Carl J. Rich
Era: World War II
Military Branch: Army
Photo: Carl J. Rich circa 1942.
Carl J. Rich served during World War II in the European Theater.
He served in the U.S. Army in Company B, 376th Infantry, 94th Division. He enlisted on October 12, 1942.
He separated from active duty on March 2, 1946.
His rank was Lieutenant.
Source: Veterans' Memorial Hall Veteran History Form
Mr. Rich wrote: Daddy, Tell Me About the World at War; Daddy, Tell Me Why?
How do I answer my children? Tell them about hate, tell them about blood on my face from the young man next to me? Tell them about the man hanging by his arms in the branches of a tree with nothing but a big hole in his middle as his lower half sinks to the ground. Damn the automatic rifle! Tell them about running across an open area with a “jerry can” of water when a small mortar shell hits the side of the can, locking my fingers to the handle. Tell them about two men in a wet foxhole, one asleep and waking up with a frightened start and shooting his buddy, thinking he was the enemy. Tell them about signaling a German soldier to surrender, but he fires his automatic pistol at me and, hitting three clips of rifle ammo across my chest, which exploded, setting fire to my overcoat. Tell them how Clifford and John died, along with now nameless others. Tell them about fear and hate that still lurks in the dark corners of my mind. Tell them abut the woman who often soothes my tearless brain.
I couldn’t tell you why, because it is also locked in those dark corners.
I have often thought, Why did I not die in my greatest experiences, and it seems I should have!!
