(courtesy of Rob Gawal) |
WARD 17
PERCY JONES GENERAL HOSPITAL
BATTLE CREEK MICHIGAN
Sept. 14, 1944
Dear Sir:
I am very glad to hear that you are back. I wrote to Cpl Clyde
Devers. The letter was sent back to me. On the envelope it has
MISSING and had your signature. I am sorry to hear that. I hope Capt
Diggers [sic, s/b Driggers] got back all right.
Sir, I was in the Bazooka Sec. after the jump but haven't seen any body
I know. Could you tell me who all in the Bazooka Sec. got back.
I am anxious to know. |
I was a
replacement. I was assigned to the 508th in April. I am
sorry to say I can't be back with the Co. 508th is a good outfit.
I had my right leg taken off 6 in. from the hip. I have been back in the
States 1 month.
Sir is there any chance of you sending me my jump suit. It is in
my duffle bag. They had to cut my clothes off me. I would
appreciate it if you could send it. I would like to know how Lt.
Curewell Curwell [s/b Gurwell] made out.
Sincerely
Yours
/s/ Pvt Alvin
L. Richmond |
NOTES:
- Pvt Richmond
was transferred from FFRD (Field Force Replacement Depot) #8 to Hq Hq on 31 March 1944.
- He was
listed as seriously wounded in action on 8 June 1944 and was evacuated
to the 94th General Hospital (location unknown).
- Based on his own
statement, Pvt Richmond was transferred to the Percy Jones General
Hospital in Battle Creek, MI sometime in August 1944.
- The hospital's location may
have been inconvenient for Pfc Richmond's family as he was from West
Virginia but the facility apparently specialized in amputee treatment.
- Pfc Clyde
Devers was captured on D-Day and held as a POW
- Capt Driggers
was seriously wounded on D-Day and was evacuated. He did not
return to the regiment.
- Lt Gurwell was
wounded on 9 June 44 and evacuated to the 93rd General Hospital.
He returned to duty on 24 July 44,
- Battle Creek
was, and still is,
home to a number of cereal manufacturing plants. General Foods
company provided stationary to the hospital with a large footnote
listing all their products knowing that every letter sent home was free
advertising.
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