I cannot rate this book highly enough. Published in2025, it is an instant classic. What follows is only a brief partial outline of this true story.

The story is written in parallels, alternating between the story of the Americans who would form D Company 32nd Armored Regiment – 3rd Armored Spearhead Division and Eddie Willner (the author’s father) and Maurits (Mike) Swaab, two Jewish teens who survived the Nazi death camps. In this book, the true tragedy of the Jewish plight unfolds in a very personal way.

Eddie was the only son of Siegfried and Auguste and one of a large Willner family. In pre-War Germany, Eddie went from being the class clown and favorite kid to being a pariah and ultimately being kicked out of school because he was Jewish. Siegfried went from a German patriot, decorated (Iron Cross for valor and bravery) World War I veteran who played Santa Claus for his Christian neighbor’s family, to being just another “dirty Jew.”

But the relationship between Siegried and Eddie was embroidered through the story. Siegfried was a soldier at heart. Eddie’s happy-go-lucky, prankster ways were too unserious for Siegried. As Eddie grew up, Siegfried took him more and more in hand. Siegfried made Eddie stand at attention when he spoke to him, taught him proper posture, kept a switch handy, and ultimately worked him very hard on hikes and exercise.

When Eddie complained, Siegfried forced another round of exercise and hiking. While seemingly harsh, especially by today’s “let’s be friends” parenting, the firmness of Siegfried’s style bore fruit by instilling strength and seriousness into Eddie – strength he would need later on.

The Americans of Company D were from all over the U.S. The lieutenant was a farmer, Elmer Hovland of Kenneth, Minnesota, son of Norwegian immigrants. He had no college but, somehow, when he joined the Army, Elmer was recognized for his leadership and was sent officer school. Sammy DeCola was from Waltham, Massachusetts. He was the son of Italian immigrants who ran a diner. Sammy was raised working in the family restaurant.

Elmer and Sammy’s families struggled both as immigrants and through the difficulties of the depression, but they formed the backbone of Company D. In true military fashion, in Company D, after boot camp, Sammy became known as “Pepsi.” He got his military job assignment when he said, “I can cook.” Sammy was charged with feeding Company D. Elmer was so respected by his men that he was only known as “Lieutenant. “

The story ranges from the Willners’ attempt to escape the Nazis by first fleeing to Belgium, then to northern France and finally to Vichy France where they worked in the vineyards for several months before being betrayed to the Nazis.

When captured, Siegfried was 48 and Eddie was 16. Auguste was 45. They were transported to Poland in a cattle car. Siegfried and Eddie were selected for a work camp in Kosel, Poland but Auguste was sent to Auschwitz where she likely went straight to the gas chamber. Siegfried and Eddie befriended Mike was a bit younger than Eddie and the sole survivor of his Belgian Jewish family.

About the same time that Company D landed at Omaha Beach (June 24, 1944), Siegfried, Eddie and Mike were sent to Auschwitz where they worked at the German North Plant, a critical German factory producing synthetic oil, a three mile walk from Auschwitz.

Siegfried, by his actions, showed Eddie how to survive the daily roll calls. Always stand up tall and straight. Always bark out, as needed, “I am ready to work.” At one point, one of the Polish guards was speaking German so poorly that Eddie laughed and was beaten for laughing. Afterwards, instead of comforting Eddie, Siegfried proceeded to slap and berate Eddie stressing that Eddie could have been killed. This was no time for frolic or flippancy.

Meanwhile, Company D fought its way across Germany in Sherman tanks – tanks that were fast but thinly armored and, in many ways, inferior to the German Panzers. But, Company D learned how to use strategy and speed to enable them to succeed in battle.

Siegfried, about the time he turned 50, was worn out by hard work and starvation. He was ultimately sent to the infirmary, a death sentence. This left Eddie and Mike alone.

Six days before Auschwitz was liberated by the Russians, Eddie and Mike were force-marched180 miles to Germany to work in the underground weapons plants that were Hitler’s last stand. In those caves the average worker’s life span was six weeks. Yet, Eddie and Mike survived eight weeks.

As the Allied forces neared, the caverns were evacuated and the prisoners were being force-marched again – probably to their deaths. Eddie and Mike escaped under a plan where several inmates agreed that at “go” time they would all run a different direction. “Go” time came and Eddie and Mike ran – Eddie was shot in the arm but kept running.

After hiding for six days, Eddie and Mike met up with Company D. Wearing their concentration camp rags, weighing about 75 pounds, they jumped in front of an American tank with their hands raised. The tanker jammed on the brakes, squinted to figure out what he was looking at and radioed, “Lieutenant, you better get up here. There’s something you’re gonna want to see.” In that confrontation, Eddie and Mike walked from the darkness into the light.

American soldiers had been ordered not to get involved with the multitude of refugees that were appearing from everywhere, but the Lieutenant sent Eddie and Mike to the rear to get cleaned up and then charged Pepsi with tending them. The Lieutenant declared, “They’re with us now.” Eddie and Mike gave Company D a living example of why they were fighting.

The Boys in the Light is testimony to family and friendship, and to toughness. The toughness Siegfried instilled in Eddie gave Eddie the backbone and mental toughness he needed to endure and beat the odds. Eddie and Mike were a team and their friendship, together with the example they were shown by Siegfried, enabled them to survive. Despite the horrors, Siegfried, Eddie and Mike held onto their humanity. Company D chose humanity over orders when confronted with that hard choice.

Overall, The Boys in the Light is a testament to survival and resilience. Nina Willner effectively shows that toughness is not only about enduring hardship, but about holding onto humanity in the darkest moments. The book leaves readers with a lasting appreciation for the quiet bravery of those who lived through unimaginable circumstances—and those who chose to help.

If you would like to read your own copy of The Boys in the Light, you can find it here:
The Boys in the Light Available on Amazon.