Embedded Files
Belgium
1939
Osterville, MA
2017
Name:
Willy Tant
Date of Birth:
November 26, 1922
Branch of Service:
Army/Intelligence Operation
Dates of Service:
September 1939- August 1945
Location of Military Service:
Germany
Residence at Time of Interview:
Osterville, MA
Willy Tant's Story:
Willy Tant is currently 94 years old and lives in Osterville Massachusetts alone with his poodle and the occasional visits from close friends. He is a survivor of World War II.
Willy began his life in Belgium and visited his father in New York every so often while still living in Belgium with most of his relatives. When he was just 17, World War II broke out. Every day he was traveling, trying to get away from harm, but also helping people along the way.
Willy Tant was recruited during the War because of his impressive knowledge of over 4 languages. The United States Army needed someone who knew so many languages, a translator. He spoke fluently in Dutch, French, German, English, and a few smaller known languages in Europe. Willy was a great asset to the Army, providing assistance whenever needed. He also worked for the OSS, Office of Stratigic Services, today the CIA, mostly underground work and spying on Germans for long periods of time, looking for information to give back to the American Army.
After War life, Willy Tant settled down with his wife, Martha, in Osterville, and he's lived there ever since.
The picture above is of Wily Tant and his mother when he was an infant around 1923. It was a portrait created in Belgium.
Above is a picture of his father going to work in World War I, before Willy was born. After Willy was born and the war was over, his dad went to New York and became a college professor.
Above is a page from Willy's scrap book of photo's from his war time.
The one where he is pointing is a group of young boys including him in the army, others include after the war, a reunion shortly after and you can see them in front of a pond in New York.
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