"WE FIRED 12,000 ROUNDS BUT THE GERMANS NEVER SCORED A HIT ON US"

TRUMAN MAYBE NOT A BRAGGART BUT HE SURE LIKED TO BRAG

Western Front, France (JFK+50) On November 15, 1918, Captain Harry S Truman wrote in a letter to Bess Wallace...

"While I am not a braggart* I believe I can take my outfit and beat any other in the A.E.F.** shooting or doing any other kind of battery work."

The Captain continued to brag....

"I recommended one of my kids to go to West Point** and he was one out of seven in the A.E.F. to go...

My greatest ambition (at the beginning of the war was) to take a battery and not lose a man.  We fired 10,000 to 12,000 rounds (but) the (Germans) never score(d) a hit on (us)."

The letter was signed...

"Always, Harry

Capt Bt D, 129 FA

Am E. F."

*The term derives from Middle English "braggen"...to make a loud noise; to speak boastfully.

**American Expeditionary Force (United States Army of WWI) was established on July 5 1917 & commanded by General John J. Pershing.

SOURCE

"Letter, Harry S Truman to Bess Wallace, Nov 15 1918", Harry S Truman Library and Museum, www.trumanlibrary.org/

Harry S Truman

France 1918

Truman Library Photo

NARA Image

I HAVE PUT 1800 SHELLS OVER ON THE GERMANS IN 5 HOURS

TRUMAN RECEIVES LETTER OF COMMENDATION

Western Front, France  (JFK+50) On November 1, 1918, Harry Truman* penned a letter to Bess Wallace informing her that he had received a letter of Commendation from the commanding general of the 35th Division.  He qualified the letter by writing that it was his chief mechanic who deserved the credit.

Truman wrote...

"I have just finished putting 1800 shells over on the Germans over the last five hours.  They don't seem to have had energy enough to come back yet.  I don't think they will.

I am sure that most Americans will be glad when (the war is) over and they can get back to God's country again."

*Harry S Truman rose to the rank of Captain of artillery and was to be the only POTUS who saw action in WWI.  HST said that he "rather felt we owed France something for Lafayette."  Capt. Truman was 33 years old & married Bess Wallace in Independence, MO on June 28, 1918.  

SOURCES

"Harry Truman in World War I", History on the Net, www.historyonthenet.com/

"World War I Letter from Harry to Bess", Truman Presidential Library and Museum, www.trumanlibrary.org/

Truman-Wallace Wedding

Independence, MO

June 28, 1918

Truman Library Photo