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A German man searches for the soldier who took care of him during WWII.  Alexander, an American soldier, with Siegfried  Siegfried Laier CASE DETAILS  Americans gave supplies to German civilians For decades, Siegfried Laier of Moerlenbach, Germany, has been searching for an American soldier. More than half a century ago—when Siegfried was just a boy—he formed a friendship with the young GI. It was March of 1945 … The final days of World War II. For Germany’s civilians, it was a time of uncertainty and despair. One of the innocent victims was young Siegfried Laier, whose neighborhood was destroyed by allied bombers. Siegfried’s mother fled with her three youngest children. The Laiers walked 125 miles to be with relatives in the village of Moerlenbach. It was a tough time for Siegfried and his family:
When American troops rolled into Moerlenbach, the German citizens were afraid that the conquering army was out for revenge. But instead, they found friendly soldiers who provided them with food and medical supplies. According to Siegfried, one of the GIs was a young man named Alexander:
 Alexander drove Siegfried in the jeep The “guardian angel” took it upon himself to track Siegfried down. Alexander took a genuine interest in the Laier family, and before long, the food shortages were a dim memory. Alexander made daily visits and over the next three months, virtually became a member of the Laier family. According to Siegfried, their friendship transcended race, nationality, and even language:
Often times, Alexander would invite Siegfried to tag along on routine patrols around town:
 Siegfried hasn’t seen Alexander since 1945 Inevitably, the time came to say goodbye and Siegfried was left heartbroken:
Today, Siegfried has only one memento of Alexander—a photograph taken in the spring of 1945. At the time, Alexander was about 20 years old. Siegfried does not know Alexander’s last name, but does recall that his unit marched into Moerlenbach, Germany, on March 27, 1945. Siegfried is hopeful that he and his guardian angel will one day be reunited. Watch this case now on Amazon Prime in season seven with Robert Stack and in season six with Dennis Farina. Also available on YouTube with Dennis Farina. Various seasons available now on Hulu. SUBMIT A TIP |
Tre
The soldier he was looking was my grandfather out of West Virginia. My grandfather used his middle name I’ll get pictures to prove.
Unsolved Mysteries
Hello Tre! Please send us a tip with this information.
Tre
What do you mean leave a tip? You can reach out to me on my email and my mom will have the pictures for you tstraughter02@gmail.com
Patrick
Did anything ever come of this comment??
anon
https://unsolved.com/tips/
You have to submit a tip, they’re not just gonna email you… You have to provide evidence since you’re making a claim on a mystery, not wait for them to message you first…
Dinah
Has anyone looked into a soldier whose LAST name is Alexander? Soldiers always refer to each other by last name. Seigy was just a kid maybe he was confused but this.
Lisa
Does anyone know if Sigfried is still alive today?
Tommy
Alexander S Anderson. A private, in his early 20s, a member of the 761st Battalion which entered Moerlenbach in 1945, is the man I believe Siegfreid’s been looking for. A FOIA request (which can be filed by anyone) could definitively prove this information as well as narrowing down if Alexander later married, had children, and where he lived. Be sure to refer to his Army serial number in the request.
https://aad.archives.gov/aad/record-detail.jsp?dt=893&mtch=2&cat=all&tf=F&sc=24994,24995,24996,24998,24997,24993,25004,24981,24983,24984&bc=,fd&txt_24995=Alexander+Anderson+&op_24995=0&nfo_24995=V,24,1900&cl_25004=PVT%40%2C%23PVT%2CPVT%23%2CPVT%2B%2CPFC%23%2C%23PFC&op_25004=null&nfo_25004=V,4,1900&txt_24983=20+21+22+23+24+25+26+27&op_24983=1&nfo_24983=V,2,1900&cl_24984=2%2CK&op_24984=null&nfo_24984=V,1,1900&rpp=10&pg=1&rid=4166932&rlst=4763115,4166932
Ellen
This website says that the Alexander you are referring to died in 1944. So I don’t think it could be him. https://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/people_details.php?PeopleID=22080
Ellen
Is Siegfried still alive?
