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I am Wm. R. Van Osdol, Ph.D. a World War Two pictorial/historian. I have a huge
collection of WW II nose art photos, World War Two Hollywood movie photos, plus many other items. This site will offer
information relative to my published books and a pethora of WW II information. I wish to share with anyone interested
in World War Two. To order any book from the author please do so through my e-mail. I will mail the books and
you can send a personal check upon receipt. I trust all readers. vanokc@aol.com
EDUCATION
U. S. Navy - 1945-46-47
North Oklahoma Jr. College 1948-50
Cumberland University
Tennessee, Law School, 1950
Central State College, Oklahoma, B.A. 1950-51
Oklahoma University Law School, 1951 -52
Wichita State University, Kansas, 1955-56
University of Oklahoma - M.Ed. 1961
University of Oklahoma - Ph.D.
1964
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EMPLOYMENT
1952-63 High School Football Coach and English teacher -During those years I taught a total
of 9 years in Oklahoma, Imperial Valley, California; Chula Vista. California, and Wichita, Kansas.
1954-56 - Material
Planner for Boeing Aircraft, Wichita, Kansas.
1961-63 - Flight Instructor at Wichita, Kansas.
!963-64
- Ph.D. Fellowship at the University of Oklahoma
1964-1993 - Professor of Special Education and Psychology
at the University of Central Oklahoma, also during those years I was a psychologist for 12 years for a Psychiatric Adolescent
Hospital, and had a part time private practice psychology office.
1993-to present - Professor Emeritus at
UCO, traveled the world doing World War Two research and authoring books related to WW II.
2000 and 2007 - Taught
college English and Psychology at sea on board two different Nuclear Aircraft Carriers - USS Abraham Lincoln CVN-72,
and the USS Ronald Reagan CVN-76. We were in and out of many ports. I flew from Guam and landed on the deck of the Reagan
in Feb-07 and weeks later catapulted off the flight deck to fly to Okinawa to catch a civilian airline home.
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BOOKS - ARTICLES - AND PAPERS PUBLISHED AND PRESENTED
"Putting Your Newspaper to Work" Burgess Publishing Co. Minneapolis, Minn. 1970
"Learning Disabilities
(K-12) Manual, Idaho Research Foundation, University of Idaho, 1973, textbook, co-authored with Dr. Don Shane and Dr.
Bob Van Osdol
"Exceptional Children, Psychology-Survey, W. C. Brown Publishing Co. 1972, Co-authored
with Dr. Don Shane.
"Introduction to Exceptional Children, Psychology/Education" W. C. Brown Publishing,
1974, Advanced edition of the above-listed text, Second Edition, 1977, Third Edition, 1982. Co-authored with Dr. Don
Shane.
"Teaching Adolescent Schizophrenics in a Hospital Setting" Redepsi, Pe Psicologla Clinca Del Hospital
Psyquiatrico Nacional, Republica of Panama, 1973.
"Categorization of Normal and Subnormal Boys Using Visual
Cues" - Presented at Montpellier University France at International Association of Mental Deficiency Congress, 1967.
"A Comparison of Normal and Subnormal Boys Using Visual Structured Categorization Tasks" ---International
Council, Tornonto, Canada, 1966
"Language Development Assessment of Pre-School Exceptional Children"
Regional States CEC Council, Wichita, Kansas 1965
"The Significance of the Retarded Child"s Experiential
Framework to His Conceptualization Ability" Oklahoma Education Association State Meeting, in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
1964
"A Work-Study Program for Educable Mentally Handicapped" Presented for University of Texas Vocational
Rehabilitation, at Tulsa, Oklahoma, 1967.
"Teaching the Emotionally Disturbed Child" CEC International
Regional, Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada. 1967
"Learning Disabilities an Overview" National Conference,
Ft. Worth, Texas, 1970
"Sensitivity Training - Special Education Teachers" University of Nevada, Reno,
Nevada, l971.
"Learning Disabilities and Indian Children" University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, 1972
"Introduction to Learning Disabilites" Kansas Academy of Practicing Physicians, Kansas State Unversity,
Manhattan, Kansas. 1971
"Sex and Family Planning for Mentally Retarded" National Association,
Dallas, Texas, 1974
"Ecology of Runaways" - Western Conference on Parent Training, Las Vegas, Nevada,
1981
"Testing Exceptional Children" Learning Disabilities Conference, 1980, and 1981, Okla. City
"Hypnosis-Stress Relief" International CEC, Detroit, Michigan, 1983
"Hypnosis" OKlahoma CEC,
Oklahoma City, 1984
"Hypnosis" Oklahoma Hearing Aid Association, Oklahoma City, 1984
"Tourettes" Presented to The Tourettes Syndrome Association at the Medical College, London,
University, England, 1984.
