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I can thank my dad (Leo A. Ruth) for this
idea. He suggested that I try to record my adventure.
He said, "Years later, it will be a valuable
recording of what you did and what you saw."
He reminded me, that, if you don't, it will
be hard to recall and as time goes by people have a way of forgetting
and exaggerating things. You know, how you used to wade through
four feet of snow to get to school, how you had to walk four
miles in a blizzard. Yes, Old Timers minds play tricks on them.
So, Dad, thanks for your suggestion. As I
write this, I am glad I have all this information recorded, in
many instances, the moment it happened.
There is an interesting story about this diary.
When I, and most soldiers, came home after the war, we were anxious
to get on with our lives. In my case, going to college under
the G.I. Bill of Rights; then marriage; a move to Ohio to take
my first full time job since I was discharged; then raising our
family and trying to move up the job ladder of success and financial
stability.
All this time, the diary was stored away in
a storage box in the basement. I dug it out in 1967 when son
Bill had to write a term paper in History. The assignment was
to write about his dad's wartime experience. Then it got lost
(I thought). I blamed son Bill for losing it while he handled
it during his class project. For nearly fifteen years, I lamented
this great loss. When Mom and I moved from Worthington to Delaware,
Ohio, I was unpacking some boxes and guess what? Hooray, I found
my precious diary. So Bill, please forgive my accusations. The
diary was never lost, just misplaced.
As you read this diary, much is written in
the present tense; that is, as I wrote it during 1943 - 1945.
Occasionally, you will find notations that I make in 1988 as
I transcribed the diary in preparation for printing. Some notations
are added comments that tend to enhance the story. For example,
the great Bombing Armada at St. Lo. I wrote, "This is history
in the making." The media and history later verified this.
Remember, this was written during the war. Other than editing
for spelling or grammar, the words are taken right from my diary.
My added notes from time to time are so indicated.
You will find some stories that are elaborated. This is a result
of my college English assignments in 1946 when I had to write
essays. I resorted to some of my experiences because they were
current and fresh in my mind. Furthermore, the assignments were
all I could write on. They were my most recent experiences.
So, here is my story of being in the service
and my involvement in World War II.
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