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Service & Sacrifice: Concentration camp liberator recalls the horrors of Dachau

"When they saw that the Americans had come to save them, they got so excited they had a heart attack and just died," recalled a World War II veteran from East Tennessee who was among the first soldiers to liberate the concentration camp known as Dachau.

One of the proudest moments of 96-year-old Bill Brazelton’s life unfolded 75 years ago when he was among the first soldiers to liberate the Nazi concentration camp known as Dachau.

“There were coats, just piles of coats. Another place there were piles of shirts, piles of shoes,” recalled Mr. Brazelton, his voice trailing off.

“We found out they (German guards) were cremating those people as fast as they could. But they ran out of coal and they couldn’t run the crematory anymore,” the decorated soldier said.

At age 20 he witnessed the horror of two dozen box car loads of mostly Jewish prisoners, in various stages of health, crammed on top of one another.

10News anchor John Becker asked Mr. Brazelton if he could believe man could do that to his fellow man.

“No, I couldn’t, but I had the proof right there that they could,” Mr. Brazelton said.

96-year-old World War II veteran Bill Brazelton holding of picture of him in his Army uniform at age 20.

In addition to our camera interview Mr. Brazelton took time to answer the following 10 questions about the influence of his almost three-year Military career had on his life.

1. What one person influenced you most in life?

I think my father's influence kept me on the right road.

2. Do you feel honored and respected for serving your country?

Yes. In my later years I am proud that I had the opportunity.

3. How can people thank you for your service?

People have thanked me. Just a "thank you" makes me feel proud.

4. How do you honor your fellow men and women?

I belong to the American Legion and some charities that help those who served.

5. How do you think this generation of service men & women is different or similar to yours?

The conflicts today are different than WWII.

6. What influence did your military service have on the rest of your life?

I learned to respect those who were superior and to learn from them.

7. Does your family have a history of military?

Yes My father served in WWI and his officer was Capt. D. D. Eisenhower. My son has retired from the Army as a Lt. Colonel.

8. Would you encourage your son, daughter or other younger generations in your family to join the service?

That would be their decision, but my service might have had some influence.

9. After seeing it and living it, how has your opinion of war changed?

There will be wars. The earth will probably destroy itself as weapons get more powerful

10. How did your military experience shape your religious faith?

There are no atheists in foxholes.

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