As the oppression from the Fascist Regime in Italy intensified, the feeling to leave the old country and come to America was almost irresistible, and beyond description. Sam Lombardo's arrival in America turned his dreams of freedom into reality. This inspiration and his love for history showed him the value of fighting for freedom as Americans have done since our beginnings. He became convinced that the military was the place where he could contribute the most to his country.

On November 11, 1939 Mr. Lombardo joined the 110th Infantry Regiment, 28th Division of the Pennsylvania National Guard and graduated from Officer Candidate School, Fort Benning, Georgia, in the grade of second lieutenant. Volunteering for combat duty he joined the 99th Infantry Division in November 1944. O'er the Land of the Free depicts some of the author's experiences from his first 10 years in Italy through his combat experiences in World War II. Some of the stories are humorous and some are tragic, but all lead up to the challenging task of making the American flag, using whatever materials could be secured. This flag, pieced together, under combat conditions, by the author and many of his soldiers, was the first to cross the Remagen Bridge.

The author includes eyewitness accounts of his part in the Battle of the Bulge, Remagen Bridgehead, Ruhr Pocket, and Central European campaigns. After Germany's surrender, Lombardo was stationed in various parts of Germany and was involved in the preparation for the trial at Nuremberg.

About: Samuel Lombardo

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