ARTIST- DEL JESSEN, Multi- Media

Early in 1943, my father, Albert Jessen got orders to join OPERATION TORCH, the gigantic allied invasion of North Africa. He was a MEDIC in the 755th Tank Battalion. His battalion was stationed at Oran, Algiers, and tasked with training French and Morroccan soldiers in the operation of American tanks and mobile guns. After nine months in North Africa his battalion was ordered into close combat in Italy in support of the Allied French Expeditionary Corp, where he managed combat Aid Stations and drove an M1A half-track ambulance. In November, 1944, he learned he had accumulated adequate SERVICE POINTS to be rotated back to the states. While in Italy his 755th Tank Battalion was awarded the FRENCH CROIX de GUERRE for their service in training French soldiers while in North Africa. During his overseas service, Albert wrote 359 letters home to his new wife back in Minnesota. Today my family still has these precious letters and hold them as a cherished keepsake from the best man we ever knew.

I am a US Army veteran and have been creating pen and ink drawings since the 1970's. I worked professionally as a commercial video producer for 22 years at broadcast TV stations and corporate production entities in several cities. I also spent 8 years on the teaching staff in a public high school Special Education program in Austin, Texas, before I retired 8 years ago.

FOR EXHIBIT ONLY- NOT FOR SALE