The following collection of photographs was contributed by John R. O'Brien, nephew of S/Sgt. William T. Oliver, one of the GIs in the Luxembourg photo at the beginning of the Brothers-In-Arms website. It is a remarkable collection that documents primarily the 2nd Platoon, F Company. Our sincere thanks to John and his aunt, Mrs. Margaret Oliver, for allowing us to present these photos.
William T. Oliver began his service in the Army with the 42nd Rainbow Division, but ended up in the 83rd Division. While he was with the 83rd, he was awarded the Bronze Star for action in Luxembourg, Belgium and Germany between November 2, 1944 and February 16, 1945, and was awarded the Silver Star for action in Loveling, Germany on March 1, 1945. It was during this action in Loveling that Lt. Larry Dalton was also awarded the Silver Star. On April 5th S/Sgt. Oliver was wounded in Germany and returned to the States. He spent the better part of a year at Hines VA Hospital recovering from his wounds. S/Sgt. Oliver and his wife, Margaret, have three children, eight grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. S/Sgt. Oliver passed away on August 4, 1982.
Our blood was mixed on fields of fire.
And together we watched night's glowing sky
Dreading who would be next to die.
O my Brothers, where are you now?
Do you dwell on some nearby star
Whose soft light shines God's gentle peace upon my brow?
--To remind me of what we once were
And now will always be.
Had we lived in kinder times
Would we still be Brothers-In-Arms?