A German Texan in World War II

A memoir within a memoir, A German Texan in World War II: The Diary, Letters, and Memorabilia of an 88th Infantry Officer tells the story of Robert Lee Melcher, written by his daughter, Marilyn Melcher Maddox. Melcher served as a major in the US Army from 1943 to 1945 in North Africa and Italy, leaving the war decorated with a Bronze Star Medal for his heroism. Highlighting the strong German Texan background and perspective of a loyal American officer who fought against the army of his ancestral homeland, Melcher’s story comes to life through an abundance of personal letters, diary, memorabilia, and memories from his daughter.
A prolific writer and careful record keeper, Melcher wrote eloquently about the human aspect of war, asking agonizing questions about his German Texan heritage. As his time in combat unfolded, Melcher came to see a different side of the German traditions and pride that had molded him as a youth. On May 3, 1945, he wrote, “I’m sure the pictures and stories of German prison camps are convincing as to the true nature of Germans. And convincing as to what the US would have been in for, had we not fought when we did. My idea of a German is lots different than what it was. Some of my friends were in those prison camps.”
Years after his active military career was over, Maddox, daughter of then-Colonel Melcher, discovered the dusty cardboard boxes stuffed with letters, scrapbooks, photographs, hand-drawn maps, and other reminders of her father’s time in World War II. Drawn into the story of her father’s past, she embarked on a journey of discovery that resulted in A German Texan in World War II. This book offers important perspectives on the internal struggles faced by Americans of foreign heritage who serve in conflicts that place them at odds with their own cultural legacies.

Marilyn Melcher Maddox is a former history and language arts educator who focuses on writing nonfiction. She lives in College Station.