WWII Letters, D - Day France, Bulge 1st Div " Shot Ack Ack Guns At Us " KIA Related




Item History & Price

Information:
Reference Number: Avaluer:496301Country/Region of Manufacture: Germany
Original Description:
One original 5 page WW2 letter with censored envelope, written by an American hero,   Prt. Richard L Porter of Company B & C. 18th Infantry, 1st Division.The letter dated April 14th 2:00 PM (1945) Hospital Saturday, the envelope has a small drawing of a P-38.    This letter was written shortly after the Battle of the Bulge in which he writes his parents about being shot in the neck and jaw by a German sniper. I believe&nbs...p;he was shot March 10th 1945 or very near that date. This letter has a lot of amazing content and describe how dangerous it was just to stay alive while being evacuated behind enemy lines, here is some of what he writes:  “… First I want you do you know I am telling you all the true fact’s when it comes to my condition. I am progressing satisfactory. The doctors took out the stitches and a drain tubes the other day. I got sick and darn near passed out.  They have 5 pieces of tape holding the incisions closed  so it will heal. I don't know if it will leave a scar or not, the incision is about 6 inches long part of it is beginning to heal and close but the rest is still open and not good looking. After I was hit the platoon aid man put a bandage over my mouth because I was really bleeding through the wound like a stuck hog …. Then I had to walk 2 miles before a G.I. stopped me. 
I walked up the road with my hands up and a white piece of cloth over my head so some G.I. wouldn't shoot me – they took me to a house and called for an ambulance. I waited about an hour and a jeep came. We went to another town over a road where the Germans could see us. We had a Red Cross on the front of the jeep but they still shot Ack Ack guns at us - they missed too. 
I was wounded at 4:30 in the morning and at 8 - they gave me first aid. My jaw doesn’t bother me to much but hurts when I shave or touch it also no feeling in the side of my face.  I don’t know yet if I’ll go beck to the states but time will tell. They said once I would be in the hospital for 120 days. But you never know about these people will do – I'll let you know anything they decide.  ….. We do some chores here in the ward they put us to it. Rehabilitation as they call it they need patients to help do the work’ this Blue “Star Comando’s can't do it all.
Since I went to surgery I've haven't done anything in the ward 3 weeks Wed … Also got an article on my wounding. 
About this Infantryman: Prt Porter landed on Omaha Beach D-Day June 6, 1944 and participated in the great Saint Lo Normandy breakout and was in major action in France, Battle of The Bulge,  Germany. The action was beyond all comprehension against the Germans and he received two Purple Hearts. Porter was in Company C & B, of the 18th Infantry. 
Both Company B and Company C often fought together and they were very aggressive. In a recent book written about his Unit it says: "came in so fast and with so much fire the Jerries didn't know what hit them." (Quote from the book INFANTRYMEN, By Ralph Gordon)  
Prt. Porter was out in front as an infantryman and when you see old WW2 news reels of American soldiers liberating towns in France he was one of those men. He was twice severely wounded in action. Prt. Porter lived in Pasadena California which is rare for a solider who fought in the European Theater.  Prt. Porter was injured the first time while holding a hill near a German pill box when 20 lb. of TNT when off and gave him and other men in his platoon a body concussion the second time he was shot by a sniper in the jaw and neck. One of the letters are written in England about a month before D-Day and the one is written from Germany just after The Battle Of The Bulge. The Bulge letter is dated about a month before he was shot in the neck and jaw by a sniper. This letter has have high documentation because of a book that was written about his unit and I am providing a photo of a page that describes some of the fighting he was involved in March 1945 to give you an idea of what his Company B and C company were dealing with.

There is a new book out that tells the story about Prt. Porters Company C. 18th Infantry 1st Division unit: The Story of Company C Infantrymen: The Story of Company C 18th Infantry 1st Division from June 6, 1944 (the landing on Omaha, Beach) to 1945 by Ralph J Gordon. Ralph Gordon was a solider in C. Company from D-Day on Omaha Beach through to Victory in Europe Day and he was awarded a Silver Star. ( I have a picture of two pages in this listing that cover action near the time he was injured).According to the Gordon’s book, out of the original Company C. 18th Infantry only 3 men from the original company made it though to the end of the war. I do not know all that Prt. Porter was awarded but I do know he had no less then two Purple Hearts. And he did live through the war, was in a English hospital recovering from wounds at wars end. I will include with this original letter some facsimiles of  letters describing how he was severely wounded, once in France and in Germany.  Prt. Porter Dad served in WW1, his Dad warned him about France mud and the Germans.  Prt. Porter’s Platoon Leader was Joseph W. Cambron who was (Awarded the Distinguished Service Cross) was killed in action in Germany October 8, 1944. Lt. Cambron was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for his Gallantry in action in the Battle of Crucifix Hill (Haarberg, Hill 239), nearthe village of Haarenin Germany. Lt Cambron was in the lead attack Company C in the Battle of Crucifix Hill in the campaign to seize Aachen, Germany.His Distinguished Service Cross citation reads: 
“The President of theUnited States of America, authorized by Actof Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pride in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Joseph W. Cambron (ASN:0-1317881), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against anarmed enemy while serving with an Infantry Company of the 18th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 8 October1944, in Germany. Seriously wounded by a shell fragment as he led his platoon across an open field during an advance upon a pillbox, First Lieutenant Cambron dragged himself to a nearby shell crater to locate the source of the withering machine gun, automatic weapons and small arms fire which pinned his platoon to the ground. After crawling back to his squad leaders to issue necessary orders, when he was spotted by the enemy and again wounded. Despite intense pain, he remained staunch and directed effective fire upon the strong point to cover the withdrawal of his men. Observing a squad leader struck by a hail of bullets from the pillbox, First LieutenantCambron, although twice wounded, dragged himself across a completely exposed sector to the aid of his wounded sergeant. Again the object of devastating enemy fire, First Lieutenant Cambron was fatally wounded as he attempted to pull the sergeant to safety. First Lieutenant Cambron's fearless leadership, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty at the cost of his life, exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the1st Infantry Division, and the United StatesArmy.”General Orders: Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No.3 (January 4, 1945)This letter is part of the greatest event in world history of the past hundred years. I have sold many of Porters letters for $100 each I also know that some of Pt Porter's letters are in the 1st Division War Museum. I am starting the bidding of all these letters at $69.00 What you will get:You will get the original letter and envelope and will also include along with the original letter three facsimile letters, one from a wife who's husband was KIA written to Prt. Porters mother, trying to get information on her husband's death and the other relating more about Prt. Porters injury. Also four recently printed 1st Division photos and a small picture print of Lt. Joseph W. Cambron.
Condition: good condition.Bidding conditions and mailing below:I ship Priority Mail US Post Service, three day delivery.  The reason why I ship this way is virtually all of the items I sell are one of a kind and even though an item may not have a high selling price it is sometime priceless to the buyer. Also Priority Mail US Post Service is insured and is tracked to insure delivery. US buyers only. (I do make some exceptions for foreign buyers but you would need to email me to get approval for bidding.You must have bought over 25 items on eBay, Paypal preferred and you must have a good rating in order to buy on this item/items.I have a 100% rating and have sold many rare and important document, letters and items on Ebay so you know you will receive this original item.See photos for condition. Email me if you have any questions. 




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