Brothers in Arms
As the 83rd anniversary of Pearl Harbor approached, we were reminded of the bravery and sacrifice of the men and women who served during World War II. One story in particular resonated deeply – the saga of Louis “Speedy” Weber, whose love letters to his wife during the war served as a poignant testament to their enduring bond. This moving account brought to mind the service of my own maternal uncle, Michael Kapella. Like Speedy, Uncle Mickey, from Camden, New Jersey, he too answered the call to duty, traversing a grueling path across the European theater.
Uncle Mickey’s journey began on June 9, 1942, at Fort Dix, New Jersey, where he was inducted into the U. D. Army. He was assigned to the 146th Engineer Combat Battalion, a unit tasked with the critical and often dangerous work of constructing and maintaining roads, bridges, and other infrastructure vital to the war effort. He spent nearly three years overseas, navigating the unforgiving landscapes of Africa, Sicily, Normandy, the Ardennes Forest during the Battle of the Bulge, and ultimately, Germany itself. Finally, on October 23, 1945, Uncle Mickey received his honorable discharge back at Fort Dix, ready to return to civilian life.
The Trail They Followed
It’s striking to learn that Uncle Mickey retuned home along the same path Louis “Speedy” Weber navigated through Italy, France and Germany. Could these two young men, separated by distance but united by their common purpose, have been comrades in arms? “It’s quite possible that he and Speedy were buddies in the same unit during the war,” concedes Patrick H. O’Leary, of Strongsville, Ohio, who recently reflected on the shared experiences of these two wartime heroes.
“They came from different states,” O’Leary remarks, “to be united in a common struggle to preserve a democracy they had just begun to appreciate in their young lives. They returned as quiet heroes to build our America.”
Patrick H. O’Leary,
Strongsville
How can personal narratives like the one shared about Michael Kapella help us better understand the broader historical context of World War II?
## Brothers in Arms: A Conversation
**Host:** Welcome back to the show. With the 83rd anniversary of Pearl Harbor upon us, we’ve been reflecting on the incredible bravery and sacrifices of those who served during World War II. We recently featured the poignant love letters of Louis “Speedy” Weber, a testament to the enduring power of human connection amidst conflict. This story resonated deeply with one of our viewers, who wrote in to share a similar tale about their own family member,
Joining us today is Alex Reed, whose uncle, Michael Kapella, also served with distinction in the European theater. Alex Reed, welcome to the show.
**Alex Reed:** Thanks for having me. It really meant a lot to see Speedy’s story, it brought back a lot of memories of my Uncle Mickey.
**Host:** Could you tell us a bit about your uncle’s journey?
**Alex Reed:** Of course. Uncle Mickey was from Camden, New Jersey, just like Speedy. He was inducted into the U.S. Army on June 9th, 1942, at Fort Dix. He was assigned to the 146th… [[1](https://archive.org/details/sinceyouwentaway00lito)]
**Host:** That’s fascinating. We know that letters home were so important during the war. Did your uncle write back to his family?
**Alex Reed:** He did! My grandmother treasured those letters. I wish I’d had the chance to read them, but unfortunately they were lost over the years.
**Host:** It’s understandable that some of these personal artifacts get lost to time. Do you know much about your uncle’s experiences in combat?
**Alex Reed:** I know he served in the European Theatre, but the specifics are a bit hazy. My family was very proud of him, but he didn’t talk much about his war experiences.
**Host:** That’s often the case. Many veterans found it difficult to share the emotional weight of what they had seen.
**Alex Reed:** Absolutely. I think it’s important to remember their sacrifices, even if the full story remains untold.
**Host:** I couldn’t agree more. Thank you so much for sharing your uncle’s story with us today, Alex Reed.
**Alex Reed:** My pleasure.
