WWII Letter V - Mail, D - Day France, Bulge " Combat " Hospital, 1st Div, KIA Related
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:511882 | Country/Region of Manufacture: Germany |
One original WW2 V-Mail letter and envelope, written by an American hero, Prt. Richard L Porter of Company B & C. 18th Infantry, 1st Division.The letter dated October 22, 1944 somewhere in France.This letter has great content, Prt. Porter was injured with a body concussion. Prt. Porter got the injury 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. I think the hill was Crucifix Hill in Germany but not completely sure. I just sold another letter that describes the way he and others in his platoon got the injury, he wrote this about the enemy engagement: ".... Our outfit was helping Ruby's hold a hill in Germany. It had a number of pillboxes on it + we had lost a few to Jerry. We got them back and was defending the hill against counter attack. I was in a pillbox with two rooms, some of my buddies was in one of the rooms with a small window, when when a counter attack came. They thew a potato masher in + we throw it out, next one lit outside + exploded in our face. I fired a few times though the window + then moved back. I saw a Jerry throw in a box with about 20 pounds of TNT and I yelled to the rest to look out + beat it. I out + hid behind a door about ten feet form the room, had a steel door in front of me + could look out how a glass slit. I was watching the room when the TNT exploded. I saw the flash + then was knocked to the floor. I was out about 5 Min when I came too. I felt like I was 50 feet below water numb all over + on my knees I was gasping for breath I was out of my head for a while, it sure hit me hard thought I was going to die....." In this original V-Mail letter he writes: ".... I'm in a hospital somewhere in France. Don't worry as I am OK comming along pretty good. I have concussion of the chest , will be ok in a little while ....They are treating me fine here - got cleaned up shaved + slept between sheets, first time since I left home, the food is fine ... I may get to combat "Dr Joe" he's somewhere's around here. I'll see the Red Cross about it as soon as I can get out of bed. You knew I was somewhere in Germany also you guessed the town - things were a little warm, thank God I'm alive ..." 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.
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 October 1944, 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 are 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. (I think that Prt Porter was injured sometime between Oct 10th 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 this letter at $49.00 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.
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.
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 October 1944, 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 are 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. (I think that Prt Porter was injured sometime between Oct 10th 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 this letter at $49.00 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.
