In tribute to my father, Lawrence James Wildes, Sr., I compiled his writings and included pictures from different phases of his life. This book mainly concerns his upbringing in Southeast Georgia, his participation on the U.S. Navy search team for Amelia Earhart and his World War II experiences as a 2nd Armored Division sergeant with U.S. Army General George Patton. Passing away in 1999, Daddy would have turned 100 in 2017.