Half Kraut, half Jap: lotta KRAP.

Karl Koessel
Blue Lake, CA

German-descent St, Louis raised 16-year-old volunteers for war. Japan surrenders while he’s in boot camp. Sent as occupational soldier, but really doing puberty. Comes to Berkeley in 1951 with new wife for school and I am first of 7 children to come. Growing up in mixed neighborhood where groups appeared to be made by race, and with Cher singing Half-Breed”, never felt I would “fit” in.


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