Carolyn
**This reply is in response to Conrad’s post from July 21, 2020 part of which states “the only other likely possibility appears to be a Sergeant by the name of Alexander Bell. “Alexander” and his Army unit had marched into Moerlenbach on March 27th, 1945, where 4-year old Siegfried Laier and him first encountered one another. I came across an excerpt from a “Patton’s Panthers: The 761st Tank Battalion” that states that on March 30th, 1945, Sergeant Alexander Bell had successfully shot down a Luftwaffe plane over his command post in Langenselbold. Being that Moerlenbach and Langenselbold are only around 55 miles apart and that the timeline seems suitable, I am inclined to believe that Alexander Bell is the soldied in question.”
The original story states that after March 27, 1945 date that “Alexander made daily visits and over the next three months, virtually became a member of the Laier family.” So it could NOT have been Alexander Bell because he was still alive for 3 months after March 27, 1945.
Seab
To Carolyn from 1/7/22
Please read the post more closely. It says that Alexander Bell “successfully shot down a Luftwaffe plane over his command post in Langenselbold”. It does not say that he was shot down. Alexander Bell did the shooting, so clearly he was alive afterwards.
Tommy
Doing an enlistment archive search shows that Alexander Bell would have been 30 in 1945. Too old for him to be this Alexander. Check my other comment….
Jen
I’ve heard on an UM forum Sigfried passed away?
OGorman
I loved the story and am sad that they never found one another again.
Mrs Q
This story truly touched my heart and soul, it brought me to tears . I truly hope that they may be re-United or at least the families. This is truly a life lesson. I live my life helping others, I hope that more people share love and help each other, the world would be a much better place. I also think If we were to implement etiquette back into the schools as in the 60s, that within two generations our world would be a much better place.
Donnamarie Meehan
My father was in World war ll .. some of his stories were heart wrenching..I know a lot of things he saw scared him his soul for eternity…I hope Seigy finds Alexander..or even his kin..I’m sure even if he has gone home to God..his family would love to know what he did for that family so long ago….Im inclined to believe the idea that Alexander was his last name..whatever happened it seems to me that the German boy made it count…made it matter in the way he has lived his life…it was a gift well received…I will pray for a happy ending..please let us know…
Dianna
Made me tear up! I hope with technology the way it is now, that this case be solved!
Conrad
About two months ago, my father and I spent about 3 1/2hrs researching this topic one night and I concluded that Alexander Bell seems like a very viable identity for the man. Alexander Anderson had deceased sometime in 1944 and the only other likely possibility appears to be a Sergeant by the name of Alexander Bell. “Alexander” and his Army unit had marched into Moerlenbach on March 27th, 1945, where 4-year old Siegfried Laier and him first encountered one another. I came across an excerpt from a “Patton’s Panthers: The 761st Tank Battalion” that states that on March 30th, 1945, Sergeant Alexander Bell had successfully shot down a Luftwaffe plane over his command post in Langenselbold. Being that Moerlenbach and Langenselbold are only around 55 miles apart and that the timeline seems suitable, I am inclined to believe that Alexander Bell is the soldied in question. However, unfortunately I can’t seem to unravel anything more pertaining to his life, either pre or post-war—and since he shares a name with a key historical figure, it’s like finding a needle in a haystack to even find any connections. I hope this helps much, I would love for this to be solved.
Madeleine
Unsolved Mysteries: Did you see the October 2016 comment from James Smith? He seems to have solved the mystery. His father knew Alexander Whitfield.
Unsolved Mysteries Post author
Hi Madeleine – that information has been passed on to Siegfried, thank you.
Jordan
I hate to say it, but I think at this point Alexander has passed away by now.
Chrys
He may have children and grandchildren that would make them happy knowing how their father/ grandfather helped another human being. Hitler wouldn’t shake the hand of black Jesse Owens after winning the gold medal during the Olympics in Germany and yet this little boy learned that love comes in all colors.
J
Could it be possible that his last name was Alexander? It’s not uncommon for military people to refer to themselves and each other by last names, and chances are his last name was on his jacket, and even a German speaker would be able to read and recognize the name “Alexander”.
