Arve R. Pisani

Arve R. Pisani resides in Porsgrunn, Telemark, Norway, and has dedicated himself to extensive studies on the fighting in Normandy in 1944 since 1974. Over a seven-year period, from 1974 to 1981, he conducted interviews with more than three hundred veterans from the United States, Canada, Great Britain, Poland, Germany, and Austria. During this time, he received an average of 10-15 letters daily, containing personal stories, maps, sketches, photos, and various other materials.

To this day, he continues to receive new stories, typically from the relatives of veterans. Throughout the years, he has amassed numerous primary documents from national archives in different countries. These documents include a substantial volume of war diaries, After Action Reports, Combat Interviews, Military Studies, ETHINTs (European Theater Historical Interrogations), unpublished manuscripts, and various other materials such as maps and photos.

His latest book, published together with his son Antoni, was released in January 2024, and titled “Spalding’s Heroes: The Boys from Landing Craft PA45-1 on Omaha Beach, June 6, 1944.” Pisani's primary expertise lies in delving into World War II history on a micro level, with a particular emphasis on highlighting the experiences of individual soldiers within their accurate historical framework. Many of these soldiers' personal narratives have regrettably been overlooked or forgotten by history, but Pisani's meticulous research and analysis have now shed new light on their compelling stories.