My father’s induction into the OCS Hall of Fame at Fort Benning
April 12, 2025On April 13, 1945, Phil chose to write his father, knowing that the news would be painful to bear for his mother.[1]
On April 13, 1945, Phil chose to write his father, knowing that the news would be painful to bear for his mother:
Dad:
By now, I hope you’ve gotten the letter from Capt. Williams, our Regimental surgeon, about just what happened to me…. I was wounded by what I think was a dumdum sniper bullet. Try as they did, they couldn’t save my right foot. So, they had to cut it off about halfway between the knee and the ankle.
The main thing I’m interested in is getting my new one and getting back with the 3rd Div. I don’t intend on letting them discharge me just on account of this.
My promotion [to Captain] will be through here in a few weeks, so I’m told, and I’m all ready to get back to work.
Now, Dad, the job comes for you. I won’t be getting any mail from you from now until I get home. (Which I am now on my way.) But you’ve got to tell Mom, so when I write her all about it in a few days, she will know about it.
Most likely, I’ll be sent to the General Hospital there in Memphis when they get me in the States.
Now, Dad, I don’t want any of these damn people crying over me or any of that crap. I’m all well, and as soon as I learn to use my new foot, I’ll be ok again, so you tell them, huh? Must lay down again but will write you again. But am going to wait a few days before I write Mom.
Love, Phil[1]
That same day, terrible news spread through the ward like wildfire: President Roosevelt was dead, having died the day before at his Warm Springs, Georgia, retreat. All of the men were shocked and felt a tremendous loss since FDR had been the only leader of the United States they’d ever known. They’d grown up listening to his “fireside chats” on the radio and were motivated by his speeches of encouragement as they went off to war.
General Eisenhower ordered all unit commanders to hold a short memorial service for Roosevelt on Sunday, April 15. Phil was unable to attend because he was being transferred 250 miles by train to the 195th General Hospital near Reims, France, in preparation for being shipped home.[1]
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In case you missed the story leading up to this:
- April 8, 1945 (Part 1) — Phil severely wounded one month before the end of the war
- April 8, 1945 (Part 2) — Phil severely wounded one month before the end of the war
- April 8, 1945 (Part 3) — Phil severely wounded one month before the end of the war
- April 9, 1945 (Part 4) — Phil severely wounded one month before the end of the war
- April 9, 1945 (Part 5) — Phil severely wounded one month before the end of the war
- April 10, 1945 (Part 6) — Phil Larimore the man that bullets could not stop
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[1] Larimore, At First Light, 267-268.
Learn more about my book about my father’s heroics and exploits at Amazon’s First Light page here. You can also read more of my WWII blogs here as well!
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