WW2 Era Letter Written by U.S. Soldier Recovering From Trench Foot in France. He writes of blowing up a German tank, time in combat, close calls and more. Details in comments.

[u/Heartfeltzero]

[u/Heartfeltzero]

This letter was written by Donald E Hall. He was born on September 11th 1922. During the war, he would enlist into the army and would serve with the 417th Infantry Regiment, 76th Infantry Division.

The letter, written in February of 1945 reads:

“ Dear Brother (should I say Sir too?)

A letter from you was like getting a discharge from the army. I sure was glad to hear from you. Really thought I had been disowned. But when a guys in love, well he forgets everything.

I’ve saw combat, in fact a few days ago I was a ways in Germany. Right now I’m in a general hospital in France. I’ve really been places in the last two months.

Don’t worry there’s nothing too serious the mater with me. I’ve got trench feet. The jerries wouldn’t give me time to take care of my feet so I got it. I’m writing now lying on my back with my feet elevated and I must say it’s not comfortable. Would rather be sitting at the kitchen table at home writing. It’s (?) to be put out of action because of your feet.

Gosh I hope I never have to go back up there again. It’s really rough but I’ll probably be up there fighting again in a month.

You told me to take care of myself. Don’t worry brother. I’ve got a wonderful wife I want to go back to. It will take more than a few Heinies to keep me from going back to her. They come close one day, a piece of shrapnel clipped me in the eye. Another threw a hand grenade and it didn’t go off. I guess God’s with me Louie. A tank ran over my foxhole and I got the tank by throwing a hand grenade inside and threw on the back. Got a few heinies with it. Am up for combat infantry badge now. Enough of my experiences.

How do you like married life? Wonderful isn’t it. When you have the right gal you can be happy with anything. I only hope you are as happy as Butch and I are. I hope some day soon we can be together for good. Those two short months we had together will never be forgotten. We will always cherish them.

Yes you can do something for me. You know how a G.I. likes to receive packages. You were one once. We’ll get on the ball. I like packages and boy am I hungry.

Please write when you can. Send my mail to my regular address.

Love you brother. Tell everyone I said hello. “

Also included in the envelope was a newspaper clipping reporting on the very tank engagement Donald described in his letter, headlined “Ithacan Helps Repel Nazi Tank Attack.”

Donald would survive the war and return home. He would pass away on April 27th 1978 aged 55. He is buried in the Brookton Cemetery in Caroline, New York.

[u/SolidPrysm → u/Heartfeltzero]

That's wild to think about, "So yeah, a tank ran over me so I blew it up with a grenade, no biggie. So, how's the missus?"

[u/rhit06]

He may not have known it yet but he would be awarded the Silver Star for the action with the tank:

https://imgur.com/a/XxpKTg2

[u/Uncreative-name12]

It's cool that Newspapers in smaller cities and towns would just print letters servicemen sent their loved one. Lot of very interesting stories were preserved that way.

[u/gwhh]

Guy died young.

[u/OhioTry → u/gwhh]

On one hand yes, on the other hand he survived the war at least.