Joe Dew a Glorious Life

Book excerpt: Joe Dew's inspiring story is one of hard work, adventure, and family. Raised in rural Iowa in the 1920s, the son of a struggling blacksmith during the Great Depression, he learned to survive and thrive. After graduation, he traveled the country, riding the rails and finding work in the wheat fields of the Great Plains, and panning for gold in Idaho. Helping in the war effort from Alaska to the European Theater of WWII, he fought with the 741st Tank battalion. Joe risked his life to break through the Siegfried Line crossing into Germany and earned the Distinguished Service Cross for his heroic effort. During the Battle of the Bulge, he took out five German Panzers and earned the Bronze Star. Joe returned to Iowa to marry, finish college, and join the work force for General Motors in Flint, Michigan. Elaine Briggs brings her father's journey to life and tells his story as only a daughter could.