Joe Describes His Experience in the Battle of the Bulge

So I spoke to my cousin Noel Krebs yesterday.  He is my second cousin on the O'Donnell side of my family.  His mother, Anne O'Donnell Krebs, is the daughter of Frank and Nellie O'Donnell ( Frank was my Grandpa T.J. O'Donnell brother).   Tomorrow (Sunday) Noel is going to be connecting with a group that served in the Battle of the Bulge ( they must be elderly gentlemen) and he was asking me about my Uncle Joe O'Donnell's involvement in the Battle of Bulge.   I told him all I could remember off the top on my head and suggested that he should contact Joe's granddaughter, Kathleen Smith Balint for more details since she is now the keeper of the Joe O'Donnell binders.   Coincidentally,

(there are no coincidences are there?) I decided to clean out the file cabinet next to my computer and came across this one letter.  This letter was found undated and folder among my parents' memorabilia.  It was obviously copied over by my mother, Rita O’Donnell Fries since it is written in her handwriting.  (I could not find the original).  It is my Uncle's description of his experience during the Battle of the Bulge.   I am hopeful that someone in Noel's family will be able to print this and get it to him asap.  I know Noel rarely "does" computer or Facebook but the Frank and Nellie O'Donnell family was very prolific and there are descendants all over the place - hopefully some are near Goshen and on Facebook.  Hopefully they will find it in their hearts to get this to my dear cousin, Noel.

“Dear Folks,

This is Joey coming to you from Belgium.  I’m writing this in a Belgium home that the Bn. Got for another officer and myself for living.  Last nite I slept in a big feather bed about a foot thick at least, the first bed I slept in since I came over seas.  Oh boy! Did I sleep sound. Wow!! It was wonderful.

I guess I can tell you about what happened on the front.  We were called up with the 101^st Airborne Div. as shock troops to absorb all Jerry could throw at us.  We took up Defensive positions behind our fleeing allies – the next morning Jerry showed up.  We sat way up high on a mountain just inside a woodline,  Jerry crossed an open field in swarms and tried to take a small town in the valley.  I sat on the wood line with binoculars and watched.  Suddenly our artillery opened up –wham – bang- that was the first time Jerry knew we were there.  They were blown right off the earth.  Then we counter attacked and drove Jerry back.  – We captured prisoners of course and they said – the higher up said the Americans were 15 miles away and running back to the channel.   We stayed there in our defense position until 45,000 American troops could escape Jerry and reorganize.   General Montgomery had to order us back 7 miles to better positions.   Our general said the 82^nd never gave up ground and Monty said we would have a chance to get it back soon.  Well we got the opportunity sooner than we thought.  We made three main attacks.  My platoon spearheaded all three.  On the 1^st and 2^nd we rode tanks just like riding a bronco only having people shoot at you.  E. Company shined.  The first attack we got on the tanks all full of spirit.  These boys sure are a wild and reckless bunch, but they make swell soldiers.   I was full of fight just itching to drop some Jerries.   Well after the attack was over I felt different.  I hated war and I hated to attack.  We got shot up bad.  2 officers out of 6 were left.  Our platoons were half strength.  Next afternoon we pushed off again.  I didn’t like the idea of riding on those tanks.  You are like a duck on a pond.  I took the company over that night.  I was the only officer left.  The next morning a 1^st Lt. came in and rank held priority so he has the company.  The last attack was the worst I think.  We jumped off at dawn and were caught at the open fields just like we caught Jerry.  I laid in a hole for 3hrs.  It was snowing and I was all wet from crawling in the snow.  Each time I put my head up a rifle would zing or a shell from an 88 would drop in.   I prayed but hard and came out O.K.  Cold boy – it was rough.

It’s all over now so don’t worry.   I’m fit as a fiddle and know what the score is.   I did crazy things so does everyone.  That’s why we are winning the war.  I won’t stick my neck out too far – don’t worry.  I love you all.

                                                                                    Your son Joe”

(Joseph T. O’Donnell 2^nd Lieutenant)

Sharon and Me

I should be sleeping. It's late and I'm feeling so tired.  I have aches and pains from too much time sitting at the computer but I came across this photo and could not help myself.  I had to take a moment to reminisce and to share.   It is the 1950's and we are two young girls trying on what it feels like to be young women.  The photo was taken outside the back door of 91 Craig Avenue, the home that my Aunt Marie bought in Freeport, Long Island.  God only knows where we got those dresses and those hats, but we appear to be having a jolly good time, lipstick and all! 
It seems like just yesterday and at the same time, it seems like a million years ago.