03/07/2023
My 103 year old uncle, Morton Katz, just published a book about his World War 2 experiences
Here is the Amazon link to his book:
https://www.amazon.com/dp/099696021X/
Here is the information about the book release event:
What: Book Release Event for 103 Year Old World War II Veteran Morton Katz
When: Monday, March 20, at 1 p.m.
Where: Avon Free Public Library
281 Country Club Road
Avon, CT 06001
RSVP suggested: 860-673-9712
“From Paratrooper to Public Defender” began as a Facebook post. David Glass, a renowned baker, was looking for someone to interview his 103-year-old uncle, a World War II veteran. He received more than 1,000 responses, including one from oral historian Aaron Elson. A few days later Elson was in Avon, Connecticut, where Morton talked for three hours about his youth, his career in the military, and his second career as an attorney and public defender, from which he didn’t retire until he was 100 years old.
But the interview didn’t stop there. Morton had a lot more to say, so Elson returned for two follow-up interviews. He fast-tracked the transcription and “From Paratrooper to Public Servant” was born. There may even be a sequel, as Morton has many more pictures and stories he’s been telling his family for decades.
Morton served as a first lieutenant in the 509th Parachute Infantry Battalion of the famed 82nd Airborne Division. He fought in Algeria, Morocco, Sicily, Italy, Southern France, the Battle of the Bulge, and Central Germany, and was present at the liberation of the Wobbelin concentration camp. He was awarded the Bronze Star for heroism on the Anzio beachhead, later served on the veterans staff of Connecticut Governor Ella T. Grasso, and reached the rank of colonel in the Connecticut National Guard.
Elson, who lives in New Britain, has been recording the stories of World War II veterans ever since he went to a reunion of his father’s tank battalion in 1987. His work has served as source material in more than a dozen documentaries, including “Patton 360” and “The Color of War,” as well as many popular books about the war. He is the author of “Tanks for the Memories: The 712th Tank Battalion in World War II”; “Up Above the Clouds to Die,” an oral history of a spectacular air battle; and “Semper Fi, Padre,” which he co-authored with John Caruso of Avon, about John’s brother Mathew Caruso’s tragic heroism in the Korean War. He also hosts the podcast War As My Father’s Tank Battalion Knew It.
Morton was a frequent patron of the Avon Free Public Library until he had to give up driving. If you would like to interview him, please contact his nephew, David Glass (number above). Elson is the founder of Oral History Audiobooks, has an office in East Hartford, and can be reached at the number of email above.
Born on Straw Hat Day, May 15, in 1919, Morton N. Katz was an original member of the 509th Parachute Infantry Regiment of the 82nd Airborne Division in World War II. He fought in Algeria, Morocco, Tunisia, Naples, Anzio, Southern France, the Battle of the Bulge, and Central Europe. He remained in...
