Wife memorializes father, grandfather with historic heirloom
On February 11, my wife lost her father. Within four months, my daughter lost both of her grandfathers. Both were servants of their country. My father-in-law served in the Navy, just as his father had done. As a World War II veteran, my wife’s grandfather left behind a rare piece of history. The one item my wife wanted from her father’s belongings was a copy of the diary her grandfather left behind. Thanks to the generosity of John Long of the National D-Day Memorial in Bedford, we have it. Bear in mind that keeping a diary was prohibited during wartime, making this artifact a true historical gem. Paul William Krug’s World War II diary offers a deeply personal look at the daily life of an American serviceman during wartime. Written in brief but vivid entries, the diary follows Krug as he leaves home, travels by train to military staging areas, and eventually boards a convoy bound for the Atlantic Theater in 1944. Rather than focusing on grand military events, the diary captures the uncertainty, routine, and quiet determination that defined life for so many young soldiers. As the journey unfolds, Krug records the long days aboard ship, rough seas, changing weather, and the constant movement from one assignment to another. He writes about crowded conditions, meals, conversations with fellow servicemen, and the endless waiting that often accompanied military operations. At times, the entries reflect fatigue and homesickness, but they also reveal humor and resilience as the men adjusted to life far from home. The diary also documents his arrival overseas, where unfamiliar landscapes and historic surroundings contrasted sharply with the realities of war. Krug notes seeing castles, coastal towns, and military camps while continuing through training and preparation. Though many entries are simple observations about weather, work details, and daily routines, together they create a powerful portrait of a young American experiencing extraordinary events in real time. In the days leading up to D-Day, Paul W. Krug and his crew prepared relentlessly for the invasion of Normandy. They loaded rockets, ammunition, ambulances, jeeps, and other supplies aboard their ship while learning they would land on the northern coast of France near Colleville. Rough seas and stormy weather added to the tension as Allied forces assembled for the assault. Early on June 6, 1944, Krug and his crew approached Omaha Beach under heavy bombardment from Allied warships and aircraft. Their mission was to support amphibious tanks by firing rockets at German positions near the shore. Enemy fire was intense, and rough water caused several tanks to sink before reaching land. Krug helped rescue survivors from the water while German 88s shelled their position. In the days that followed, Krug witnessed the enormous difficulties of securing the beachhead, including mines, damaged vessels, and constant shelling inland. Despite the danger and exhaustion, he and his crew continued their duties before finally returning to Portland on June 10 to clean equipment and rest. Like his father, David Paul Krug served in the U.S. Navy from 1969 to 1974. My father-in-law was a corpsman. When he passed away, my wife was not afforded an opportunity to eulogize her dad. So, I wanted to give her that opportunity in this column. Of the few happy memories Emily could extract from her childhood, most involve her father. She recalled him setting up her Little People Town buildings, ready for her to play with after church. He played Santa Claus at Rose’s Department Store in Pulaski, where Emily proudly served as his elf. “I felt so special,” she said. “He loved Christmas.” Another time Emily felt special was when he sat her on a table, carefully combed her long blonde hair, and took her picture. It was one of the few times in her life that she felt truly beautiful. She recalls playing school in church classrooms while her dad prepared his sermons and going to McDonald’s for Happy Meals. By the time Emily became a teenager, he introduced her to the music of the ’60s, including Janis Joplin, Jimi Hendrix, and Johnny Cash, all of whom became lifelong favorites. In particular, they shared a lifelong love of The Beatles. “Their music served as a tonic for my frequent depressive episodes,” Emily reflected. “We would take rides and jam out to these incredible artists while talking about whatever popped into our heads.” Their bond continued into Emily’s adulthood, when she would visit him frequently to discuss movies and music over coffee and dessert. “I still haven’t accepted his death,” she admits. “I still want to call and check on him and discuss the latest Beatle solo efforts.” In summary, Emily wants her father to be remembered as a loving, kind, smart, and funny man. “He was and will remain my first love,” she says. “I know he is with me in ways he couldn’t be on this Earth.” Just after his passing, Emily came across Firefall’s “Just Remember I Love You” and believes her dad sent the song to her from beyond. She says the sentiments expressed in its lyrics are the same ones she returns to him with undying devotion. “Just remember I love you and it’ll be alright,” they state. “Just remember I love you more than words can say.”