My grandfather was from Nebraska. He said many airmen spoke multiple languages. Mine was fluent in German but as someone said prior to this there were dialects not just to SS but to areas. So you had to know where you would say you were from by how you spoke the language. He also knew some Italian but was told to never use it and I don't remember why exactly, but they did like the fact he knew it. He always said he thought he was picked for his size and skill, not everyone could fit in the places he could, but his education which was worlds better then than now got him through doors others could not go.
Second Hardest Workin Man on Texags