Profiling an ‘American Hero’

World War II concentration camps. It’s a period time in history that most of us today can barely imagine, and probably wouldn’t want to due to the truth of its sheer disturbing brutality.

One longtime Camas resident, however, has carried those memories with him throughout his 89 years of life. George Willis was part of the Army’s Rainbow Division in the 42nd Infantry Brigade. He battled Nazi soldiers and was among those from the United States military that helped liberate the Dachau concentration camp in Germany. He stayed at the camp for six months to treat sick prisoners and feed them, as well as implement health and sanitation measures.