The Exciting Life of an Emigre

About the Book

A story of the life of a peasant boy wearing hobnailed, cobbler-made shoes coming to America in time for the struggle of survival during the great depression. He learned to fly during his military service through the war years. He worked in industry until retirement. His hobbies include restoring cars, airplanes, and building one of his own design.

About the Author

Richard H. Kurzenberger was born in Germany on November 11th, 1918. He want to school in Germany until the third grade and then immigrated to the United States. Kurzenberger knew no English when he began attending a country school in Montmorenci, Indiana. There he lived on a farm and helped to raise a herd of registered Guernsey cattle.

Kurzenberger later bought an old airplane powered by a WWI engine and did some barnstorming. He worked part time at Purdue University airport and met people that would make headlines later, such as Mike Murphy who headed the Glider forces on D-Day. There he also met Amelia Earhart while she was a Professor at Purdue University. He was hired by US Air Force as a civilian pilot to ferry military aircraft and later received an appointment as Flight Officer in the US Air Force. He flew the "Hump" credit for 94 missions flying B-24 types. Kurzenberger received Air Medals from battle stars to a theater ribbon, as well as a distinguished flying cross and honorary senior pilot's wings from China.