DIY History | Transcribe | World War II Diaries and Letters | Carroll Steinbeck letters to parents, January - April, 1945 | Carroll Steinbeck to Alfred and Vira Steinbeck Page 5

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Carroll Steinbeck letters to parents, January - April, 1945

Carroll Steinbeck to Alfred and Vira Steinbeck Page 5

5
Scares me to think about how close I came to shooting him. Another time on guard I was sitting in a hay stack with another kid. It was dark as heck along about midnight and then we heard something moving around in the hay at the base of the hay stack. We couldn't see it, but we were both certain it was someone walking there. We were afraid to halt him for we couldn't see where he was and it would have given our position away. We just sat tight and held our breath. We never heard anymore from it and the next morning the guys laughed at us when we told them about it. They can laugh and say it was a dog if they like, but they will never convince me that it wasn't someone down there. I was more scared then than any other time I can remember.
By the way, I'm making $10 a month more now. I received the combat Infantryman's Badge. You get it plus the $10. a month for being under fire. Perhaps you have seen the badge. It is a silver musket on a blue background with a silver wreath.
Can't think of much else tonight so I'd better sign off. Don't worry about me. It isn't nearly as bad as it sounds.
Love, Carroll

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5 Scares me to think about how close I came to shooting him. Another time on guard I was sitting in a hay stack with another kid. It was dark as heck along about midnight and then we heard something moving around in the hay at the base of the hay stack. We couldn't see it, but we were both certain it was someone walking there. We were afraid to halt him for we couldn't see where he was and it would have given our position away. We just sat tight and held our breath. We never heard anymore from it and the next morning the guys laughed at us when we told them about it. They can laugh and say it was a dog if they like, but they will never convince me that it wasn't someone down there. I was more scared then than any other time I can remember. By the way, I'm making $10 a month more now. I received the combat Infantryman's Badge. You get it plus the $10. a month for being under fire. Perhaps you have seen the badge. It is a silver musket on a blue background with a silver wreath. Can't think of much else tonight so I'd better sign off. Don't worry about me. It isn't nearly as bad as it sounds. Love, Carroll