"Testing L.D. Children" Oklahoma Learning Disabilities Association,
Oklahoma City, 1984.
'Hypnosis-Stress Relief" - Canadian Valley Vo-Tech, El Reno, Oklahoma, 1985.
Presented over 50 different Psychological Topics on the CBS Affiliate KWTV-9, News Program, Bi-weekly, Oklahoma
City, 1983-86.
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SHARE, EXCHANGE WORLD WAR TWO HISTORY, PHOTOS, PERSONAL STORIES
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Dr. Van has exchanged and shared many items relative to World War II, and hope that this site will enable more contacts.
Over the past few years a large number of people interested in World War II have written, phoned, and offered their help.
A good example is Steve Miller the son of big band leader Glenn Miller mailed this author 18 photos of his father in concert
settings in England during the war. The following letter is retyped from one this author received from Bob Hope.
He called our home number in Edmond and asked if he could use my research material for a USO TV show they were planning, which,
of course, permission was given. He also mailed two signed photos. The letter was in caps.
BOB
HOPE
DEAR JACK AND BILL, (Jack is the publisher, Bill is Dr. Van the author)
MY PERSONAL THANKS
FOR YOUR HELP WITH OUR WWII PROJECT. YOUR LIST OF 'NOTABLES' THAT SERVED IN THE MILITARY WILL BE VERY IMPORTANT TO
US IN OUR RESEARCH AND I AM PARTICULARLY HAPPY TO HAVE IT.
I KNOW THIS LIST COMES FROM BILL'S
FORTHCOMING BOOK AND I'M GRATEFUL THAT YOU LET US HAVE THIS INFORMATION IN ADVANCE OF PUBLICATION.
SUSAN
TERRY, MY RESEARCHER, TELLS ME THAT BILL ASKED FOR AN AUTOGRAPHED PICTURE FROM ONE OF MY USO TOURS; SHE IS LOOKING FOR ONE
SHE CAN COPY AND SEND, BUT IN THE MEANTIME, I AM ENCLOSING A COUPLE OF PHOTOS FOR YOU BOTH I THOUGHT YOU MIGHT LIKE TO HAVE.
THANK YOU AGAIN FOR YOUR HELP AND MY VERY BEST WISHES FOR SUCCESS WITH BILL'S BOOK.
SIGNED
- BOB HOPE
Favorite reading: World War II magazine, Sport Aviation, Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association, Experimental Aircraft
Association, 8th Air Force Association, Navy League, and four different memberships in the Commenerative Air Force (CAF) all
Wings have monthly newsletters: The Gulf Coast Wing( Texas Raiders -B-17 Flying Fortress) Arizona Wing (Sentimental Journey
B-17) Oklahoma Wing (PT-19) and the B-24/B-29 Wing.
Any material relative to WW II is a good read. Favorite books: The Jimmy Doolittle story, KG-200, Steve Ambrose's
books.
Short Biography
Dr. Van Osdol is
the author of 2 WW II non-fiction books - "Famous Americans in WW II" and "Famous Faces of WW II"
and two novels set in WW II and Post WW II-"From Whence They Fell - A Paradox of Love and War" and a sequel "The
Ultimate Human Evil - ODESSA"- Organization der ehemallgen SS Angehorigen" (Organization of former Nazi SS Members)
---- He is a collector of WW II memorbilia including a 1942 US Navy Jeep and a 1945 Navy NC65 training plane, both
restored to drive and fly. Dr. Van has a collection of over 2000 Nose Art photos from WW II airplanes and over
2000 photos of movies about WW II. He is interested in contacting those who have similar interests of sharing WW
II stories. Dr. Van has researched WW II sites all over the world from the River Bridge Kwai in Thailand to Hitler's
Eagle Nest near Dachau. He visited the V-2 and V-3 sites in Belguim and France, Auschwictz concentration camp in Poland,
Normandy D-Day three times, and many other sites.
