[icopyright one button toolbar]
The Nazis could not bring him down when he flew 35 combat missions over occupied Europe as a B-17 bombardier during World War II.
Even the years — ninety-four of them — could not dampen the spirits nor dull the mind of this remarkable member of the Greatest Generation.
But a simple fall a few weeks ago sent John Tschirhart to the hospital where he finds himself once more in battle, this time fighting serious medical complications.
A “hopeless romantic” in some ways and and a “softie” in many other ways, John is tenaciously fighting this latest battle, but he needs our prayers.
Although I have written several times about my good friend, the French American — please note, no hyphenation — forgive me for refreshing memories with excerpts from previous narratives.
This is what I wrote when I first met John Tschirhart about five years ago:
He told me he was of French descent. That, I believed immediately.
He also told me he was 90 years old. That, I could hardly believe.
He then told me his life story. I could say “unbelievable,” but that would be an understatement.
And this is a very abbreviated version of John’s endeavors during World War II:
John Tschirhart was born in San Antonio, Texas, in 1920, but was living in France when the Nazis invaded at the outbreak of World War II. John, then 20, had fallen in love with a beautiful, young French girl named Malou.
After surviving the Luftwaffe’s bombing of the little town where they lived, John and Malou flee to the relative safety of Paris.
But because John is an American, he risks capture by the Nazis and deportation to some forced labor camp in Germany — or worse. After a couple of close calls with German patrols, an inconsolable John leaves his young love behind and joins the hordes of refugees seeking safe passage out of France.
John eventually makes his way back to his native San Antonio and enlists in the Army Air Corps as the U.S. enters World War II. After being commissioned as a second lieutenant, John becomes a bombardier on the fabled B-17 “Flying Fortress” bomber.
In 1943, this French American ships out to England and is assigned to the 305th Bombardment Group. His official mission: to bomb Nazi installations and strategic targets in Nazi-occupied Europe. His private mission: to find Malou.
While making bombing runs over Nazi-occupied France and when nearby Malou’s hometown, the love-struck bombardier tosses out of his bomber small boxes suspended from handkerchief parachutes and follows their descent among the heavy flak from the anti-aircraft guns below, hoping and praying that someone will deliver the box’s contents — a rose and a love letter — to the love of his life, Malou.
When his assignment as a B-17 bombardier comes to an end in 1944 — after flying 35 combat missions over Europe — John, now a highly decorated Army intelligence officer, rolls out onto the beaches of Normandy just two days after D-Day.
Eventually, John makes it to the hotel in Paris where he last saw Malou three long years before.
John has heard rumors that Malou has joined the French Resistance. Will she remember him? Will she still love him? Has she been captured? Is she still alive?
Sounds like the stuff for a movie, you say. Definitely!
But first, the rest of the story:
After World War II, Maj. Tschirhart went on to serve his country meritoriously in Laos, Vietnam, Libya and the U.S.
Now living in Austin, Texas, John continues to receive the highest recognition for his World War II service. A few years ago, the Governor of France’s Low-Normandy presented La Médaille du Jubilé to John in a ceremony in Austin, Texas, honoring his action in the Battle of Normandy.
Last year, during ceremonies aboard the Battleship USS Texas commemorating the 70th anniversary of D-Day, the Consul General of France pinned the Medal of Chevalier (Knight) in the French Order of the Legion of Honor, France’s highest and most prestigious decoration, on John Tschirhart’s chest. (Below)
Those who believe that the story of John Tschirhart is one that should be made into a movie “about romance, amour, passion and heartbreak; about war, suffering, intrigue, spies and heroism,” hopefully will not be disappointed.
Denver-based Darla Rae and her “Film It Productions” have taken on the task of bringing John’s story to the big screen in a feature film named — you guessed it — “The French American.”
Rae, who has great admiration for our troops, considers working with a World War II veteran “a once in a lifetime opportunity for a filmmaker” and hopes to share with Americans, especially the younger generations, a fascinating World War II story that needs to be told now.
Darla Rae:
I believe it is important to tell this story because as the veterans of World War II age and pass away, their stories are passing with them. It is important as an independent filmmaker to show the world that we can make a difference through film, and help pay tribute to, not only John for what he gave and what was taken from him, but also all of the other WWII vets whose stories have gone untold. All soldiers and their families have given so much, and we want to raise the flag and salute them, dedicating this film to all military past, present and future.
Three months ago, before Tschirhart’s accident, Rae and her crew flew to La Porte, Texas, where the now-retired Battleship Texas is moored and filmed some scenes for the movie.
Please watch what the movie industry calls a “teaser” for The French American, with 94-year young Major John Tschirhart himself in a cameo role, below.
But most of all, keep this veteran in your thoughts and prayers.
Read more about John here and here.
Lead photo: B-17 Bombardier John Tschirhart during World War II
B-17 Bomber photo: www.shutterstock.com
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.