The Linden

About the Book

This is a story of hope during World War II, the heartwarming tale of a young German soldier and his encounters with American GI’s along the Roer River in Germany at Christmas time, in 1944. A giant linden tree becomes a symbol of hope and inspiration during that year’s hard winter.

About the Author

R. M. “Bud” Wilkes lives in Savannah, Georgia. His long career in maritime shipping extended from the study of foreign commerce at the University of Notre Dame, where he graduated in 1948, to the port cities of Norfolk, New Orleans, Houston, and Savannah. He survives his beloved wife of 50 years, Sara Garner, has three children, Mitch, Tom, and Barbara, a daughter-in-law, Carole, and one grandchild, Meredith. As a staff sergeant in World War II, he served with the 102nd Infantry Division along the Roer River in Germany during 1944-1945, and in the advance of the 102nd to Magdeburg, on the Elbe River. As a volunteer with a small band of soldiers of some renown called Rogers Raiders, he made frequent reconnaissance and combat missions across the Roer, and was awarded the Silver Star, the Bronze Star plus its Oak Leaf Cluster, the Purple Heart, an honorary Croix de Guerre and an honorary Russian Bravery Medal.