As the brand-new company commander of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, and perhaps the youngest company commander in WWII,[1] Phil wrote his parents about the good news.[2]

On February 4, Phil wrote his parents:

I owe both of you quite a few letters, and this is no attempt to answer them all—but rather as a note just to let you know I’m still well.

We are on the line now, so a goodlong answer will have to wait until we get relieved.

As you can see I’m back in L Company again. The Company Commander got hit so I was sent up to take his place until he returns. So don’t think I’ll get to keep the job.

The Colonel [Lionel C. McGarr, Commander, 30th Infantry Division] says that as far as he knows, I’m the youngest company commander on the front.

But being a C.O. puts one heck of a strain on a person, so don’t know if I want the job or not. That is to keep.

Our visibility is severely limited because it’s begun snowing again. The heavy winds cause the snow storm to reach blizzard proportions. It’s miserable. Wish I was home, but have a job to do here for now.

Love Phil

~~~~~

[1] Phil had just turned 20 years old and was a 1st Lieutenant. As far as I can tell, he was the youngest Company Commander in the Army during WWII. According to available information in 2025, the average age of an Army company commander in World War II was around 28-29 years old with a rank of Captain. In Italy, Company Love had been led by Captain Maurice L. “Footsie” Britt, who had been awarded the Medal of Honor, the Distinguished Service Cross, a Silver Star, Bronze Star, and a Purple Heart. Captain Britt wrote Phil’s parents, “You can bet your life that he really has something on the ball to be to be placed in command of a company and be as young as he is. He also has a nice collection of medals.” He added, “Company L is my first and last love in the Army and I am pleased that the Company has such a capable commander.” Britt had played professional football for the Detroit Lions in 1941 before entering active service. He was the first recipient of the top four combat decorations for valor awarded to an Infantryman by the US Army during World War II (the MOH, DSC, SS, and PS) and later served as Lieutenant Governor of Arkansas.

[2] Larimore, At First Light, 203.

[3] Handwritten Letter – V-Mail. Post marked, “U.S. Postal Service. No. 3. 23 Feb 1945.” Written on the envelope, “Recd 2-26-45.”

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