Wesselhoeft: Traded to the Enemy

by Shirley Anderson Wesselhoeft, Adolf "Wes" Wesselhoeft

Wesselhoeft is the story of an innocent six-year-old American boy who was caught up in the events of World War II. No longer playing on the beach in Chicago, going to school and reciting the Pledge of Allegiance, he and his parents were suddenly taken away to a desolate internment camp in Texas. One year later his family, and many U.S. citizens like himself, were traded for other Americans with our enemy Nazi Germany into an active war zone.Taken to Hamburg, he endured the heavy bombings by the Allies, followed by hunger and deprivation in post-war Germany.In spite of these events he took the first opportunity to return to America and join the Air Force. After 22 years of service, including two tours in Vietnam, he retired as a Lieutenant Colonel. Now legally blind from Agent Orange exposure, Wes competes in tandem bicycle races and still lets very little stop him.Wesselhoeft tells his story of faith in God, American perseverance and love of country.

189 pages, Paperback

Published August 30, 2018

Reviews

[Jeanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

A book that’s both easy and hard to read. Don’t let the page count fool you. Inside these covers is a huge story of loyalty, patriotism, love, persistence, service, and much more. There’s even a surprise or two along the way. Read this book and let Shirley and Wes engage and inspire you as only they can.

[Kim N' · Rating 3 out of 5]

A simple straightforward telling of a boys amazing journey to Germany and back. It is a little known (and sad) part of our country’s history

[Hannah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Straightforward and not fancy but an important story! I especially enjoyed it after reading The Last Year of the War.

[Carolyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

9.0

[Military Writers Society of America (MWSA)]

MWSA Review

Wesselhoeft: Traded to the Enemy by Shirley Anderson Wesselhoeft, as told to her by Adolf "Wes" Wesselhoeft, is a dramatic and gripping memoir of a German American’s journey from childhood to adulthood. During World War II, young Wes and his family were forced to live in an internment camp in Texas before being shipped back to his parents’ homeland in Germany. As an adult, Wes returned to America where he proved his allegiance to the United States by serving in the Air Force for more than two decades. This is the story of a boy turned man who refused to let the trials and tribulations of his childhood keep him from pursuing the American dream. It's an inspiration for dreamers and a narrative of a larger, untold story that should be included in modern-day history books.

Review by Kris Patterson (March 2019)