TRANSCRIBED FROM THE LITTLE RIVER NEWS APRIL 9, 1919 P. 3
Dear Julia and Tom:
I have not forgotten you, but I certainly had forgotten your street and number. Hope this letter reaches you o.k. I wrote once in August while in the trenches but am not sure if it got off.
Either I am fortunate or very unfortunate. I have come through the greatest and most eventful year of my life without a scratch or scar to show for it. The first of 1918 found me in a hospital in Texas, the end of 1918 found me walking post number 1 on the Moselle river in Germany. Little did I think in January '18 I would be treading German soil in December '18. However, now, as I look back on the months between I see very readily that was but the inevitable that Germany should fall within the year.
I have not been a mere spectator of the World Drama either. I fought at Chateau Thiery, in the first phase of the great counter attack in July that started the tide of battle in favor of the allies. I fought in the Champagne battle along the Vesle River just west of Fismes; I fought in the Saint Michiel drive, and I fought in two phases of the great Argonne Meuse offensive; went over the top on the first day of this battle, September 26, and came out October 20th.
I have had some narrow personal escapes; I went into battle northwest of Chateau Thiery in the early dawn with 34 men. When noon came only nine effectives remained. I being among the nine. I had two comrades killed in the same hole by enemy snipers. They bled all over me and I lay as if I were dead too to keep from drawing fire. I slept in a hole beside a comrade whose hole was over 8 feet away. A three-inch shell went into his hole, passing through him and killing him instantly while the shell never exploded. This happened while I was sleeping and I never knew of it until day. I went up with one platoon as a runner for the company commander. I had two other men with me as runners too, both of them were casuals before we reached our destination or in less than one hour. Have been in two buildings when they were struck by heavy shells, killing some each time. Was shot through my leggins barely burning the skin and I was struck on the point of my shoulder by flying shrapner. It nearly knocked me down and made a black spot from my elbow to shoulder. I've seen many ugly sights and seen some heroism. As I say I am lucky to be o.k. with the experiences I've had, provided my health is not impaired, but I certainly do not count on having to endure any such experiences again.
Now this may seem rather boasting to you but all I have said is true and the fact is 'tis not half all either. One of every six who came across with me in our company are now occupying graves in France. Either killed out right, died of wounds, or of disease contracted while in line of duty. So you see 'tis nothing for me to boast of as many of them were among my closest friends.
Perhaps you have already heard of my good fortune in being sent on detached service to school here in Paris. I believe I fully realize the importance of the opportunity and so am determined to do my best. Three men were selected from my regiment, a captain, a lieutenant and I. I feel myself honored for the order said that only those who had had at least two years college work, and the very best of military reputation would be elligible. I was greatly disappointed on my arrival here to find that the courses I intended to take were given only in French. Well, I am no good at parley vous. Nearly every American found the same thing. So I am taking almost exclusively French with Economical Geography. The work is not hard to me and I expect to make it o.k.
I was sorry to hear of you having the flu. I hope that long before you receive this you will be entirely recovered. I receive letters from Emmett regularly but have never seen him or any one else I know sinc I came over here.
I have seen most of the big men of the League of Nations Conference.
I receive $3.00 per day while here to defray expenses. This is outside the usual pay too. I shall be here 'til July. Now I want to hear from you. Give my best regards to Maude and Walter.
Yours,
George Green Jr.
Care Army Educational Commission, 76 Rue de Touburg St. Horore, Sorbornne Detachment, Paris, France.
P.S. Paris is great. I’ll send you some post card views. I expect to get home about fall.
NOTES: George Henry Clay Green Jr. was born in Winthrop, Arkansas on June 15, 1894 and died on November 25, 1988. He is buried in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He enlisted on September 20, 1917 and was discharged on August 12, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD
Dear Julia and Tom:
I have not forgotten you, but I certainly had forgotten your street and number. Hope this letter reaches you o.k. I wrote once in August while in the trenches but am not sure if it got off.
Either I am fortunate or very unfortunate. I have come through the greatest and most eventful year of my life without a scratch or scar to show for it. The first of 1918 found me in a hospital in Texas, the end of 1918 found me walking post number 1 on the Moselle river in Germany. Little did I think in January '18 I would be treading German soil in December '18. However, now, as I look back on the months between I see very readily that was but the inevitable that Germany should fall within the year.
I have not been a mere spectator of the World Drama either. I fought at Chateau Thiery, in the first phase of the great counter attack in July that started the tide of battle in favor of the allies. I fought in the Champagne battle along the Vesle River just west of Fismes; I fought in the Saint Michiel drive, and I fought in two phases of the great Argonne Meuse offensive; went over the top on the first day of this battle, September 26, and came out October 20th.
I have had some narrow personal escapes; I went into battle northwest of Chateau Thiery in the early dawn with 34 men. When noon came only nine effectives remained. I being among the nine. I had two comrades killed in the same hole by enemy snipers. They bled all over me and I lay as if I were dead too to keep from drawing fire. I slept in a hole beside a comrade whose hole was over 8 feet away. A three-inch shell went into his hole, passing through him and killing him instantly while the shell never exploded. This happened while I was sleeping and I never knew of it until day. I went up with one platoon as a runner for the company commander. I had two other men with me as runners too, both of them were casuals before we reached our destination or in less than one hour. Have been in two buildings when they were struck by heavy shells, killing some each time. Was shot through my leggins barely burning the skin and I was struck on the point of my shoulder by flying shrapner. It nearly knocked me down and made a black spot from my elbow to shoulder. I've seen many ugly sights and seen some heroism. As I say I am lucky to be o.k. with the experiences I've had, provided my health is not impaired, but I certainly do not count on having to endure any such experiences again.
Now this may seem rather boasting to you but all I have said is true and the fact is 'tis not half all either. One of every six who came across with me in our company are now occupying graves in France. Either killed out right, died of wounds, or of disease contracted while in line of duty. So you see 'tis nothing for me to boast of as many of them were among my closest friends.
Perhaps you have already heard of my good fortune in being sent on detached service to school here in Paris. I believe I fully realize the importance of the opportunity and so am determined to do my best. Three men were selected from my regiment, a captain, a lieutenant and I. I feel myself honored for the order said that only those who had had at least two years college work, and the very best of military reputation would be elligible. I was greatly disappointed on my arrival here to find that the courses I intended to take were given only in French. Well, I am no good at parley vous. Nearly every American found the same thing. So I am taking almost exclusively French with Economical Geography. The work is not hard to me and I expect to make it o.k.
I was sorry to hear of you having the flu. I hope that long before you receive this you will be entirely recovered. I receive letters from Emmett regularly but have never seen him or any one else I know sinc I came over here.
I have seen most of the big men of the League of Nations Conference.
I receive $3.00 per day while here to defray expenses. This is outside the usual pay too. I shall be here 'til July. Now I want to hear from you. Give my best regards to Maude and Walter.
Yours,
George Green Jr.
Care Army Educational Commission, 76 Rue de Touburg St. Horore, Sorbornne Detachment, Paris, France.
P.S. Paris is great. I’ll send you some post card views. I expect to get home about fall.
NOTES: George Henry Clay Green Jr. was born in Winthrop, Arkansas on June 15, 1894 and died on November 25, 1988. He is buried in the Memorial Park Cemetery in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. He enlisted on September 20, 1917 and was discharged on August 12, 1919.
TRANSCRIBED BY LAEL HARROD