"I said to myself, 'I'm a soldier. Now I've got to wipe noses of little orphans that I have to pick up on the street.' That was quite a change for a military man." (Audio interview, 46:33)

Werner Krenzer

Werner Krenzer, detail from television program "The Strange War of Sergeant Krenzer" [1955] War: World War, 1939-1945; Korean War, 1950-1953 Branch: Army; Army Unit: Service Company, 34th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division Service Location: Philippines; Japan; Rome, Italy; United States; also: Korea; Taiwan; Pakistan Rank: Sergeant First Class; Sergeant First Class Place of Birth: **

Werner Krenzer was a veteran of two wars who never fired a shot but was immortalized in a TV drama. He was born in Germany in 1926; his family emigrated to America following Hitler's rise to power. He was made an American citizen after he was drafted to serve in the latter days of WWII. Krenzer re-enlisted after that war ended and during the Korean War, he was assigned to work with orphaned Korean children. His persistence and tireless devotion to the children did not go unnoticed. Several magazines told his story, and a TV producer soon contacted him for permission to portray his work. In 1955, the Armstrong Circle Theater presented "The Strange War of Werner Krenzer," with Richard Kiley. Krenzer's collection includes a complete version of the program.