During World War II, a total of 165 men from Minnesota’s smallest towns gave their lives for our country. Several were awarded the Distinguished Service Cross, Distinguished Flying Cross, Silver Star, and Bronze Star. All received the award no one wanted: the Purple Heart. Most of their stories have never been told publicly.

“Little Minnesota in World War II,” by Jill A. Johnson and Deane L. Johnson, honors these men from the smallest rural towns. From John Emery (who died Dec. 7, 1941, on board the USS Arizona) to Herman Thelander (who was lost in the Bermuda Triangle, a mystery unsolved to this day), the book allows the reader to experience the war through personal accounts of the men and their families.

This program is funded by Minnesota’s Arts and Cultural Heritage Fund and is free and open to the public.

The tour includes the Wabasso Public Library at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2; Marshall-Lyon County Library at 6:30 p.m. Tuesday, April 2; Tyler Public Library; Westbrook Public Library, 6:30 p.m., Thursday, April 4; Ivanhoe Public Library, 10 a.m. Friday, April 5; Tracy Public Library, 3 p.m., Saturday, April 6; Murray County 4-H Building, Slayton, 2 p.m. Tuesday, April 30.