Anthony Louis (Tony) Mauser was born on March 13, 1925 in Haughville, Indianapolis to the family of Alojzij Mauser and Ana Brudar.

Tony attended the Holy Trinity Grade School in Indianapolis.

Tony’s first communion took place on Easter Sunday, April 16, 1933. His confirmation was on Sunday, February 18, 1934 at the Holy Trinity Church. Confirmation name: Peter. Tony was eight years old. His sponsor was Joseph Saligoe.

Tony recalled, in the spring of 2005, how his parents and their friends used to have picnics away from the city practically every weekend. After an exhausting week at the Federal Foundry (South from Washington Street), where Tony’s dad made molds, they would head with children to Brown County, Indiana on Fridays and would return on Sundays. They drank wine and schnapps, played an accordion and sang Slovenian songs. They never forgot to grab alcohol for the picnics. There were many bootleggers in Haughville so alcohol was abundant.

He worked since he was a kid. When he was 5-6 years old, he picked up vegetables in the fields for pennies.

When Tony was 10 or 11 yeas old he nearly drowned in White River. He was saved by Alphones (Fonzy) Stanič (also Stanich). Tony’s dad, Louis, was very strict. When he told you to do something, you did it. The day Tony nearly drowned his dad told him not to leave home. Of course, Tony did not listen and went swimming in White River with his friends. Tony nearly drowned in front of many people.

He tried to keep it a secret, for fear that his dad would punish him severely. He was able to keep it a secret for almost two months until someone at a family gathering forgot about the secret and said something about it in front of Louis. When his father found out about it, Tony wished he would have drowned in the river. His father had large and strong, knock-out-producing hands, fortified in the foundry. Tony said his hands were like iron. Tony said that Louis was a good father.

Interesting fact: Alphones (Fonzy) Stanič, who saved Tony Mauser, is the father of Mary Stanich. Mary Stanich married Joe Mauser on July 6, 1974. Joe’s father, Alphonse (Fonzy) Mauser, is Tony Mauser’s cousin. Fonzy Mauser and Fonzy Stanič were the only Fonzies in Haughville.

When Tony was about 12 the family moved to Morgantown, Indiana and lived on a farm. In March of 1939, when his dad became ill, the family moved back to the same house at 957 Haugh Street, Indianapolis - right across from Martin Mauser’s house at 960 Haugh Street.

Tony said that they used to call his uncle Martin Mauser - Temi and his wife Josephine Mauser - Botra (godmother in Slovenian).

When Tony's dad died on August 21, 1939, Tony went to Tech High School, on the east side of Indianapolis. Tony went to work when he was 13-14 years old. While in high school, he had three jobs. He worked for Barbasol (shaving cream) in 1941-42. He quit that job and in 1943 worked as a butcher for the Kingan Company - a large pork packing firm in Indianapolis. The money he earned there was not even enough for his bus fares so he rode a bike across the town when the weather allowed. Tony’s mother worked at Kingan’s too. At various times Tony also worked as a caddy on different golf courses. He worked hard to take care of his mom and sister after their father’s death.

Tony graduated from high school in June of 1943. Approximately two weeks after his graduation he was drafted in the army to serve in WWII. In fact, Tony was still in high school when he was ordered to go to WWII.

During WWII Tony Mauser served as a litter bearer in the 310th Medical Battalion of the 85th Custer Division Infantry Division, Fifth Army. The division was named after George Armstrong Custer, a native of Michigan where the division was activated in 1917 for service during World War I.

In December 1943 the 85th Custer Division was shipped overseas. Tony landed in Casablanca, Morocco on January 2, 1944 and moved to Camp Don B. Passage until January 4, when they were taken by rail to St. Denis du Sig. The 85th Infantry Division was the second all-draftee infantry division to see combat in World War II.

In March 1944, the division's forward elements arrived in Italy and went into the line near Minturno. The division was officially in action as a complete unit on April 14, 1944. From that point on, the 85th Infantry Division was one of Fifth Army's premier fighting divisions and contributed directly to the capture of Rome (entering the ancient Gates of Rome), the destruction of the German "Gothic Line" in the North Apennines, and the closure of the Brenner Pass in the Italian Alps. At the close of hostilities, the Custer Division performed redeployment duties in Italy until ordered to return to the United States where it was deactivated on August 26, 1945.

Tony Mauser served as a litter bearer. Litter is a stretcher for carrying sick, wounded or dead persons. Litter bearer is a person who helps carry a stretcher, usually aid men who carry wounded back to Battalion Aid Stations for emergency treatment. Litter bearers were frequently under fire and exposed to booby traps and the hazards of steep mountain trails in darkness. The toll of killed and wounded among them was high.

Tony’s job was to bring wounded American soldiers to the hospital. He said that the first days the Red Cross symbol on their helmets and sleeves served as good targets for German snipers. During the war Tony stuffed his front shirt pockets with four packs of cigarettes and a prayer book in order to protect him from bullets.

