Edmund S. Motzko, born in Browerville, Minnesota, joined the National Guard in 1940, and went into active service the following year. His unit was sent to Europe to join the 102nd Infantry Division in Holland and Belgium.
The following April, Mr. Motzko's company came upon the village of Gardelegen, and witnessed the aftermath of the mass murder committed there on April 13th of 1,016 political and military prisoners, including a large number of Jews. American troops stumbled upon the scene before all of the victims could be buried. Remarkably, a handful of prisoners survived.
This photograph of Edmund Motzko was taken in 1944.
Publisher: Edmund S. Motzko, used with permission.
Date: 1944