"I am a navy vet from 1945-47 and an active pilot with commercial flight instructor
ratings. Recently, Feb. March 2007 I was a PACE instructor on board the aircraft carrier USS Ronald Reagan. Flew on board
and landed on the carrier from Guam then on to Japan, Hong Kong, Korea and catupulted off the flight deck to Okinawa. I also
have flown many tours with the Texas Raiders B-17 Flying Fortress. One favorite tour was in 1997 from Houston to Canada
and on to Alaska to celebrate the 50th USAF Birthday. I am still an active pilot and fly my Cessna Cardinal and the
restored Aeronca Navy NC65. Please contact me at VANOKC@AOL.COM or phone 405-341-1053 home or airport office 405-282-3254
If you are interested in my books I will mail them to you and you can then pay upon receipt.
"From Whence They Fell" is 20 bucks in the bookstore, but I will mail one for 15 dollars. "Famous Faces
of WW II" is 21 dollars in the bookstore. I can mail one for 12 dollars.
My friends are varied by profession and age. I am a Professor Emeritus at the Unversity of Central Oklahoma, Edmond,
Oklahoma, and a Ph.D. Licensed psycholgist. I no longer practice psychology other than teaching for the Navy PACE
(Program at sea college education) program on board sea going navy ships. I have completed two different assignments on the
aircraft carriers USS Abraham Lincoln CVN-72 and one of the newest carriers, USS Ronald Reagan CVN-76. I have my office and
military collection in my airplane hangar on a private grass strip about 7 miles north of Edmond, Oklahoma. I spend time at
the airport nearly every day. phone 405-282-3254.
BOOK REVIEW
The Ultimate Human Evil - ODESSA The Ultimate Human Evil - ODESSA is a historical novel of a
man's bravery, endurance and love set in a world recovering from World War Two, and openly includes dealing with
his anger and suffering from the effects of Nazi inhumanities. Written by William R. Van Osdol, Ph.D., the story focuses
upon the Nazi-shielding ODESSA organization, the principle Nazi-hunting NET organization, and the fearless operatives
who work both intents. This reviewer was literally set down hard by Van Osdol's revelation of the historically
significant role of the Vatican Papal power that interacted with the Nazis. The ORGANIZATION OF FORMER NAZI
SS MEMBERS (ODESSA) was so named by the Nazis. The novel dutifully enlightens the reader of the limitless intent of the ODESSA
and the murderous Nazi SS who still eludes justice and the hangman. ODESSA operatives have worked successfully for two
generations to seduce and catalogue a numberless headcount of converts to their new iteration of mindless hate mongering.
Having this insight, Van Osdol opens his enlightened novel on the dastardly schemes of the Nazis who continue to revolt free
people the world-over. For even as one reads this volume, there is "goose-stepping" onto the world stage.
Zack Derream, a New York criminal attorney, former World War Two pilot and OSS Operative is a man of self-imposed recrimination
and misery. Living without the love of his wife and child, he accepts a call from Vienna to work for NET, Nazi
Escapee Trackers. The principle characters in this historical novel and love story include Evan Wilstein,
the Nazi hunter who advises and attempts to control Zack: Karl Zinger a former Maquis operativel, who betrayed Zack in World
War Two: Lea Keis a Dutch NET agent: Hilda Jerrick, an escaped female Nazi war criminal: and Daniela Hepner, daughter
of a Hitler saluting father, Reinhart Hackner. Though emotionally unprepared for her
lover's seductive ways, Daniela truly graces this story with her bravery and stoic acceptance of a tragic loss. From
Germany to Brazil she lived two tightly drawn but starkly diverse lives. Daniela received daily satisfaction by living
a partitioned life as a visible working citizen who is fanatically devoted, albeit silent, about her father's ODESSA connection.
She openly supported to her father, but she was a covert threat to former Nazis while remaining above suspicion
and detection by the ODESSA killers. The twice-bent Zack committed
himself to an end-of-the-world pursuit of former Nazis and one very specific Maquis double agent, Karl Zinger.
Paradoxically, though, this periodic mission dynast will frequently lose his focus and find a bedded-lady, all of which threaten
his incognito mission. So, in the ongoing chase for internationally
based ODESSA escaping Nazis, the question remains whether the double-minded Zack can succeed in bringing ODESSA agents or
even a single elusive Nazi killer to the gallows. Or will this careless NET agent who is committed to his
own gratification become too..." weary of running with the footmen." and unable to "contend with
the horses." CAPTAIN JACK
WINGATE, U.S. AIRBORNE RETIRED, MERESVILLE, MARYLAND.
