Uncle Jerry as a teenager, circa 1942, posing with his dog, Todo.

Uncle Jerry's Army portrait and Bronze Star and Purple Heart medals are on exhibit at Fort Hood, in Killeen, TX.

A photo of my Uncle Jerry (right) and fellow soldiers, taken in 1944 in Fort Jackson, South Carolina.

My uncle's original framed US Army portrait, recently on exhibit at the Texas State History Museum.

The inventory of my uncle's personal effects at the time of his death included four photographs, a book of Jewish scriptures, a Jewish prayer book, and a Jewish calendar.

A letter my Uncle Jerry wrote to his sister Gloria, my mother, on June 1, 1944. Among other things, the letter outlines a prank my uncle played on one of the officers. The apple didn't fall far from that tree.

Page 2 of my uncle's letter to my mom. Here, he gives her affectionate advice on her first time going to summer camp and asks questions about family and friends—including what to get their dad for Father's Day. He refers to his little sister as "Toots" and signs off "You brother, Jer."

The receipt my grandmother received upon the return of Uncle Jerry's remains to Yonkers, NY, on August 27, 1948.

Uncle Jerry's parents, my grandparents, received this letter in the mail in July 1947 telling them that, finally, the disinterment of WWII heros, including their son, had been authorized. It would be a long process, but they must have felt some small relief knowing their son's remains were on their way home.

My grandmother, Sadye, wrote this letter nearly a year after Uncle Jerry's death, requesting the application forms necessary to return his remains to Yonkers.

Page 2 of my grandmother's letter inquiring about her son's remains.

Uncle Jerry was reinterred at the Jewish Military Cemetery Gold Star Memorial in Yonkers, New York, when his remains were finally returned home nearly four years after he'd been killed in action..

Uncle Jerry in his Army uniform.

On April 10, 2001, my Uncle Jerry was posthumously awarded a bronze star for his service.

On April 10, 2001, my Uncle Jerry was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart for the fatal wounds received in action in France on November 16, 1944.

Uncle Jerry's Bar Mitzah photo next to his official Army portrait.