained hard. We walked through water 1 foot deep as a result of the rain. Our shoes, feet, pants, and clothing were all soaked. In other words, there wasn’t a dry spot on us except the top of ur heads. This was caused by our helmets.
Gee! I’m glad for you and Tommy. I’m very happy to hear that Tommy will stay in Virginia for the time being. It would make anybody happy to hear that.
As for me, well, I don’t mind going across as long as I have a ‘parachute’ on my back. I want to get even with them ‘dirty damn Yellow Japs.’ I don’t want to be a hero, Pearl. I just want to do my best of duty where they need me most, and I know that will be in Japan! That’s all I can say. I know you think I’m crazy….but think,… think how many other men like me died because of a treacherous ‘yellow dog;’ the Jap. It will take years to make up for those men, and I want to help. Now I know you’ll understand.
The funny cakes… hmm, hmm, boy, were they good! I’ve always loved Sadie’s funny cakes. You’re all so swell to me. East Greenville will always be my second home. So long good-looking. God Bless you.
Love, ‘Bob'”
Letter 5: October 4, 1944, Fort Bragg NC
Robert has completed 11 weeks of training and will be heading for combat in 6. But before that, he’s getting photos taken. If Pearl received one, I’ve never come across it. Here we learn that Russell (“Tommy”) will no longer be remaining stateside. As for the “hunting license,” all I can imagine is that, based on the content of the previous letter, Pearl & family created a phony one for “Japs.” The “Benning” that Robert talks of is Fort Benning in Georgia, where he later went to finish parachute training.
“Best of Luck to a Swell Couple
Dear Pearl,
Many, many thanks for my ‘hunting license.’ I’m sure if I ever get that far, that I won’t worry about the ‘limit.’ I’ll get as many of those ‘devils’ that I possibly can.
Well I had hoped Tommy wouldn’t have to go, but I guess they need him. Thomas is what I really call a ‘Soldier.’ He’s tall, handsome, very neat, honorable, and he has loyalty. What I’m trying to say is he knows what ‘life’ is. That’s why I know when this thing is all over, he’ll come home, home to you. ‘God Bless you Tommy.’ May he protect both of you wherever you go and whatever you do.
As for myself, I have almost completed 11 weeks of training, which means I have 6 mmore here at Fort Bragg. After that, ‘To Benning I will go, to Benning I will go.’ Ah, yes! That will be my day. There is definitely one thing that gets me ‘raving mad,’ and that is; every time one or two persons get in wrong for anything, small or great, the whole platoon has to suffer. Tommy knows what that used to be like. It’s the Army way.
In the near future (within 2 or 3 wks), I will send my picture. I am getting 6 taken. Three small, and three large. You will receive a large (colored) picture as soon as I get it.
Pearl, how are Aunt Sadie & Uncle Frank? Tell them I ask about them will you? And Paul – that handsome lad from East Greenville. Tell hi I will write in my next moment of spare time, but also tell him he shouldn’t wait for me. I didn’t forget Fern – I received a letter a couple days ago. Will answer soon.
All my love, ‘Bob’ ‘your little cousin'”
LEtter 6: October 26, 1944, Fort Bragg NC
Robert’s letter now appears on personalized letterhead bearing his name and “U.S. Paratroops.” We learn about happenings in the family: Paul’s breakup, Sadie & Frank’s daily routines, and that Russell will be shipping out soon. It seems that Pearl has also acknowledged how much her little cousin has grown up over the last three months.
“How are you all do’in?
Dear Pearl,
It was good to hear from you. Thanks so much for your most interesting letter.
I was surprised to hear that Paul left Lorraine, but glad that they separated friends. Tell Paul to write and tell me about it.
So now Tommy has received his over-sea equipment and is expecting to ship out. Well, Pearl, I honestly want to share my sympathy with you. I fully realize what it means for a couple like you to be parted for the time being, but don’t forget, it will only be for the time being, then you’ll be together again. Pearl, I know you can keep that chin up! I will await more news about Tommy. ‘God be with him wherever he goes.’
I don’t believe I grew up much at all; however I have gained weight. If you remember I weighte 137 lbs. before I came in the Army; now I weigh 152 lbs. Quite a change. How about it? So you see I’m still that little ‘brat’ cousin of yours. I guess I always will be.
You know, in your letter you wrote about the rest of the family. Pearl, I could picture every word you said. Drank chewing gum; Sadie just watching around, both of them sitting at the table exchanging words here and there. Yes, I can clearly picture all of that. Tell them I said ‘Hello, and Best of Luck to the best Uncle and Aunt in the world.’
Next 2 weeks I’ll be out in the ‘field,’ meaning maneuvers. I won’t be able t o write for quite a while, but I wish you would write to me, please! Furthermore this week and my 17th week will be the last weeks in Fort Bragg. Good-night Pearl. ‘God Bless You.’
