The long wait that confronted American soldiers stranded in Europe after Hitler surrendered in May 1945 was something that the American people -- himself included -- preferred not to remember, Mac O'Brien recalled. Three million soldiers had arrived in Europe in batches; now they all had to get home.

The difficulties involved were little known by his daughter's generation, but although it was not on his shoulders, Mac remembered the enormous task and its impact not only on the soldiers themselves but also their waiting families at home. All the now stranded men and women wanted to be home in time for Christmas 1945. But for some, the wait was longer.

If Pete Lafitte had been severely wounded in the dangerous attack on Mt Belevere, he would have been transported home in March of 1945 -- before the end of the War. Otherwise, soon after the Church bells rang in Riva, and General Hays presented his men with cognac and champagne, it would have been clear that the point system -- which gave returning home preference to men who had seen the most European service -- would not favor the men of the 10th Mountain Division.

Unless he was now severely injured, instead of going home, Lt Lafitte would probably have been sent to North Eastern Italy to join the British Army in confronting still simmering Yugoslavian border disputes.

Then, when the bulk of the 10th were finally shipped home, it was not to their families, It was to prepare for the then planned invasion of Japan.