Sandra O'Connell, Harry Butowsky Captain Ralph Minker

Sandra O'Connell married Ralph L. Minker in 1980, unaware that he had been a B-17 pilot in WWII. The discovery in 1993 of a huge cache of letters that Ralph and his family exchanged from 1943 through 1945 brought those war years to life. The more than 800 letters are the only known collection from an entire family; Sandra got to know her mother-in-law through reading the letters aloud.

The letters and Ralph's post-war scrapbook became the basis of their book, An American Family in World War II. Ralph, Sandra and WWII historian Harry Butowsky worked on the book together for several years. We never tired of reading the intimate letters and talking with Ralph about those years.

Sandra's prior writing experience includes nine years as technology editor for Human Resource Magazine during the 1990s. She also wrote a business textbook, The Manager as Communicator, in the 1970s. Working with Ralph and Harry on the book was a gift every writer would treasure.

An American Family in World War II is the legacy of a wonderful man who reminds us of the sacrifices made by an entire generation for our freedom.