CIB's being awarded to com engs

[Walt's Daughter]

Printed with permission from my engineer buddy:

 

Hi Marion,

 

Your letter about the CIB has excited me more than I can tell you. It

is very difficult for me to believe that just one person can untangle

this mess that I was involved with many years ago and struck out. This

was even with the help of the Head of the Congressional Armed Services

Committee. You are just a wonder!

 

I can understand how some of the infantrymen feel. However, I am sure

they do not fully understand what it is that combat engineers did and

went through. I can only speak about what we in the 39th had to do:

 

We were part of the strike force of Colonel Darby's Rangers in the

invasion of Sicily.

We relieved the 179th infantry regiment on the Beachhead and held their

position for about a week.

We also sent out patrols to capture German prisoners ( where we lost a

lot of men ).

They should know that if it walks like a duck, quacks like a duck and

looks like a duck, it most assuredly is a duck.

 

I am most anxious to hear when you find the May 1944 document and get

this thing settled.

 

I wish you and your family a very Happy Easter.

 

Dave