Tony participated in the liberation of Rome. In order to take Rome they had to cross the Alps through dangerous passes (high above sea level), similar to Hannibal’s march across the Alps in 218 BC. Tony’s hands were frozen during this march. Eventually they marched victoriously through the Gates of Rome.

Tony’s best buddy during the war was his friend Marvin Vander Noot, a native of Indianapolis. Both friends survived the war and safely returned home. They preserved their strong friendship for life. Both are decorated WWII veterans.

At the end of the war Tony was in Italy, very close to Slovenia. He wanted to visit his Slovenian relatives (aunts), but was denied the permission to go to Slovenia by his officers.

In 1944 Tony went to Naples, Italy. The war for him was over in May, 1945. The most amazing thing happened at the end of the war for Tony. Tony Mauser met his cousin Alphonse Mauser in Naples, Italy before returning home. After the soldiers lined up, their officer was calling on everyone by their full name. At one point the officer shouted (to be heard): "Alphonse Mauser". Alphonse Mauser replied to acknowledge his presence. Anthony Mauser who was close enough to the man who just replied began looking for him. Soon after that the officer shouted: "Anthony Mauser". The rest is history. The two cousins heard each others names and rushed to one another. Tony exclaimed "Fonzy". Fonzy yelled "Tony". That had to be quite a reunion. One can only imagine the emotions they experienced.

Fonzy Mauser served in the 34th Infantry "Red Bull" Division. They picked up wounded on the front line.

Tony left Naples, Italy in the middle of December, 1945 and came home on an aircraft carrier. The Captain told them that he would sail as fast as possible to make it to the U.S. in a record time to deliver soldiers home in time for Christmas. Around Gibraltar their vessel caught a serious storm so the trip home was delayed and extremely rough. They returned home on December 30, 1945.

On May 3, 1947 in Indianapolis Tony married Ooana (Oo Wah Nah Chasing Bear), a Kiowa Apache Native American. Ooana was born on January 19, 1921 in Wyoming.

In the 1950’s Tony, Oo Wah Nah and kids would go to Brown County to visit their friends - three families: Konecnik, Zupancic and Certolic. Tony’s mom, Ana (also Anna and Any) Brudar (also Bruder), liked to hunt there with her dog Buster.

Ana was the first one in Haughville to have a television set. People used to come to her house and watched TV in the window.

With the help of some people Tony built a house for his mom in Bainbridge, Indiana. After Ana’s death on May 20, 1977 Tony and Oo Wah Nah moved to her house in 1977. Tony sold the house in Haughville at 957 Haugh Street, Indianapolis and moved to Bainbridge in October of 1977 where they were still residing in 2005 at 3096 E County Road 800 N, Bainbridge, Indiana 46105.

Oo Wah Nah was born in Wyoming. She was raised by her grandmother. When she was approximately seven years old, she was taken away from her grandmother by "Anglo people" and sent to Maryland (near Washington D.C.) to be a playmate for a well-to-do white family’s child.

In captivity Oo Wah Nah was forced to become a Christian and was frequently punished by her masters for such things as speaking or singing in her native language or wearing native clothes. They used to scrub her with a steel brush. That experience has left scars on her skin and sole until this day.

When Oo Wah Nah was 11-12 years old she made up her mind to escape and return home. She found a chance and just took off. It took her several years to get home across the United States, where she reunited with her grandmother and uncle. Her grandma always knew that Oo Wah Nah would return. On her way home she met Native people who provided her with shelter.

Oo Wah Nah taught herself to write, read and speak English. As a young lady Oo Wah Nah loved reading Edgar Alan Poe. When she was homeless she stayed on this writer’s grave all night in Baltimore, MD. She was homeless and afraid of being kidnapped. Oo Wah Nah believes she was born on the same day as Edgar Alan Poe, January 19.

In 2005 at the age of 80 Tony can hardly hear. His hearing problem is attributed to: old age, loud explosions during WWII and working with grain as a young man. One time a bean was removed from his ear where it was sprouting.

Oo Wah Nah’s relatives were in the movie "Dances With Wolves". She is a good dancer and painter.

Children of Anthony and Oo Wah Nah Mauser:

1. Anna Maria Mauser (February 17, 1948 - October 29, 1965)
2. Eric Christopher Mauser (May 7, 1953)

Anna Maria was a nice and attractive young lady. She died on October 29, 1965 at the age of 17 from aplastic anemia at Indiana University Hospital. Anna was buried on November 2, 1965 at St. Joseph’s Cemetery in Indianapolis. Fr. Edward Bockhold.

Eric Mauser’s first communion at Holy Trinity Church was on April 24, 1960. At that time they lived at 957 Haugh Street. Confirmation was on May 5, 1960. Eric’s confirmation name was Anthony. His sponsor: Peter Barbarich (Barbarič).

Eric C. Mauser married Rebecca Zimmer (born July 26, 1952) and they have two children:

1. Nicole Mauser (July 21, 1983)
2. Eric Joseph Mauser (December 19, 1987)

Nicole has studied art in Provence, France and is a college student in Florida.

Click here to see images of Anthony Mauser and Oo Wah Nah.