Bluffs and Piasa Bird, 2016
Madison Historical

1944 World War II Letter Describing Rifle Pin Qualifications

Citation

“1944 World War II Letter Describing Rifle Pin Qualifications,” Madison Historical, accessed November 21, 2024, https://madison-historical.siue.edu/archive/items/show/2235.

Rights

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Description

This artifact is a copy of a genuine letter from a U.S. soldier to his wife dated 1944-3-26. The letter describes the qualifications for a rifle pin, written by Robert Thompson while he was stationed in Germany during World War II. The two guns crossing at the top of the letter represent a rifle pin.

This letter was photographed as part of a Madison Historical class visit to Liberty Middle School in spring 2020. It was brought to class by Drew Murphy.

Transcription

  • P.F.C Thomas R. Thompson
    Co. E, 376th infantry
    A.P.O 94 U.S. Army

    You remember about me writing you, some time ago about the rifle ???? they were getting us. We heard from them and they ????? can have their ???? by April the 15th.
    When I get time I will w??? a list of the things you have to do to be eligible to wear them.
    And I can tell you some thing, you sew them and don’t let anyone tell you any different, here are just a sample of it.
    1-25 mile hike + full field roll and weapon around with – time 8 hrs.
    2 - 9 mile hike, as afore time 2 hours [we did it in ?? 1 hr 45 minits
    3 – Swim and pull a man 100 yards non stop
    4 – do all kind of first aid work, less operation
    5 – 300 yard dash time 45 seconds
    6 – 100 yard dash time 25 “”
    That is 6 of the 250 things you have to pass so you can see that a J??? was 1st class [or Ranger] has to be physically fit to qualify. Some of it is easy and some of it isn’t. Well I have run out of anything to write. So will close for this time.

Source

  • Thompson, Robert

Subjects

  • government
  • World War II
  • military

Contributor

  • Murphy, Drew

Date

1944-3-26

Type

  • Miscellaneous Document

Format

  • jpg

Identifier

  • Murphy-Drew-D-001
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