Shelato Robert - WWII Veteran Interview

WWII Veteran, Robert Shelato, was interviewed in Sainte-Mere Eglise, Normandy, France on June 4, 2014. SGT Shelato served in the U.S. Army with the 249th Engineer Combat Battalion during the Normandy Campaign after landing at Utah Beach. During the interview, SGT Shelato describes his work as a combat engineer including the disarming of traps and minefields. SGT Shelato received the Silver Star and the French Legion of Honor for his service. ‪@MakingHistoryProject‬
Summary:
Book Writing Journey: Bob Shelato wrote three books, beginning with "From Wheat Fields to Battlefields," followed by a children's book "Fire Dober," and most recently "From Battlefields to Wheat Fields." His grandchildren helped publish these books on Amazon.
Military Service: Drafted in June 1943 after graduating, Shelato trained as a combat engineer at Camp Bowie, Texas. He served until December 1945 and was designated as a weapons sergeant, a role he found fortunate and unique.
Combat Experience: Shelato recounted his experiences as a weapons sergeant, handling various machine guns, and navigating through challenging and often dangerous conditions, including ambushes and booby traps set by Germans.
Civilians and War Impact: He had limited interactions with civilians during his service, avoided looting, and described the hardships faced by soldiers, including dealing with booby traps on bodies and enduring bitter cold.
Post-War Life and Career: After the war, Shelato worked in marketing and pursued education under the GI Bill, though he did not complete a degree. He also engaged in projects like promoting tourism in Germany and appreciated the opportunity to contribute to historical preservation.