Personal Accounts

Personal Accounts

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Roswell K. Doughty
Headquarters, 141st Infantry

At an orientation session the first morning, General Wilbur, holder of the Congressional Medal of Honor, told us that our training would include doses of peril and sleeplessness closely simulating battle conditions. In fact, he stated that nothing in combat would exceed the stress under which we would operate at his so-called "school". For reasons which should become clearer, we came to know the place as, "Wilbur's School of Torture and Dirty Tricks."

Battalion Bloodbath
The Rapido River Crossing

Robert F. Spencer
Company F
143rd Regiment

With my energy almost gone I reached the other side, there I met a company CO who I knew (name I have forgotten) waiting to lead his company across when he received the order. My appearance must have been terrible as I was bloody, wet, muddy etc. "My God, Spencer," he said, "what happened to you?"

On Mt. Maggiore

Richard Manton
Company F,
141st Infantry

I had dug a fox-hole up to my armpits for fighting and observing and beside it was my slit trench about six feet long but only eighteen inches deep, for sleeping — whenever the chance to sleep came along, which was seldom. I can recall sliding into the wet trench and wrapping a sopping wet G.I. wool blanket around me and as I lay back with my steel helmet on my head I could see the steam rise out of the blanket. Even wet it offered some warmth against the chilly night air.

Action At Anzio

Paul H. Duffey
Company C,
143st Infantry

We cleared Velletri and moved to higher ground. We were strafed by a few planes and took a few casualties, then took a short break to rest and eat. We were on our way to Rome. We had them running and intended to keep it that way.

Honorary Texan

Paul D. Hinkle
Company L.
143st Infantry

Aug. 15, 44 was my first combat experience, over the side of an assault transport, into the LCIs and head for the beach. I had about 5 minutes training as the 2nd man on a flame thrower, on the way in, the No. 1 man got so sick the OIC told the Navy Chief No. 1 man was not going in, so I got the honor. When I hit the beach I went down on my knees, I thought from the weight, I looked up and saw a huge stone projecting from the back of the beach 30 to 50 feet high. All I could think was god what a tombstone.