Manolo V
That’s a good point. I’ve long been discharged and I still refer to my Marine buds by their last names. They call me by my first, but I can’t break the habit.
Noble Crisp
I looked into Carla Haase’s tip about two Alexanders, and found a reference to an Alexander Anderson in a book entitled Patton’s Panthers: The African-American 761st Tank Battalion In World War II. I don’t quite know the historical accuracy of this book, and it is indeed written as a novel rather than a historical treatise; however it appears to be written by a fairly reputable journalist and war veteran, so I am leaning towards it being more accurate than not. This book features an excerpt where Anderson is described as having died. He is also described as being a driver, which would fit with the stories of Sebastian being brought along on I am attempting to look further into this and will update when I get further information. I hope to God that this is not the Alexander in question and that he did not in fact die, but I don’t know what to believe.
2cairnterriers
sebastian?!
Julia Hai
Has this case been solved . I just watched the story today. It’s very heart touching… I hope he’s found his little human guardian angel . Please have a happy ending ❤️
Yessenia Ortega
Where can I see the update on this story?
Unsolved Mysteries Post author
Hi Yessenia – this case is still unsolved so there is no update at this time.
Paul
Correct if I am wrong so Alexander was 20 at the time he would be 93 today if he was still living. Alexander I hope you are still around and hope they can get reunited
Janet
Has anyone looked into the above tip? The one from that Carla Haas? Her tip seemed legit. I would love to see a ending to this story. And I miss this show, if they would bring unsolved back it would make my year.
Lauren
You can watch all the original ro ert stack unsolved mysteries on pluto free tv through xfinity and another called xumo. There are several streaming services. Also pluto reruns the old rescue 911 episodes too! Its pretty cool.
Julie Turner
Any updates at all? Just seen this episode and would love to know.
Unsolved Mysteries Post author
Unfortunately no, we are not aware of any updates at this time.
Carla Haase
@Jen if you can check for Alexander Bell and Alexander Anderson. I found those names listed for the 761st tank battalion in a militay archive. Good luck, maybe there is just a mix up with the name.
Kelly Ryan
A true act of charity should remain anonymous. I thank god for people like him he didn’t let all the hate for black folks bring him down. We should all try and be like him
Donna
Watched the program today. My heart goes out to Siegfried.
I hope a family member will recognize and contact unsolved mysteries.
God bless you.
Donna
Anonymous
Unsolved mysteries, please tell me this man has found that amazing guardian angel. If not at lest a family member. I would love to see a happy endin to this story. It touched my heart.
unsolved
Hi Crystal – unfortunately this story is still unsolved.
Laura
me, too… just saw the episode today and was compelled to check online to see if it had been updated. so sad to see the response that it hadn’t. such a great humanitarian story. it touched my heart too, crystal…❤
Michele
Laura and Crystal this story was such a nice story I wish we could have gotten a final resolve to it. Our soldiers in all the wars so cared especially to the kids. God bless them and Alexander and all those children that suffer from the wars in their home lands! Wish they could have at least found a family member too for this man.
Anonymous
Unsolved Mysteries, @grrarrggh had a great idea. Have you been able to contact the National Archives to verify if Jamente is Alexander’s last name?
Viper85
I saw this story when I was about six or seven. Still haven’t solved this. Hmmmm.
Chanita
Oh My God That’s So Amazing Don’t Give Up Unsolved Mysteries All Of U Can Do It Have Faith In God And He Will Answer You’re Prayers God Bless You!
jerrold
It is very possible that the man described above was my father! His name was Alexander, and he fought around that time!!
Pmorris
Does the picture resemble you’re dad?
Blue bird
This Is So Analyzing I Wish Someone Would Care About Me That Much!
Blue bird
Do U Know What ? I Have A Freind His Name Is John Bolt And He Is A Sweet Young Man I Love Him As Much As I Love God whoever Is Looking At This Please Pray For Him Because He Needs All of The Help He Can Get! Love U JB! Take Of Your Self Love Blue Bird!
any updaes?
Any updates to this story?