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| Book is available - May, 2008 order through PublishAmerica.com or from the author - vanokc@aol.com |
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Want to get in touch? You can send me e-mail at:
vanokc@aol.com
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| Dr. VAN'S TRILOGY RESTORATION |
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| 1953 Marine Corps jeep - 1945 NC65 Navy Trainer Plane - 1943 Willys Navy Jeep |
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| Dr. Van and his Cessna Cardinal on his private airport |
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| ORDER THROUGH EXCALIBEREDITOR@EARTHLINK.NET OR FROM THE AUTHOR AT VANOKC@AOL.COM |
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| Order through PublishAmerica.com or the author at vanokc@aol.com |
BRIEF SYNOPSIS'
OF DR. VAN OSDOL'S CURRENT BOOKS
"FAMOUS
FACES OF WORLD WAR II" ( A Generation of Patriots is a pictorial history of presidents, politicians, military men and
women, astronauts, film stars, big band entertainers, and many notables who left indelible impressions during World War II.)
This book includes 190 photos and 190 different profiles. Book store price - $21.00, from the author $12.00.
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"FROM WHENCE THEY FELL" - A Paradox of Love and War - This novel, an epic nostalgia of
World War II, is a love/espionage story about Zack Derream, Harvard educated attorney and OSS officer, and Karlana Leyte,
Dutch Resistance, who met and fought the war and their own constraints of love and death in World War II German occupied Holland.
Zack, Karlana, and Karl, another Dutch Onderduiker agent, met Maquis agents in Calais, France. Zack was captured and tortured
and blamed Karl, a suspected Nazi double agent. Zack and Karlana struggled with fears of detection, rape, killing, and betrayal
only to discover that their post-war domestic adjustment and Zack's success as a trial lawyer were as difficult and tragic
as World War II. 1943-53 were years of war, love, court trials, domestic bliss, and Zack's rejection of Donna Longson,
daughter of his boss. 1954-56 - "A Paradox of Love and War"--were years of doubt, Zack's obsession with traitor
Karl, and a family tragedy, all of which overwhelmed the sentiments of love and compatibility and Zack's and Karlana's conflicted
emotional attempts to return "From Whence They Fell."
Book store price is $20.00 - from the author
for $15.00
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"P-T-K - PARENTS, TEACHERS, KIDS" is a adult/child guidance book that offers 45
common sense helpful topics directed toward the concepts of: Parents are concerned - Teachers are conflicted- Kids are
confused. This book is an edited version of a book that Dr. Van Osdol used for a University Class (Emotionally Disturbed Children).
It is an accumulation of information collected from his years as a psychologist at an Adolescent Psychiatric Hospital
and from his years as a college professor of Psychology and Special Education. This revision is adapted for the lay public
- mothers, fathers, teachers, children and is designed to give a common sense approach to dealing with adult/child relations.
Book store price $18.00 - From the author - $15.00
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"THE ULTIMATE HUMAN EVIL- ODESSA" - (Organizaation der ehemaligen SS Angehorigen
- Organization of Former Nazi SS Members) This novel is a sequel to "From Whence They Fell." It delivers
the reader into the mysterious folds of ODESSA, Die Spinne, and the Vatican Ratline for escaping Nazi War Criminals.
In 1957 after his family tragedy, Zack leaves his law practice in New York City and travels to Vienna, Austria, as an agent
for NET, Nazi Escapee Tracker. He was informed that his previous World War II antagonist, Karl, is involved in the ODESSA
movement. Consequently, Zack is determined to recover from the betrayal placed upon him by Karl in 1944 in Calais and 1945
in Amsterdam. Book released on 15 May, 2008, $20.00 bookstore - $15 from the author
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"FAMOUS AMERICANS OF WW II" is out of print, but copies can still be found by searching with your computer.
It is a coffee table book with large photos and profiles of approximately 200 individuals. You will have to bargain
for a price.
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READERS' REVIEWS OF "FROM WHENCE
THEY FELL"
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I had the good fortune of co-authoring 6 books with Dr. Van Osdol while I was a professor
at the University of Central Oklahoma. He is very adept at writing and also has excellent research skills. "From
Whence They Fell," is a novel of the tragedy of war and how it brings together two young people who fall in love. He
has given very good historical clips of World War II which required a great deal of research and has woven that time period
into the lives of the two young people who fall in love and experience the compassion, anxieties, challenges and tragedies
that can happen during times of war. The characters in "From Whence They Fell" are well developed and very believable
human beings who experience true love, make human mistakes and lose their self confidence. Then they regain confidence and
have one last chance to renew their love for each other. It is a well written novel and a real experience to read.
