Issue 15.12
I think this incident happened about November 1944 when 1picked up a copy of the
European Theatre, American serviceman’s weekly newspaper, “The Stars and Stripes” and read the following described article. The reporter interviewed an American ground forces general. (I wish 1could remember which general) but never the less 1can never forget the article and the resulting barrage of letters, which were about 95% in opposition to the general.
Among the things the general said was “I look upon a soldier in my army who doesn’t drink as one whom I can not trust in combat”. He added, “If I were a squad leader, I wouldn’t want a non-drinker to be a member of my squad and be forced to depend on him for my life”.
I could hardly believe my eyes and neither could a very large number of American service people.
The next week’s printed letters were caustic and angry and chastised the general for his remarks. The following week’s letters were more of the same with many testimonials to show the general that he was wrong. The next week had some added letters but the last letter of all read something like this:
“I am dictating this letter from The American hospital at Cambridge in England with the help of a kind nurse because I no longer have an arm with which to write”. I was an infantryman and part of a squad in one of your divisions advancing through France when I was hit by an enemy mortar during heavy fighting. I am now awaiting evacuation to the Z. I. (America) and have been awarded the D. S. C. Since I learned that I do not deserve this decoration, please advise me where I may return this.”
After this letter what more could be said?
PS At that time, I was a ball turret gunner on a B-17 bomber crew.
Sam Wyrouck can be contacted at 801-707-2666.