VAntage Point
Joseph Demler: The Human Skeleton of World War II
World War II Veteran Joseph Demler became a Nazi prisoner of war and lived under miserable conditions. Even so, he remained positive throughout the experience.
Joseph G. Demler graduated from high school in June 1944. Ten days later, he received a draft letter to serve in the U.S. Army. With few options, the 18-year old packed his belongings and headed to Camp Blanding, Florida, for 17 weeks of basic training. After completing his training, Demler went to Camp Shanks, New York. There, he boarded a convoy and set sail for Europe on Nov. 22, 1944, leaving for a journey that put his resolve to the test.