Love, ‘Bob’
P.S – I’m going to take a shower before the lights go out.”
Letter 7: April 24, 1945, Somewhere in germany
It is uncertain if there were any other communications from Robert after his last letter in October, but by April he is in Germany and has already been part of at least one major event in WWII. Robert reveals that he was in the 17th Airborne Division and mentions “The Jump” – an event that would have been headline news in America in the thick of the war. According to Wikipedia: “Operation Varsity (24 March 1945) was a successful airborne forces operation launched by Allied troops that took place toward the end of World War II. Involving more than 16,000 paratroopers and several thousand aircraft, it was the largest airborne operation in history to be conducted on a single day and in one location.” Robert was among the paratroopers who jumped across the Rhine and landed in on its eastern bank near the towns of Wesel and Hamminkeln. There is even video footage of the campaign, from pre-jump bombing of Wesel and Allied preparations across Europe to the actual jump.
“My Dutch comes in handy!
Dear Pearl,
I received your greeting about 3 days ago, but I was a bit busy, so I didn’t get to answer. You see, I won’t be able to answer everybody’s letters as soon as they arrive because of what I’m doing, but I know you understand all about that, so I shall say no more! I sure was glad to hear from you. You know – I bet every soldier, sailor, and marine… and the paratroops (ha ha) write just about the sam thing I just did, saying, ‘I sure was glad to hear from you!’ But gosh! Although they’re only 8 small words, they mean so ‘darn’ much. They mean more than anything else written on paper. It’s just that we can’t explain in writing how much that word ‘mail’ means, or those 8 words. Moreover, I doubt very much if there’s a word in the dictionary that can fully show our appreciation. So – ‘ thanks for writing.’ I do hope I hear more from you shortly.
I’m in the 17th Airborne Division. That’s right, the Division that made the ‘jump’ across the Rhine, and to think my Mother and father thought I was still back in the states. I guess they were surprised to hear about the jump. None of us are permitted to write about the jump in any respect, so I’ll have to tell you about it when I see you in good old ‘East Greenville.’ Ah boy! I can’t wait to get home! You know what I’ll do when I see you. You’ll get the longest and most sweetest kiss you ever received in your life. The same goes for Mother, Father, Sis… and (ahem), a few others. No kidding though that’ll be the happiest day in my life when I get to see all of you again.
‘Well, what do ya know!’ The other day we got a ‘break;’ so we found an old German wash machine. Well, we boys got together and build a fire, heated some water, put it in the old ‘washer’ and away she went. Yes indeed! In about a half an hour we rinsed the clothes and they werre ‘okay!’ Clean, but not pressed. Pressed clothing… that’s a hot one (ha ha) (that’s supposed to be a joke). The day I’ll have pressed clothing will be a couple hours after I get off the ‘gang-plank’ at New York. How about it?
By the way, tell Paul to write me a few lines, will you? I’m sure anxious to hear from him. You know – he’s another ‘swell’ fellow I’ll never forget. I sure have a swell relation! (Especially the Heimbachs)
Say! When you write, please tell me where Tommy is. I might be in the next town. Who knows?
In closing I might say I never felt better, as far as health is concerned and that’s the main thing!
As for now, So Long and God Bless You.
All my love,
Your Cousin,
(cut off)”
Letter 8: From Otto Fels, November 18, 1945, Wuppertal germany
News of Robert’s death on June 21, 1945 would have reached the Wolf and Heimbach families long before this final letter was received. It was written not by Robert, but by the father of a German girl whom the young American had fallen in love with.
Otto’s letter tells of “Russians” (more on this below) invading his home, and a struggle ensuing resulting in Robert’s fatal injuries. This is a much more detailed account than what is told in his obituary (below), which is likely why the Fels family felt obligated to tell Robert’s family the full story.
I do wish the address provided were more legible, as this would make it much easier to track this family down. One curious note about the Fels’s family address: it is listed as Wuppertal, which is about 85 km south of Wesel, where Robert is said to have been injured and died. Since the town of Wesel was essentially leveled by the Allied invasion, it is likely that the Fels’s were among the many Germans displaced by the campaign, causing them to move in the months between Robert’s death and the writing of the letter in November. The second address provided in the letter seems to be a military postal unit, which may have been needed to route the mail, or perhaps was the contact that enabled the Wolf family to bring Robert’s remains home.
“Dear Family Wolf,
Finally I have found the chance to come into connection with you.
I would like to tell you something about the death of your dear son Robert (Frankie). It is so very sorry for me and my family to write it to you.
Frankie came as an American Parachuter to our family. Afterwards he spent all his free time at my home, to see my daughter Ilka. He felt so very well with my family, that wife and I could not forbid my daughter and Frankie to see each other.
We all learned to love him as a very good boy. Once a night, Frankie and his friend Stevie had been again with us. Suddenly the house was invaded by Russians and during the following struggle, Frankie was badly wounded.
