237437 PFC Joe Edward "Red" Fortner United States Army Coy. I 317 Infantry Regiment from:Lambert, MS, USA Joe Fortner was captured 29th of November 1944 near Marienthal, France and was taken to Stalag IVB where he remained until liberated by the Red Army. He said they had little food. At some point he and a buddy shared a jar of yellow mustard which he never liked after that. He "volunteered" to work since they were promised better food. That consisted of a horse leg, which they threw out. He said a week later they retrieved the frozen leg & ate it. He shared that he and his buddy knew they were going to starve to death and had made a pack to escape and gathered what "provisions" they could. Thankfully they were liberated before they escaped.
My father lived to be nearly 92 yrs old. He talked more about his experiences when he was older, but not so much when young. They were truly the Great Generation and lived through some very rough times. Those serving in the war, and those left in the States that loved them. My father and three of his brothers and several cousins all made it through. Many prayers were offered up for them by a loving mother.
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