Hello Everyone, I am happy to introduce myself to you. I am LCpl. Brian 'Chaos' Kaess (Ret.). I am a U.S. Disabled Veteran (10%) living in Durango, Mexico, with my Mexican wife Mayte and son Paul Jesus Kaess. I orignally hail from Chicago. My full name is Brian Paul Kaess. I served in both the U.S. Army and U.S. Marines (in Cuba). I enjoyed the U.S. Military alot. In WWII, I had family serve on both the German and American sides. So, WWII is very interesting from those very different family perspectives. I thought this site would be a good place to get the word out about my German Grandfather Sgt. Paul Ernst Kaess. I have written a family book called the Kaess/Ochiltree/Swartz Family History (2015), by Brian Paul Kaess. It details the WWII info of some of my Kaess, Dorschke, and Swartz Ancestors on both sides of the fighting. This book is available online at the New England Historic Genealogical Society. Well, three cheers for everyone and thanks for welcoming me aboard! Yours, Brian Kaess
Welcome to the Forum, Brian. Make yourself at home here. Your family's WWII history must have been interesting to research given that it includes both the Axis and Allied sides of the War.
Would love to hear about your family history, I came here originally researching my great uncle Samuel Swartz.
I remember back when I was a Private back in Echo Company in Basic Training at Ft. Jackson, S.C., in Jul 1985. Our drill instructor, SSG Robertson, said to us, "Men, your pain will be your gain. Your pain will be your gain." That stuck with me through life, even after I became a disabled vet.
There is an entry for LCpl. Brian Kaess at Our Military Heritage database, Peacetime service, Allen County Public Library in Ft. Wayne, Indiana. See following link: The Genealogy Center presents Our Military Heritage - Kaess, LCpl. Brian, U.S. Marines
Welcome Brian, thanks for your service. Our family also had relatives on both side during WWII. Without understanding the language I didn't have much luck with the German information except our cousin's names.