TRANSCRIBED FROM THE BAXTER BULLETIN APRIL 18, 1919 P. 1
March 22nd, 1919,
Bonnetable, France.
Dear father and mother:
Here I am back in France. Have been doing a lot of traveling of late, but though tiresome, I am not grumbling because I am getting closer to home all the time. I rejoined Btry. F. 130th Wednesday night. The boys all seemed glad to have me back, and I was exceedingly glad to get back, because with the 35th Division I am due to sail for the states about the 6th of April and will probably be discharged by the first of may at Camp Funston Kansas, whereas, if I had stayed with the 2nd Division I would have been over here as long as there is an American army in Germany.
I told you about the nice trip I had from Germany back to France, but didn’t tell you what else was waiting me on my return besides the transfer, bet you cannot guess. Well it was a Coix de Guerre. I was cited for good judgement and courage in keeping the Battalion supplied with ammunition on the Champagne drive Oct. 2nd to 12th. Doing this when the roads were being constantly shelled by the Germans. It was a case of necessity and I don’t see as I deserve any more than the men under me, as they had to go through the same thing. I was told to report to the Division Hdqtrs. at Neurvied on my way here, and Major General Lejeuns, awarded me with same. He shook hands with me and wished me good luck on the way back to the States.
I will probably be near New York by the time this reaches you. After I get my discharge I will very likely go to Hutchinson, Kas., and Alva, Okla., to see friends, and then I hope to make you a visit before I go back to work. That is, if I have enough money to manage it. Also want to see Ivy and Rose Mary after I have seen you, Lawrence and Dillon and families. Then I might go back by Fancy Farm. Haven’t decided yet just what I will do, but may go in to some kind of business with one of two young men I know in Kansas or Oklahoma. Will have to look around first before I can decide.
Have you heard from Linz lately, where is he now? and how is he getting along? and Nolson, haven’t heard directly from him since the armistice was signed. Is he back in the States, and has he been discharged yet? If you see or hear from him about the time you receive this, have him write me at 520 East Sherman St., Hutchinson, Kas., letting me know what he is doing and where he expects to be the latter part of May and June. You had better address all your letters there until further notice.
Give my love to Lawrence, Clysts, Dillon and wife, and hoping this will find you well, and that I will see you soon, I am as ever your devoted son,
Willie
NOTES: Francis Willis Willett was born in Kentucky on March 9, 1892 and died in Newton, Kansas on March 24, 1979. He is buried in the Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Newton. His military headstone identifies him as a Sgt. in the US Army during WWI. He enlisted on July 22, 1917 and was discharged on May 11, 1919. He departed for France on April 26, 1918 from Hoboken, NJ onboard the Von Steuben. He was serving as a Corp. in Battery F, 130 FA. He departed from Brest on April 13, 1919 on board the Mobile. He arrived in Hoboken on April 23, 1919. He was serving as a Sgt. in the 130 FA.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS
March 22nd, 1919,
Bonnetable, France.
Dear father and mother:
Here I am back in France. Have been doing a lot of traveling of late, but though tiresome, I am not grumbling because I am getting closer to home all the time. I rejoined Btry. F. 130th Wednesday night. The boys all seemed glad to have me back, and I was exceedingly glad to get back, because with the 35th Division I am due to sail for the states about the 6th of April and will probably be discharged by the first of may at Camp Funston Kansas, whereas, if I had stayed with the 2nd Division I would have been over here as long as there is an American army in Germany.
I told you about the nice trip I had from Germany back to France, but didn’t tell you what else was waiting me on my return besides the transfer, bet you cannot guess. Well it was a Coix de Guerre. I was cited for good judgement and courage in keeping the Battalion supplied with ammunition on the Champagne drive Oct. 2nd to 12th. Doing this when the roads were being constantly shelled by the Germans. It was a case of necessity and I don’t see as I deserve any more than the men under me, as they had to go through the same thing. I was told to report to the Division Hdqtrs. at Neurvied on my way here, and Major General Lejeuns, awarded me with same. He shook hands with me and wished me good luck on the way back to the States.
I will probably be near New York by the time this reaches you. After I get my discharge I will very likely go to Hutchinson, Kas., and Alva, Okla., to see friends, and then I hope to make you a visit before I go back to work. That is, if I have enough money to manage it. Also want to see Ivy and Rose Mary after I have seen you, Lawrence and Dillon and families. Then I might go back by Fancy Farm. Haven’t decided yet just what I will do, but may go in to some kind of business with one of two young men I know in Kansas or Oklahoma. Will have to look around first before I can decide.
Have you heard from Linz lately, where is he now? and how is he getting along? and Nolson, haven’t heard directly from him since the armistice was signed. Is he back in the States, and has he been discharged yet? If you see or hear from him about the time you receive this, have him write me at 520 East Sherman St., Hutchinson, Kas., letting me know what he is doing and where he expects to be the latter part of May and June. You had better address all your letters there until further notice.
Give my love to Lawrence, Clysts, Dillon and wife, and hoping this will find you well, and that I will see you soon, I am as ever your devoted son,
Willie
NOTES: Francis Willis Willett was born in Kentucky on March 9, 1892 and died in Newton, Kansas on March 24, 1979. He is buried in the Saint Mary’s Cemetery in Newton. His military headstone identifies him as a Sgt. in the US Army during WWI. He enlisted on July 22, 1917 and was discharged on May 11, 1919. He departed for France on April 26, 1918 from Hoboken, NJ onboard the Von Steuben. He was serving as a Corp. in Battery F, 130 FA. He departed from Brest on April 13, 1919 on board the Mobile. He arrived in Hoboken on April 23, 1919. He was serving as a Sgt. in the 130 FA.
TRANSCRIBED BY LINDA MATTHEWS