The Destiny of an Emigrant Boy is a compelling biography of a young Danish man who, like many of his compatriots, emigrated to the United States in the early 1900s. The book recounts his childhood in a poor community in Vendsyssel, Northern Denmark, and follows his journey across the Atlantic to a new life in America. It goes on to describe his conscription into the U.S. Army, his return to Europe to fight in World War I, his participation in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, and ultimately, his tragic fate on the battlefield in the final days of the war.
Excerpt from the book
Although Markus was only lightly wounded in the thigh, Captain McGeachin ordered him back to the nearest field hospital, which was in Beaumont-en-Argonne (Meuse), and he was taken aboard an ambulance with 8 other soldiers. The ambulance was probably from the 355th Ambulance Company, 314th Sanitary Train, which was attached to the 89th Division. Before he left, Captain McGeachin shook Markus’s hand, stating that his wound was not that bad and that he would be back with Company B within the next few days.
About the author
Per Gyldendal Melberg (born January 9, 1965, in Skærum, Vendsyssel, Denmark) holds an M.Sc. in Economics and Commercial Law from the University of Aarhus. For the past 25 years, he has lived and pursued his professional career in Switzerland. Throughout his life, he has maintained a strong interest in history, particularly in topics related to the two World Wars.