John Niesel

Howitzers, Grasshoppers, and the Holy Right Hand John Niesel

When he enlisted in the United States Army Artillery six months prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor, Harold Brown couldn't possibly have known what fate had in store for him. Traveling from the high plains of Colorado to the battlefields of Europe, Harold experienced the war as many American GI's did, enduring its trials and horrors, hoping for the day when he could finally come home. Unlike most GI's in World War II however, Harold would have the opportunity to touch history, and in doing so, he would play a part in the recovery of the most important national symbols of Hungary: the Holy Right Hand and the Crown of St. Stephen. Illustrated with over 160 relevant photographs, and printed in an easy-to-read format, Harold's recounting of his service covers many of the major battles in the ETO. Harold was awarded the Air Medal and the Bronze Star for his service, and it is an honor to share his story with you.