The Iron Men of Metz: Reflections of Combat With the 95th Infantry Division

by Tobias O. Vogt

The Iron Men of Metz is a colorful collection of oral histories offered in their entirety. The book begins with the circumstances leading up to World War II and an overview of the African, European and Pacific Theaters of Operation. An outline of the division's actions carries the reader along the blazing trail of the 95th Infantry Division and facilitates a better understanding of the exciting stories as they unfold en route to Victory-Europe and Victory-Japan Days. Come join the actual Iron Men as they share their tales of sacrifice, valor and victory in the Second World War.

340 pages, Paperback

First published May 30, 2005

About the author

Dr. Tobias Vogt von Heselholt (shortened to “Vote”) grew up in central Pennsylvania and lower Alabama.

ELITE SOLDIER

Tobias is a retired U.S. Army officer that served in numerous Infantry, Special Operations, and Intelligence assignments throughout a 28-year career.

He’s a veteran of Operations Desert Shield/Storm, Enduring Freedom, and Iraqi Freedom, with overseas service in Europe, the Middle East, Latin America, Asia, and Africa.

He’s the former Chief of Advanced Civil Schooling for the U.S. Army and served in several senior Joint/Interagency positions within the U.S. Government prior to retirement.

A snapshot of his more than fifty awards and decorations includes the:
- Bronze Star
- Combat Infantryman Badge
- Special Forces Tab and Green Beret
- Ranger Tab
- Master Parachutist Badge
- Pathfinder Badge
- Air Assault Badge
- Mountain Warfare Ram’s Head Device
- Venezuelan Combat Diver Badge
- German Taetigkeitsabzeichen Personal Allgemeinen Heeresdienst (Gold).

TOP-NOTCH PROFESSOR

Tobias was a U.S. Army Professor of Strategic Intelligence and Chairman in the School of Science and Technology Intelligence at the National Intelligence University in Washington DC.

While at the University, he also co-chaired the Weapons of Mass Destruction Intelligence Institute and was an elected member of the Faculty Senate.

He’s a former Visiting Professor of Public Policy in the McCourt School of Public Policy at Georgetown University.

In retirement, he’s lectured part-time in the Department of Philosophy and Political Science at the University of Alabama in Huntsville.

He holds an:
- Undergraduate degree in International Studies from Hawaii Pacific University
- Graduate degree in Diplomacy and Military Studies from Hawaii Pacific University
- Graduate degree in Policy Management from Georgetown University
- Doctor of philosophy degree in War Studies from King’s College, London

Reviews

[Michael Lehman · Rating 5 out of 5]

My Grandfather served in the 377th and never talked much about his experience. I feel through these men’s stories I get some insight into my Grandfather and a little better understanding of him.

[Amelia · Rating 3 out of 5]

I discovered this book while trying to find out more about my Great Uncle who was killed during WWII and was a part of this group, better known as the Iron Men of Metz. I found it to be very interesting. I liked that it had the stories of several different people so that you could see how different people's experiences varied. It didn't seem sugar-coated, but gave me a better idea of what these young people must have felt to suddenly be put into such a terrifying situation. I will never be able to really understand what they went through, but I think this book gave a little glimpse of it.

The one thing about this book that I did not like was the MANY typos. I cannot understand how that many typos could get past anybody for it to be printed that way. Ignoring that, however, I would recommend this book to anybody who likes history or wants to learn a little bit more about the Iron Men of Metz and WWII.

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is more like 3.5 stars. There were very serious editing issues all through the book that really were distracting. That said, I appreciate the work that went into this book. I learned much about the situation my grandfather was in and the general circumstances surrounding his wounding. I appreciate more the silence he kept surrounding his role in the 95th.