Reviewed by Don G. Shane, Ph.D. Henderson County Library, Hendersonville, North Carolina.
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Van Osdol is a master of time and place. Spanning thirteen years from World War II in the Netherlands
to the United States and back, this spy/romantic suspense novel engages all of the reader's senses. The Story of Zack and
Karlana is one of intrigue and tragedy and, as the title forshadows, the loss of paradise. Reviewed
by Linda Burkett O'Hern, attornery, writer and president of the Central Oklahoma Roundtable of Authors. Review was listed
in the book section of the Sunday Oklahoman.
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I am a retired Delta Airlines Captain with a great interest in all things WW II. My
older brother was on the initial Omaha Beach assault and that has made me a fan of WW II books. Having read many books both
fiction and nonfiction on WW II, I find "From Whence They Fell" to be a book that is not only exciting but very
factual on details of WW II. The author has integrated adventure, intrigue, and a very compelling love story into what I consider
one of the best fiction works I've read. I would recommend this novel to anyone who has an interest in a good story about
WW II and Post-war life. Reviewed by Captain Jack Adney. retired Delta Airlines Pilot, Port Townsend,
Wasington.
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-SPY-THRILLER IS ROMANTIC FAST PACED-
Book
section review in the Sunday Oklahoman
By Reba Neighbors Collins
Author William R. Van Osdol has written a fast-action,
romantic, spy-thriller that takes readers to World War II when Zack Derream grew up and joined the fray. In "FROM
WHENCE THEY FELL: A Paradox of Love and War" (Publish America) you will relive the nostalgia, dance to the
happy strains of Glenn Miller's "Moonlight Serenade" and through the eyes of Captain Derream, feel the hardships
of military life while the world is aflame.
Derream, a Harvard educated attorney, is picked
for Special Services and espionage duty in the underworld of Middle Europe. In German-occupied Holland, he meets the charming Karlana
who has had to fight against detection. rape, killing, and betrayal. In a Dutch barn loft, Zack and Karlana
wait for their underground contact. She tells him about her struggles to hold the Nazi soldiers at bay when she worked
as a hotel maid in Amsterdam. At Karlana's urging, he reveals his lifestyle on a farm in America in the 1930's.
He tells about President Roosevelt ordering farmers to kill little pigs and calves in an effort to drive up prices. He tells
her about college and his flight training at Randolph Field in Texas. And, they fall in love. This tale does not end when
the war does. It shifts gears and turns the corner and continues. Zack joins a prestigious law firm in New York
City; Karlana has a baby and becomes a model. Enter the boss's daughter---sensuous Donna, who sets her cap for
Zack and won't take "NO" for an answer. Now a different kind of war tears them apart. Karlana packs and heads back
home to Amsterdam.
It is a great read by Van Osdol, a psychologist and retired University of Central
Oklahoma professor. He's the author of 10 professional books. This first novel will have readers wanting more.
-----Reba Neighbors Collins
By Reba Neighers
Collins
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REVIEW OF "FROM WHENCE THEY FELL"
By Henk Reis,
Oss, Netherlands
I am Henk Reis. I live in Oss, Netherlands. My half-brother in Varkaus, Finland,
gave me your e-mail. My job takes me all over Europe, and I spend a lot of time in hotels. I have had the chance to carefully
read your books, "Famous Faces in World War II" and the novel, "From Whence They Fell." I must
say, Dr. Van Osdol, you are a very good writer. It seems that you took a lot of authentic moments (like Herkulesstraat.
etc.) and placed your characters as real life people. I was born after the war, but my father was conscripted labor by the
Nazis to a work camp. His sister, my aunt, who was too young to be a resistance fighter, did become one of Holland's top high
fashion models. The same as Karlana did in the book. If my father were alive and read this book, he would cry. But all in
one word, a good written book, very interesting history, easy to read and for my wife a very emotional book. She really loved
it.
If the U.S. publishers shared information about "From Whence They Fell" with
bookstores and libraries in Holland, it should be a best seller.
I would really like to meet you someday,
so if you come back to Holland one day, we hopefully can meet and visit.
Henk Reis, Oss, Netherlands.
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