The Long Way Home
An American Journey from Ellis Island to the Great War
David Laskin

Conrad August Westerberg’s Story

Sunday, June 27th, 2010

Seattle resident Donald Lorentz writes:

My maternal grandfather, Conrad August Westerberg, was an immigrant member of the World War I generation. He immigrated from Lannas, Sweden (Orobro Province) to Sioux City, Iowa, in 1912. He had an elder brother in that city. In 1917, soon after the US entered the War, he enlisted in the Army at age 29 1/2. In 1918 he became a US citizen, just prior to his deployment to France. Thanks to your research, we now know why he was able to obtain citizenship at that time. Once in France he served in combat, though we do not know the details of where exactly he fought.

Once he returned to Iowa in 1919, he joined with his brother to purchase and operate a Mobile service station, and became an active member of the American Legion, as well as Rotary and all sorts of American organizations. Ultimately he moved to Everett, Washington, where he ultimately became a member of the School Board, and remained active in so many organizations. He died in 1972 after a most productive life.

I often wondered why it was that he became such a vibrant American citizen, while my fraternal grandfather, also a Swedish immigrant, remained tied to the Swedish immigrant community throughout his life. We suspected that World War I participation had a role in their different perspectives. After reading your book we are absolutely assured that such was indeed the case.

I am now in the process of trying to learn more specifically the Army units in which he participated, and where exactly he served. We have numerous photos he brought back from the war, but have no other specific information.

Another interesting family sidelight on Conrad A. Westerberg. He was always proud of his Army service but never spoke much about it. After he passed away at age 84, we found his photo book from the Great War. He commented many times that the people from his unit in various photos had been killed in battle – a high percentage. Later, I learned that while my mother was pregnant with me in 1942 my grandfather (and her Dad) clearly hoped I would be a girl, no a boy, so I would not have to go to war. He always hoped each grandkid would be a girl. He clearly knew the cost, but was proud of his service.

Best wishes to you, and thank you again for completing such a meaningful work.

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Allan Denenberg’s Father’s Story

Sunday, June 27th, 2010

My father could have been one of your subjects. Shortly after emigrating from Poland he was drafted. He was given the choice of serving and thereby automatic citizenship, or refusing, in which case he could NEVER become a citizen. He chose to serve and saw action in France. He never talked about the war and we never pressed him. Two things I thought would interest you. I once asked him if he encountered anti-semitism in the army. He replied that he found very little of it, which surprised me. He also told me that during the high holy days he was pulled from the line and boarded with a French Jewish family for the ten day period. I guess the army really was sensitive to ethnic and religious considerations.

My father told me that upon discharge he appeared before a judge who told that it was an honor to bestow citizenship upon him. That was a source of great pride to him. Your book made me regret not having pressed him more about his wartime experiences. It also instilled great pride in him for what he did but never talked about. Thank you for your fine book.

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