Every now and then we stumble upon a story that strikes the core of our humanity. Such is the story of Jack Leroy Tueller and His Ever Faithful Trumpet. The story of Jack Tueller (pictured above) has managed to touch the heart of everyone who’s listened to him recall his childhood days, or when he was attending the Brigham Young University, or his stint as a pilot during World War II. His accounts are very emotional and his beloved trumpet serves as the common denominator to his story.

Jack Tueller faced a tough battle when he was just a child. He lost his mother at a young age, and his father abandoned the family shortly after his mother’s passing.  The sound of the trumpet served as a form of relief, helping him through tough times.  He played the trumpet during his high school years, which gained him a scholarship at the Brigham Young University. While studying at the University, he met a beautiful young woman named Marjorie, who was a trumpet scholar just like him. Marjorie eventually became his wife and they soon had a daughter.

Unfortunately, WWII forced Jack to leave his wife and 6-month old baby.  He went to Europe where he flew over 144 missions without receiving a single hit. He always had his trumpet with him. His fellow soldiers loved to listen to the sound of the instrument. The music rejuvenated their failing spirits.

During the war, Jack carried a canvas bag with him, trumpet tucked neatly inside. He attached this to his airplane seat. He thought that if he was ever unlucky, and his plane was shot down by the enemy, he would play the trumpet in the prisoners-of-war camp. Perhaps his trumpet playing could garner additional amenities from the guards, due to fondness for the sound of his horn. Whenever Jack faced a frightening phase of his life, his trumpet came to rescue, helping him get through the tough times.

Jack Tueller firmly believed that music saved his life. During a combat mission at Omaha Beach, Jack was aware that an enemy sniper might well be watching him. Nonetheless, he decided to play his trumpet despite the risk. He thought that the enemy was also scared, just like him. Everyone appreciates hearing a love song. Even in battle. So Jack played “Lili Marlene,” a German love song.

Well, the enemy never fired. When the sniper was captured the next morning, he wanted to know who played such beautiful trumpet music through the night. The commander fetched Jack and took him to captured sniper. What happened next was far from the idea of war. The sniper, who apparently had been listening to the sound of Jack’s trumpet all night, burst into tears and told him that the song reminded him of his loved ones. He just couldn’t shoot Jack; even though that was his assignment. Jack shook the sniper’s hand, realizing he was a scared kid, the same as him––just trying to follow the orders of a superior.