Post-War Letters to Flo

She Kept in Touch with Third Division Friends

My Mother and Audie Murphy Chapter 126

During and after the war Flo continued to correspond with friends in the Third Infantry Division and she saved some of their letters in her album. Some of these reference her love affair with Col. Chris Chaney. The last letter she saved from him was written in April, 1945. It seems they broke up near the end of the war. It’s likely Flo reunited with some of these men at the frequent reunions of the division.

Mailed from NY, NY

Jan 20, 1945

France

Dear Florence,

I suppose I should have written to you before but since I have to have all my letters written for me I have been reluctant to do so. I lost one eye completely and have only half vision in the other. Somewhat like the old saying “Blind in one eye and cant see out of the other one.” The docs tell me that I can see about as much as I ever will so I am doomed for retirement.

Your friend Glen

Feb 15, 1945

Dear Flo,

My left arm is paralyzed but should be ok in a week or so. They are going to take the pieces out of my left eyebrow in a few days so I will be as good as new. How has the Col (Chaney) been doing since I left? Guess I have lost out completely.

To be truthful, Flo, this is much better than when I was with the outfit. I am afraid it is spoiling me. Really it’s nice to have no worries and to eat and sleep.

Take care of yourself.

Love, Gus

Lionel C. McGarr

Colonel, Infantry

U.S. Army

August 2, 1946

Flo darling!

…. I know how you feel about getting settled. I am going through the same deal. I found one thing I liked when the war came along and now it is pretty hard to be a “peace time” soldier—don’t even like being a family man too much. Must be the “mileage” we put on over there.

I am Executive Officer at Ft. Myer now but will leave to go to the National War College Washington DC. It is the army’s top school and I guess I should feel flattered. It will be a ten month course starting in September.

The Regimental History was finished. It is a swell look and a “damn” well written history. It can never be as good as that “crazy” regiment actually was, Flo. You and I know that. Certainly is grand to write to you ‘cause I know that you understand. I look back over the 31 months of action and am “damn” proud of these kids—proud and humble. They were tops.

(About proposed deactivation of the division and citations) Why in hell (the commanders) don’t fight for us like we fought for them I don’t know. They always demanded everything and gave nothing in return. They still have their stars though. Our whole country seems to be the same.

They just want to forget the men we killed. I cannot forget them and I don’t want to forget them. In fact it is hard to sleep at night at times because of them. I feel that we all, those of us who understand, must keep up the fight to get for our country the things those kids died for. They forget soon—too soon!

(Jens) Jansen was here the other day. He is waiting for (Janet) Potts to get here and they are to be married—imagine!!

Love, Mac

September 12, 1946

Dearest Flo,

Received your swell answer to my last letter and your picture. The snap was swell. Jansen and Janet were married the 24^thof last month at the Fort Myer chapel and I gave the bride away. They left shortly after for the West. I hear, later, that this is her third wedding. Golla! What a woman—if true! She looked swell and so did Floyd (Jens).

…. We had a letter from Chaney and he expected to be assigned to Atlanta Georgia. Don’t know what he is to do yet. Yes, Flo I knew—just sensed it—that you and he were crazy about each other. Maybe now you do wonder if he was worth it—and maybe now he isn’t. He was then I am sure and I am a bit disappointed in you that you did not let love have its way there. Happiness comes so seldom and in such small lots that I, being a realist as you say, think one should take advantage of it when it comes. Lord! knows you had plenty of heartbreak and no one, not that it matters, could have begrudged you that much happiness. One of our best pictures in the book is of your pals n’ you taken in Strasbourg.

I am now going to school and plenty busy. Being a school boy again is fun but hard to get used to again. Bye now—and don’t be too good—if it hurts.

Love, Mac

P. B. Larimore

Memphis, Tenn.

Sept. 9, 1947

Dear Flo,

….I don’t know how any of we line company officers and doggies could ever forget you “Doughnut Gals.” There must be a very special and wonderful place reserved in every Marne Man’s heart for all of you.

I think I remember you all the night in Nancy when you all served doughnuts to my company. Do you remember that big white house we had for the company and the chow line out back?

Oh yes, Agolsheim, did you know that was the second big attack in which I had acted in the capacity of C.O.? Golly! But after things finally quieted down, I enjoyed that little town. That was the first time we ever had any fun on the Rhine River. About that big white goose—we did cook it, we did eat it, and it was good! Do wish Col. Chaney had let you stay long enough to have some. Do you remember that little courtyard in front of my C.P.? About 15 minutes after you left, three 120 MM mortar shells landed in the center of that courtyard. Lucky no one was hurt but those shells sure shot hell out of our rations. I shudder to think what would have happened had those shells come in while you were still there. C’est la Guerre!

Oh yes, I saw Col. Chaney in Atlanta about three or four months ago, still the same swell guy, but some of the things he told me about how and what condition I was in when they finally got me to the aid station did scare me a little.

I am retired now, much to my utter disgust, because it seems the army does not want one-legged officers now. So, since my hopes for an army career are shot, I am going to University of Virginia to take training to enter the State Department.

Sincerely, Larry