HOLIDAY SEASON

Christmas was about the second day we were at St. Jean but most of us were too sick to appreciate it. Feeling like we were it wasn't a very merry Christmas -- except we could always remember a few days back and then be thankful we were where we were. New Year came with its turkey dinner, and I was well enough by then to make up for all the eating I had lost. I remember saving a huge drumstick for my midnight snack after coming off guard at 12 o'clock.

It was here that we were all put in for Combat Infantryman badges and the extra ten dollars a month pay. Black, Crabtree, Craft and I made our Private First Class ratings and were very proud.

Mailed to Joe Milhoan, Harold Schreckengost, Ed DeFoe, Ed Fry, Loyd Black, Ray Crabtree, Ralph Wards. January 18, 1993
Page 23 MUD AND GUTS
From Joe Milhoan, Christmas 1992

....On December 16, 1944, we were at "Five Points" and took Hill 503 for Battalion CP. We captured 19 prisoners and had just turned them over to Battalion when they started shelling us and wounded the officer who joined the battalion with me. He was assigned to Co. D.

A fragment entered his back and kidney and he was ZI'd.*

All was not bad on Christmas '44. We ate out of plates, had a full dinner and even had snow ice cream. My only advice was, "Don't eat the yellow snow!" The town we were in isn't on the map anymore (St.Jean Rohrback). Remember the silo and your favorite Lt. Barber?

You are right...we have missed so much by not getting in touch since '45. I am so proud of all of you for you seem to be outstanding citizens and have all done fairly well financially. Some were not so fortunate.

*Sent home to U.S.A.!

Christmas 1992

I was somewhat startled to see the above notation "censured by" on a newly-arrived Christmas card. What's this? A letter from 1944-45 just now arriving postmarked "Somewhere in France" ? Then I saw the return address: North Little Rock, Arkansas! Maybe some old habits are hard to break...... AJC

Mailed to Joe Milhoan, Harold Schreckengost, Ed DeFoe, Ed Fry, Loyd Black, Ray Crabtree, Ralph Wards. January 18, 1993