Page 39 - Anthology

After Robert was wounded, the Germans threw his body onto a wagon. He landed on a Lieutenant’s
legs. They looked at each other – they were alive! Robert and the Lieutenant remained in touch for a few
years after the war. They exchanged Christmas cards. PFC Gaul had written a note to Robert’s mother
telling her how sorry he was about Robert’s passing. Robert answered the letter and surprised him about
the fact that he had survived and made it home after his mother had received that letter.

I exchanged letters with Robert while he was in the army. If he got too descriptive, the army censored
them by cutting out words or by using black markers to blot out the words. I have the entire set of letters
from Robert.

7
Robert was discharged from Company E, 143rd Infantry Regiment on December 14, 1945. The 143rd
th
Infantry Regiment was part of the 36 Infantry Division. He had to report to the Fort Sam Houston, Texas
Separation Center, for his discharge.