Walter Eldredge

The Author embarks on a personal and historical quest to uncover the story of his father, Captain Paul Eldredge, and his service in the 2nd Chemical Mortar Battalion during World War II. What begins as a curiosity about his father’s wartime experiences quickly turns into a deep investigation, leading him to reunions with veterans, military archives, and firsthand accounts of the battalion’s role in some of the war’s most crucial battles.

 

The 2nd Chemical Mortar Battalion, an often-overlooked yet highly effective unit, played a significant role in the European Theater. The battalion was equipped with the 4.2-inch chemical mortar, originally designed for gas warfare but adapted for use with high-explosive shells. Eldredge retraces their journey from their early training at Edgewood Arsenal through the amphibious landings in Sicily and Italy, the harrowing battles at Cassino and Anzio, and their eventual march through France and Germany. Through detailed research and personal anecdotes, the book brings to life the realities of combat, the challenges of leadership, and the unbreakable bonds formed between soldiers.

 

Along the way, Eldredge introduces readers to the men who served alongside his father, such as First Sergeant John Durkovitz, whose resourcefulness and leadership played a critical role in keeping the unit effective under fire. He recounts the camaraderie, ingenuity, and occasional mischief of the soldiers, from outsmarting supply shortages to the black-market dealings that kept morale high. Through these narratives, the book not only highlights battlefield heroics but also the everyday struggles and moments of levity that sustained the troops.

 

As Eldredge pieces together the past, he also reflects on the impact of war on those who served and their families. He examines how his father’s experiences shaped him, how veterans process their memories, and the importance of preserving their stories before they fade with time. The book serves as both a tribute to the sacrifices of the Greatest Generation and a guide for others looking to research their own family’s military history.

Rich in historical detail, personal reflection, and gripping storytelling, Finding My Father’s War is more than just a war memoir—it is a son’s journey to understand his father, a soldier’s story of courage and survival, and an enduring testament to the men who fought in one of history’s most defining conflicts.