The Life Of A Soldier

I'm one of the fellows who is making the world safe for democracy. I fought and fought and fought , but I had to go anyway. I was called in Class A. (B here when they go and B here when they come back). U remember when I registered. I went up to the desk and the man in charge was my milkman. He said, "Whats your name?" I said to him, "August Childs". He said, "Are you alien?" I said "No, I feel fine". He said, "When did you first see the light of day ?" I said, "When we moved to Philiadelphia". He asked me how old I was, so I told him twenty-three the first day of Sept. He said, "The first day of September you'll be in China, And that will be the last of August".

Then I went to Camp, and I guess they didn't think I would live long because the first fellow I saw wrote on my card, "Flying Corps". I went a little further and some fellow said, "Look what the wind is blowing in. I said. "Wind nothing, The draft is doing it." On the second morning they put these clothes on me. What an outfit!! As soon as you are in it you think you could fight anybody. They have two sizes , too small and two large. The pants were so tight I couldn't sit down. The shoes were so big I turned around three times and they didn't move. What a raincoat they gave me. It strained the rain. I passed an officer all dressed up with a funny belt and all that stuff. He said, "Yes, what are you kicking about? Look what they gave me".

One morning it was five degrees below and they called us out for underwear inspection, Talk about scenery, red flannels B.V.D's All kinds. The union suit I had on would fit Tony Galento. The lieutenant lined us up and told me to stand up. I said, "I am sire; but this underwear makes you think Im sitting down. He got so mad he put me out digging ditches. A little later he passed me and said, "Don't throw that dirt up here". I said, "Where am I going to put it?" He said, "Dig another hold and put it there".

Three days later we sailed for Austrailia; marching down the pier, I had the worst luck; I had a sergent who stuttered and it took him so long to say "HALT" that twenty seven of us marched overboard. They pulled us out and lined us up on the pier. The Captain came by and said, "Fall in", I said , "I have been in, Sir".

I was on the boat twelve days, seasick for twelve days. Nothing going down, and everything coming up.. Ileaned over the rail al the time. In the middle of oneof the boat leans, the Capain rushed up and said, "What Company are you in?" U saud, "I'm all by myself". He asked me if the Brigaider was up yet. I said, "If I swallowed it, its up." Talk about dumb people! U said to one of the fellows, "I guess we dropped anchor." He replied, "I knew they'd lose it; its's been hanging out ever since we left New York".

Well, we landed and were immediately sent to the trenches. After three days there the cannon started to roar and the shells started to pop; I was shaking with patriotism, and I tried to hide behind the tree, but there weren't enought trees for the officers.

The Captians came around and said, "We go over the top at five o'Clock". I said, "Captain, I'd like to have a forlough". He said, Haven't you any red blood in you?" "Yes, but I dont want to see any of It." I answered.

Five O'Clock we went over the top, and 10,000 Japs came at us. The way they looked at me you'd think I had started this war. Out Captain yelled, "Fire at will". I didnt know anybody by the name of "Will"; I guess the fellow behind me thought I was "Will", because be he fired and shot me in the excitement.