The Orv Mestad Collection (GRAPHIC)
Dublin Core
Title
The Orv Mestad Collection (GRAPHIC)
Subject
A collection of items from Orv Mestad's service with US Army Anti-Aircraft battery 546AAA. This collection contains a surrender leaflet and two photographs.
ONE PHOTOGRAPH IN THIS COLLECTION IS GRAPHIC
ONE PHOTOGRAPH IN THIS COLLECTION IS GRAPHIC
Description
Orv Mestad served as a Sergeant in command of Anti-Aircraft battery 546AAA. This was a mobile unit of fourteen soldiers, whose mission was to protect armored vehicles from marauding enemy aircraft.
Mestad's unit regularly protected General George Patton's field headquarters. He received credit for destroying an aircraft on a mission to assassinate Generals Patton and Eisenhower. According to Mestad's account, the aircraft had been bearing American markings. When the pilot's body was inspected, he was wearing an American uniform. Mestad agonized over the decision. Upon further research it was discovered that the aircraft bearing those markings had previously gone down in enemy territory.
His unit was also present at the liberation of a concentration camp. As he told it, they had no idea what to expect when they found such things. The Army began issuing postcards bearing images from the camps to prepare for such horrors.
Mestad's unit regularly protected General George Patton's field headquarters. He received credit for destroying an aircraft on a mission to assassinate Generals Patton and Eisenhower. According to Mestad's account, the aircraft had been bearing American markings. When the pilot's body was inspected, he was wearing an American uniform. Mestad agonized over the decision. Upon further research it was discovered that the aircraft bearing those markings had previously gone down in enemy territory.
His unit was also present at the liberation of a concentration camp. As he told it, they had no idea what to expect when they found such things. The Army began issuing postcards bearing images from the camps to prepare for such horrors.
Creator
Orv Mestad
Source
Cindy Mestad
Date
1940-1946
Contributor
Cindy Mestad
Rights
Cindy Mestad
Format
Various
Language
English and German
