Show saw hard fighting came through unhurt verdun france NOT 24 1918 mr henderson cox st george utah dear father today la a day of days when all the soldiers in france are to write their fathers to inform them that their wayward and lost BOH is at least still on the globe I 1 understand that the censorship will be lifted on this letter so I 1 can feel tree to tell you where I 1 am and what I 1 was doing during the last stage of this great war I 1 am at presen tonly a very short distance from the city and fortress of verdun which has been so famous during this war the last two months I 1 was with the troops that fought one of the greatest and most bloodletting battles of the war the ast 1st american army which fought up the mouse river and in the argonne forest this was the most important sector along the entire front we had the most stubborn resistance by the best troops in germany every toot of ground was fought over and marked by death and blood but we stayed on the job and finally succeeded in breaking their line and cutting the german army in two pieces this caused a retreat by them immediately followed by them asking tor an armistice when the was given them we had them under our thumb they were defeated all we had to do was to go and take them we could have marched to berlin if we had wanted to I 1 have been very fortunate during the fighting I 1 have had several narrow escapes but cama out unhurt I 1 had my gas mask ahot full of holes three holes shot in my pants leg and my band and face scratched just enough to draw blood the old saying that a miss is as good as a mile isn t exactly true when it comes to having shells land near you it produces too many sneaky feelings I 1 could write tor hours describing events over here but must save to talk about when I 1 get back I 1 can say that the experience has been great but I 1 dont wish to ever have it over again our organization has been in every drive where the american army has taken part this is something only a few can boast of we feel like we have done out bit and are anxious to get back I 1 think we deserve being among the first to go at any rate I 1 hope to be back some time next spring how are you getting along now how are all the folks how Is the oil boom there Is it write and tell me all the news wishing you and all a happy xmas with the best to be had I 1 as ever your bon leroy |