A beautiful story and thank you for posting it. My Dad also served in WWII and we only have short stories which I loved hearing. We found out only after his death in 2007 that he had received a Silver Star [found in safety deposit box] and I’d love to find out more. I had no idea about the fire though and hope I can get more info.
UPDATE!!!!! while we were in Delta, Utah on our trip we noticed a car with New Hampshire plates. The next morning as we were heading out fossil hunting I met the driver and struck up a conversation. I asked what brought him out to Utah and got a shock—he was with a company called Longshot films and they were making a documentary on WWII vets. He was out doing interviews of Veterans. Well I gave him all my contact info for Mr.Andert and told him the story I posted above. Mr. Andert called and said he had been contacted and had an interview. Sometimes things just come together.