May 17, 1944 — On Anzio Phil received his first promotion to 1st Lieutenant

Published by Walt Larimore at May 17, 2024

Starting May 17, the 30th Infantry Regiment had several award ceremonies in the Pine Grove Corps Reserve Area. At the age of nineteen, Phil was promoted to 1st Lieutenant, receiving his silver bar from Colonel Lionel McGarr, commander of the 30th Regiment, during the ceremonies. McGarr had just been promoted to full colonel himself. [1]

And to the surprise of the men, over 2,000 of them were awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge [Most Infantrymen considered the CIB to be their most treasured award because it reflects the privilege of serving in active ground combat with other brave, tough, and selfless Infantry soldiers], with Colonel McGarr presenting the badges to each of his men. This award was restricted to officers, colonel or below, and enlisted men assigned to an infantry unit that had been actively engaged in ground combat and had participated actively and satisfactorily in that combat.[1]

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17 May 44

Lt. P.B. Larimore[2]

Hq Co 3^rd BN. 30^th Inf A.P.O. #3

c/o Postmaster, New York, N.Y.

Anzio Beachhead Italy

Dearest Mother and Dad

Just a note folks. I don’t have much time to do any letter writing cause I have much work left to do.

I am swell and feeling good. Will take quite a bit more to get me down than I have been through so far. Maybe I will get that much before it is all over.

By now you should be on your way to Gulfport. Boy I wish I could be with you. I would give any thing to see the both of you, Marilyn and my folks.

Mom I feel sure more now that I ever did that I want that girl for my wife. I think we (in fact I know) have been apart more than we have been together. But when we do, we will have a swell time. In fact I expect we will raise a little hell. So look out.

Bill writes me quite often. I only wish I could find more time to write him.

Write when you can sweetheart. I love you.

Phil

[1] At First Light, pages 103-104.

[2] Handwritten letter (V-Mail copy). Post marked “U.S. Postal Service, No. 3, 1 Jun 1944.”