Brother Malcolm
Hopefully this is solved after comment^^^
Above…as a vet, this made my day before going to my appointment @ the VA..
James Smith
Alexander Whitfield was his name. This was My Dad’s Friend back in the Army and they were assigned to handing out food to German Families after the fall of Nazi Germany. When you showed that picture on TV, that was Whitfield for sure. He stole Soup from the Army Mess Hall to take it to this family because he had taken a liking to little Zeigfreid’s Mother. He would find these house Frau and feed them up after knocking them up so they would think that they just got fat instead of knocked up. He died in 1991 of Cancer. But he was hosing your Mom, little Ziggy.
UnsolvedFan
bro didn’t have to be that blunt. Smh lol
Linda
If that’s true he’d have black siblings. It’s a shame that a deceased service man can’t get more respect.
Daniel December
Thats ashame to even play like that lol
Tiffany Boyd
I’m hoping Alexander’s family can get involved in this case, because this story is amazing. To this day Alexander is 91 years, if he’s not deceased I hope soon that this case can be solved and updated.
Matthew
William D Alexander
Joe Kulik
Although Alexander sounds like a “good man”, & although it’s quite understandable why Siegfried would want to see him again, I truly doubt that Alexander was acting solely from compassion for the German people. It seems likely to me that Alexander, as well as the other soldiers in Germany in 1945, were under orders, formal or informal, to befriend German citizens. What better way to placate a defeated country that your military is now occupying than by “bribing” them with “kindness”, which would include food. After fighting Germans for 4 years, I doubt that MOST American soldiers in Europe in 1945 had very much “love” for any German people. … joseph.kulik.919@gmail.com
jill barbour
I dont believe that. A large percentage of the American soldiers fighting in WW2 had personal relationships with Jesus Christ and obeyed His command to love your fellow man. The soldiers may have been ordered to act in certain ways, however i believe they followed their orders with goodwill in their hearts- a large percentage of them, while simutaniously going about what they were commanded to do.
2cairnterriers
oh good lord. you live in lala land.
Grimm
Clearly you have never spent time with any WWII vets that fought in Europe. Many of our vets befriended the ‘enemy’ for the simple fact they had no differences to exploit in to hatred they way they did with the Japanese in WWII and later the Vietcong. My father in law is Asian and fought for the US during the war in the Pacific. Even his own brothers in arms hated him for the simple fact he was different looking- too much like the enemy.
Also a large part of the German forces were born and raised US boys. They went to Germany at the behest of their immigrant parents to fight for the ‘Fatherland’ before 1941and the US got involved in the war. Not uncommon at all.
Many of our G.I.s in Europe brought home wives from the war. Both of my uncles fought in Europe during WWII and came home with German wives at the end of the war. Both later divorced their brides after trying to make their marriages work. One remarried a German born woman who came to the states in the 50s on her own. If my father hadn’t already been married and stationed in Hawaii during the war I’m sure he also would have brought home a bride from Europe.
Gail
My advice to you is to seek out information from a records keeper.. likely Mr. Alexander was part of the Buffalo Soldiers at that time as seen on his jacket in the video he must have been trained in Kansas at the training fort for these brave men. If you can find the records of the Buffalo Soldiers from Kansas you are likely to find Mr. Alexander. Happy hunting I hope you find him. Angels come in all shapes and forms. Best wishes. Ciao
Lyn Chastain
http://www.blackpast.org/aah/92nd-infantry-division-1917-1919-1942-1945-0
Jen
I looked on the National Archives site and there’s no info on Alexander Jamente. If any one can suggest another name or any more details, I’m happy to research it. Although, I am guessing Mr. Laier may be deceased and likely the unknown Alexander as well.
Amanda
David Ramsey is the actor portraying Alexander is the re-enactment, that footage is not the real Alexander.
Tawnya Goss
you need to look into David Ramsey’s past family no two people look that much a like I’m going by the pic that siegfried’s has of the man. It is worth looking into. It can’t hurt to try.
