‘From our soldier boys’
These excerpts from soldiers’ letters (and a Navy press release) that were published in the Ozark County Times in decades past, often under the heading, “From our soldier boys,” remind us of the dedication and heroism of Ozark County’s military men and woman in uniform during wartime.
We are coming home with Old Glory in the air. We have gone through with many hard trials and many of us have fallen on the field, but victory is ours at last. …The boys are all anxious to come home now. The only place we care to see is America.
Cpl. Thomas F. Herd
Base Hospital SS, France
Published Dec. 27, 1918
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I will sure be glad to see Mademoiselle Liberty, for I can look her square in the eye and say, “I did my bit for you old girl, so keep the light burning.”
Herbert A. Grisham
Base Hospital 51, France
Published Dec. 27, 1918
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Many times, Mother, when I was in the trenches or in No Man’s Land I’ve read your sweet letters over and over, and I believe your prayers saved me for there were times when comrades fell all around me and I was only slightly wounded in the right arm and leg. But I was glad to get out alive. … I’m sure there have been many changes at home during the five years I’ve been away. … Write me a long letter soon and tell me everything.
A. W. Mefford, Pelm, Germany
Co. D 358th Inf.
Published Feb. 7, 1919
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Had you been at the front on the morning of Nov. 11th at 10:50, you wouldn’t have thought the armistice would ever be signed. Every piece of American artillery was firing as though hostilities would never cease. It seemed like they were preparing a barrage for the doughboys to go over the top, when, in the twinkling of an eye, all ceased. Then came the yells of the Fritz doughboys, and the yells passed to the American infantry and on down the way. It was like being to a 4th of July celebration back in the Ozarks. Such a change from the mournful howl of the artillery bombardment to the joyful shouts of the soldier boys.”
Cpl. Oliver D. Barner, Spong, Germany
Btry C, 342nd F.A.
Published Feb. 7, 1919
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We ran the gauntlet right through the middle of the Jap-held Philippine Islands into the China Sea. The Japs knew we were there, all right, but we were too strong for them. … It was just before we reached Lingayen Gulf, however, that we had our most narrow escape. A Jap bomber “peeled off” at 7,000 feet and started for us. … You can imagine how rapidly it grew in size as it approached us. Our guns were blazing away and the lead was pouring into him. He … crashed into the water just astern of us and exploded.
Doyn Upton, Seaman 1st Class
Describing the invasion of Luzon
Published Feb. 22, 1945
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Seaman 2nd class W. P. Crisp, whose wife lives at Gainesville, is fighting aboard a veteran battleship which pounded 1,500-pound shells onto Okinawa for six days to clear the way for troops taking part in the greatest amphibious landing of the Pacific war. … The men were up at 2:30 a.m. and at their battle stations soon afterward, undaunted by three Jap suicide planes which made futile runs against the ship.
Navy press release
May 24, 1945