A Long Ago Soldier - Memoir of WWII Reconnaissance Service

In this review of A Long Ago Soldier the focus is on readers who value firsthand wartime memoirs and concise military history. The book is best for those wanting a personal account of service in World War II rather than an academic study; its greatest strength is the direct voice of Bud Wilkes recounting service with the 102nd Infantry Division and participation in Rogers Night Raiders actions. This review looks at what the narrative delivers: personal recollection of combat, honors earned, and the sense of place during the Roer and Elbe campaigns.

Key Features

• Firsthand account: The author offers a personal narrative of service as a staff sergeant in World War II, giving readers an eyewitness perspective on front-line events.
• Unit focus: Specific mention of the 102nd Infantry Division places the memoir within a defined military context for readers interested in divisional history.
• Rogers Night Raiders detail: Descriptions of reconnaissance and combat missions with a small volunteer band add color and tactical interest for readers of small-unit operations.
• Awards and recognition: The account lists several decorations including the Silver Star and Bronze Star plus Oak Leaf Cluster, which underline the intensity and significance of the events described.
• Theatre of operations: Scenes set along the Roer River and the advance to Stendal on the Elbe River provide geographical anchors for the narrative.

Who It's For

This memoir is well suited to history readers who favor personal testimonies over academic analysis, collectors of World War II reminiscences, and descendants researching service in the 102nd Infantry Division. Readers who appreciate short, experience-driven chapters and clear references to awards and units will find this account valuable.

Those looking for operational maps, exhaustive unit timelines, or scholarly footnotes should look elsewhere; the book centers on lived experience and honors rather than exhaustive military historiography.

Pros & Cons

Pros

• Direct eyewitness narrative provides an immediate sense of combat and duty.
• Specific unit and campaign references help place the memoir in broader World War II chronology.
• Accounts of Rogers Night Raiders missions illuminate lesser-known small-unit activities.

Cons

• The book is memoir-focused and does not supply extensive citations or academic apparatus for researchers seeking primary-source documentation.

Specifications

Title	A Long Ago Soldier
Author	Bud Wilkes
Subject	World War II memoir
Units referenced	102nd Infantry Division; Rogers Night Raiders
Theatres	Roer River, advance to Stendal on the Elbe River
Decorations mentioned	Silver Star, Bronze Star plus Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, honorary French Croix de Guerre, honorary Russian Bravery Medal

Our Verdict

A Long Ago Soldier is a worthwhile read for anyone who values firsthand wartime recollection and small-unit stories from World War II; it delivers vivid personal detail tied to named units and campaigns, making it good value for readers seeking human-scale military memory rather than exhaustive scholarship.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is this a firsthand memoir?
Yes. The book is written by Bud Wilkes and recounts his service as a staff sergeant in World War II.

Which units and campaigns are covered?
The narrative references the 102nd Infantry Division, operations along the Roer River, and the advance to Stendal on the Elbe River, including missions with Rogers Night Raiders.

Does the book list military awards?
Yes. The account notes awards such as the Silver Star, Bronze Star with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, and honorary foreign medals.