Tawnya Goss
I believe no two people can look so much alike without being related some how. I was watching your show. There is a actor named David Ramsey he plays on the arrow. I know this is not Alex but he has to be related some how they almost look like brothers or father and son, or grandfather. If I were you I would look into it.
grrarrggh
Have you considered searching National Archive records? You could find the company by the dates and location. See if there’s an Alexander on the list or if anyone involved remembers a man like the one in this story.
paulynn
I hope they do find each other.
Mat
The Unsolved Mysteries Wikipedia page claims this story was solved. Why does it say that? Do we have any more info?
http://unsolvedmysteries.wikia.com/wiki/Alexander
unsolved
Hi Mat – we are not connected to that wiki site, so we are unsure of what information they are referring to. We have not received any information that this case has been solved.
GT
So I looked up Siegfried’s Laier phone number on a German website since u posted u lost contact and it came up with a incomplete address of 69509 morlenbach and a phone number of 0049 620 93057 don’t forget to use country code 49 after 011 to dial out. Hope it works since it looks like u have a full name for Alexander.
Me
Any updates?
unsolved
This case is still unsolved.
Michele Davis
I’m so grateful that Alexander found this man when he was a small boy and showed him a better way…he very well may have saved him and his family from starvation of the body by providing food for his belly and soul. It filled his heart and it refilled mine. I can only believe that everyone touched by Alexander was enriched by his loving nature and huge heart and…this is one instance among many where Americans helped people overseas recover from war…my father fought in WWII too and his stories, while not as involved, established that American servicemen shared meager rations, and chocolate and love freely to people…I’m sure that other allied soldiers did the same. Thank you for this story and Peace to You in all you do…
Chrys
Sophia Lorens bio book says that American soldiers first passed out chocolate to alot of Italians . It was the first time she tried it. But in her bio film it shows an American GI handing her a chocolate candy bar personally.
Me
I’ve just been touched with this story. I feel like I wished I can help.
Anynomos
I know his last name he was in my great grandfathers unit they were best friends his true name is Alexander jamente he has no record of birth
unsolved
Thank you for your tip. Unfortunately we have been unable to locate Siegfried at this time to pass along the information.
jeff
Is he still alive?
daggeroftheoss
Hey Jamente is usually a first name. Are you sure his name wasn’t Jamente Alexander?
Someone should be able to look up that name through national archives and narrow it down to one of Patton’s 3rd Army divisions. The 761st was an all black famous tank battalion who would have been near that area towards the end of the war.
tc
Would of been helpful to say what your GG’s unit was if you can find out specifically?
I think there’s been confusion with his name too. I suspect his last name was probably Alexander. It’s more military and formal to address someone that way. Like Corporal Smith etc rather than something like Larry lol Jamente is a first name doing a quick Google search.
Either way it was a big war and there were thousands of soldiers in that area coming and going at the end. One indisputable fact is that he was black, so that limits the job he had in whatever mystery unit he was in. Black soldiers not in a designated all black unit like the 761st tank battalion would have been in administrative/support roles. Another fact is that he had to be part of Patton’s 3rd Army as they were the occupying force in that area late March 1945. If he was in Morlenbach for three months he was likely just waiting for orders to go home when the war ended. If he had arrived late in the war he would have to wait due to low points. For instance black soldiers in the 761st tank battalion arrived in Europe several months after D-Day so they had to wait for soldiers with more time accrued to get shipped home.
He drove a jeep in the story so perhaps a courier or supply clerk? He could have even been an officer in one of the all black units like the 761st too. Someone with experience in researching military archives should be able to solve this. 🙂
Julsine
In South Louisiana The last name Jeaminette is fairly common. Have you checked US Censuses from 1930 and 40?
Kyleigh
The story was great. I loved it.
Awesome. 🙂
Hi
Hope they find him but if hes still alive, he will be at a very old age.
beautiful
This story is beautiful!
:’)
Sending love Alexander wherever he is.
morning treat
This was a nice way to start my day ,,,people can be all we should be sometimes
All at local churches
Woww! We wish you are in Christ alone. I’m bro. In The Lord Tom Chou want reunite with our sister in The Lord Tang Zhen Qian in Christ alone.
Anonymous
I loved it