Be All You Can Be: From a Hitler Youth in WWII to a US Army Green Beret

The author Dieter H.B. Protsch is an immigrant from Germany who was given the opportunity of a lifetime in 1956 to start a new life in a country and a culture so very different from the one he had left. His upbringing by very ideological and dedicated non-sectarian parents instilled in him a solid sense of honor, honesty, patriotism and the willingness to learn and work under the most adverse conditions.

Born in Berlin, the capitol of Germany on April 29, 1932, he survived the aerial bombardments of Berlin during WWII. He lost his home and was evacuated to the Polish border region. His father was serving in the German Airborne in Africa under Field Marshal Erwin Rommel. During the Soviet advance in Germany his family joined the "trek" fleeing back to Berlin.

During the siege by the Soviet Army, he fought against the invading Russian troops, was briefly captured but escaped. After the surrender he survived occupation by the communist forces.

When the US Army became part of the occupation forces in Berlin they were fortunate to be located in the new American Sector of Berlin. Surrounded by the Soviet Occupation Force but longing to join the father in the American Zone in Western Germany he fled from Berlin through the Soviet Zone in 1948. He was given the chance to work for the US Army and was sponsored for emigration. Once in the USA, he registered for the draft, as required and subsequently volunteered for service in the US Army. Advancing from an enlisted to a commissioned officer status, he successfully trained and graduated as a Ranger, Paratrooper, Jungle Warfare Expert, and a "Green Beret" in the US Army's Special Forces.

He hadthree separate tours in Germany, combat area tours in the Republic of Korea at PanMunJom and in Viet-Nam during the Tet-Offensive from 1967-1968. Among his many decorations he is proud to have earned the Combat Infantryman's Badge.

Major Dieter H.B. Protsch retired after a very successful military career of 20 years at Fort Bragg, North Carolina on 31 July 1976. His subsequent endeavors included volunteer work for military associations, veteran's organizations and service to the community.