Jennifer Honors Her Father’s WWII History in Europe

The son of a single mother during the Great Depression, Jennifer’s father, Wallace Albert Early, knew what it felt like to not have food on the table. And though he was just shy of his 16^th birthday, Wallace found a way to support his family: He lied about his age and enlisted in the Army.

When World War II broke out, young Wallace was sent to Europe, assigned to the 397th Infantry Regiment, Third Battalion, Company L. He rose through the ranks to become the youngest commissioned officer in the 100th Division, serving throughout France and Germany. After six years in the Army, Wallace came home, attended college on the GI Bill, and later became an optometrist.

Wallace married and provided Jennifer and her sister with a comfortable childhood that was vastly different from his own. His hard work put his daughters through college, and along with his wife, he embodied a life of service to others. “We owe everything to him,” Jennifer, now 66, said.

A legacy of care

As an adult, Jennifer’s career path and experiences demonstrated the same deep care for others and desire to pay it forward that her parents modeled. She’s served in orphanages in Haiti, led students on a canoe trip in Spain, and supported women in the Dominican Republic. As a former school counselor and current nonprofit executive director, Jennifer made it her life’s work to offer hope and resources to people in need.

Even when her mother died by suicide in 1996, Jennifer channeled her pain into helping others. “She was a very giving person, and we were all blindsided,” Jennifer shared. “I vowed not to wallow in my grief but honor her by serving others as well.”

When her father died in 2014, Jennifer was struck with guilt that she didn’t ask more questions about his military service while he was alive. She spent countless hours reading and researching, learning for the first time about the tremendous victories his unit achieved.

“I was beyond amazed at what my dad endured. We know about battles like Omaha and Normandy, but the battles his division won are not well-known. These men need to be honored,” Jennifer said.

As she researched, Jennifer uncovered stories about her father’s service that she’d never heard. In the German village of Weissach im Tal outside of Stuttgart, it was Wallace who gave the command, “Hold your fire,” which spared the lives of thousands of innocent civilians. In addition, she grieved as she learned that her father had to escort German citizens through concentration camps so they’d see the atrocities the Nazi regime had committed.

The more she learned, the more Jennifer dreamed of a trip to France and Germany to retrace her father’s footsteps. She wasn’t just looking for an adventure—she desired to connect with those still living in the places where her father served and interact with people who might remember his division. Though she couldn’t go back in time and ask more questions, she hoped to create a documentary film to ensure his military history was preserved.

Standing where her father stood

Wish of a Lifetime was honored to facilitate Jennifer’s wish to travel to Germany and France, continuing her quest to honor her father’s impact.

She and her husband, David, arrived in Frankfurt, Germany, and made their way to Bitche, France, a key landmark in her father’s service. There, Jennifer and David were personally driven by Michel Klein, founder of The Memory Space, a small place of remembrance honoring the 100th Infantry Division and the city’s liberation during World War II. Jennifer and David were blown away by his knowledge. “The two days with [Michel and his wife] could not have been any better,” Jennifer said.

After their time in Bitche, Jennifer and David continued to Weissach im Tal, the town that Jennifer’s father’s unit had spared. This was a poignant, full-circle moment for Jennifer since she first learned of her father’s heroic decision. The mayor of the town, Daniel Bogner, met and hosted them personally during their visit.

Next was Stuttgart, where Jennifer and David had the chance to walk into an old home in which her father had stayed. While the tenant was unaware of the building’s WWII connection, the location was a perfect match to an old photo of Wallace’s.

With every stop that Jennifer made and every local person she encountered, she was given endless confirmation that her father’s service was significant. She witnessed the townspeople’s appreciation for American soldiers and saw history preserved through so many landmarks and spaces.

“I had a lot of the facts, but I didn’t have the full story,” Jennifer said. “This filled in the missing pieces.”

As Jennifer journeyed home, she conveyed her deepest appreciation for the trip. “It was an amazing lifetime experience for us both,” she reflected. “I just can’t wait to get with my daughter to pass that legacy on about her grandfather. And maybe one day, we could take her back there.”