The Nilan Brothers Sacrifice
1944
The Niland family had four sons serving in WWII. Edward, Preston, Robert and Fritz. In June 1944 during the D-Day invasion and aftermath, Preston was killed on Omaha Beach, Robert was reported missing and presumed dead, and Edward's plane was shot down over Burma. Fritz, fighting in Normandy, learned of his brother's fate and was pulled from the front lines under the new "Sole Survivor Policy" (inspired by the loss of the Sullivan brothers). He survived the war but the loss shattered the family. Their mother Agnes kept their photos on the mantle saying, "They gave everything so others could come home."
Only after Fritz was sent home did he learn that his brother Edward was captive in a Japanese POW camp in Burma. He lived until 1984.
Fritz later visited Normandy Cemeteries placing flowers on his brother's graves (Roberts body was later found and buried beside Preston.) The Niland story which partly inspired the film, "Saving Private Ryan" still brings tears to brothers who fought side by side and the families who bore the cost of freedom.