Everything had been done to safe his life. Daily my daughter had been in the hospital until 10 minutes before his death.
I only can write to you, that the death of your son has made us so sorry, as if it would have been our own son.
He always ask us, why must he die, and why must it come in such a manner, two days before the American troops left us, and the Britans came in.
We never can forget Frankie and those beautiful hours we had together.
During his sickness, he always spoke to my daughter about his beloved Father, Mother and sister.
Maybe you are astonished to get such a letter from me, but I think, you will be interested to hear something about the last days of your child.
I am at your disposal as to a detailed information about this matter and awaiting your reply.
I am dear family yours sincerely
Otto Fels
Our address is Wuppertal – NA, Linderhauserste (?) 4 Germany
Please need this address:
E.M. Dickehage
40115 Inf Bde H.Q
Postal Unit B.A.O.R.“
Robert’s Death & Burial
One of the most interesting and rewarding things about genealogical research is collecting family stories, putting them on trial, and finding where fact ends and legend begins. Robert’s story is an interesting one because it has been told two different ways and we may never know exactly who inflicted Robert’s fatal wounds.
If we follow Otto’s first hand account, it is easy to imagine that a local German, perhaps even a Nazi sympathizer, took great offense to this American soldier courting a German girl. It may have even been a fellow American, incensed at the notion of a fellow soldier fraternizing with the “enemy.” It is no stretch, with the tension and brutality of this war, to imagine that someone with a great hatred or fear of their courtship may have entered the home with the exact intention of removing poor Robert altogether.
What is odd about Otto’s account is that he clearly states the offender was a Russian. Yet, this plainly makes no sense. First, Wuppertal, Germany is a tremendous distance from Russia. And what reason would a Russian have had for being in Germany when the Russians were defending their own front? Second, Russia was an enemy of Germany, not America, during the war. Unless there is a large portion of this story omitted that would have made the Fels family a target of the Russians (and that is a stretch), I feel that the nationality of the attacker is likely incorrect. Perhaps this individual wanted to be mistaken for a Russian, and donned a disguise.
The US Army does not provide any details to fill in the blanks.
The following is from US Field Hospital Admission Card Files:
- Name: Robert Wolf
- Gender: Male
- Race: White (includes Mexican) (White)
- Rank: Enlisted Man (includes Aviation Cadet or Student)
- Admission Age: 19
- Birth Date: 1926
- Admission Date: Jun 1945
- Discharge Date: Jun 1945
- Discharge Place: Field Hospital
- Military Branch: Infantry, Parachute Units
- Military Unit: 4
- Diagnosis: Wound(s), perforating (points of entrance and exit) with no nerve or artery involvement; Location: Large intestine: Hepatic and/or splenic flexure of colon or transverse colon; Location: Pulmonary arteries; CausativeAgent: Bullet, Missile Not Stated; Diagnosis: Other embolism, post traumatic
- Type of Injury: Non-battle injury; InjuryType2: Injured handling firearms, ammunition, etc., on post or in camp (cleaning gun, on range, etc. by patient or others)
- Medical Treatment: Colostomy (formation of artificial opening leading into the colon)
- Length of Service: 6-12 mo.
- Service Number: 33837433
- Notes: None
From these hospital notes, it appears that Robert suffered significant injury to his colon, resulting in surgery and a colostomy. It is likely either the injury or surgery caused a pulmonary embolism, which may have been his ultimate cause of death.
Robert’s obituary simply states that he was on “guard duty in Wesel, Germany, when he was shot by an unidentified person.” There is no mention of the kindly German family who had taken him in as one of their own, or Ilka, or his friend Stevie.
We do learn more details of his service and training. Though it is unclear when exactly he arrived in Europe, he covered much ground across England, France, Belgium, and Germany. If, in addition to Operation Varsity, he had joined the 17th Airborne Division late in 1944, he may have been involved in the Battle of The Bulge, in which his much-admired Russell Thomas (Pearl’s future husband) also served.
Robert was initially buried in an American military cemetery in Margraten, Holland. Two years later, his remains returned home to Pennsylvania. He now rests in St. Paul’s Lutheran Cemetery in Red Hill alongside his parents and baby brother.
It is easy to wax poetic about Robert. Just a boy out of school, he was thrown into one of the history’s most hateful wars. Despite this, he took the time to write not only to his immediate family, but his cousins and aunts and uncles, too. He spoke positively about serving his country and having a fulfilling and meaningful life, even if he was just a “spoiled brat” who weighed very little (though that’s likely what made him a skilled paratrooper) and was not very book-smart. It is clear he was loved by his family and made the most out of whatever hand was dealt him. The tragedy is that he had so few years to make the most of.
Five years after Robert’s death, his family received his service pay of $500.
Leaves on the Tree 