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We've don't have a shortage of heroes from the days of World War 2. The enormity of the conflict ensured that hundreds of thousands would be involved. Statistically speaking, you know that means there'd be thousands of men among those who fought a two-front war and won. One of those men is none other than Martin Gelb. Captain Gelb (United States Army) was in the realms of support and big Army assets...alone and unafraid. Despite his fellow Office of Strategic Services (OSS, what is now the CIA) compatriots, they didn't have tanks, medical aid stations, large infantry battalions covering their flanks. They were alone, in Hitler's Europe, paving the way for the invasion forces.We all know well the enormity of D-Day, June 6th, 1944 the day the allies assaulted the beaches of Normandy to finally embark on the great adventure to end the tyranny of a mad-man. But little do we know the story of men like Martin Gelb. Men who were behind enemy lines, feeding intelligence, supporting the resistance, always close to getting caught by the Nazis.Martin Gelb fed information to the Allies in preparation for D-Day.Martin Gelb helped liberate the concentration camp Buchenwald.
Martin and his fellow OSS compatriots, men like Peter Ortiz, often unknown to the masses, ensured that the resistance and the Allies were set up for success. Operating in extremely hostile territory. Risking his life for intelligence and supplies Captain Gelb, carried on, never asking for attention for himself.
Only as of late have his heroics been noticed and recognized by the United States. Better late than never we guess. Captain Martin Gelb served his country against arguably one of the most technologically advanced and well-trained militaries of the era and was successful in his mission. For his efforts with the OSS, he was awarded a Congressional Gold Medal (bronzed).Read More Stories of American Grit:
