An infantry platoon commander in combat had an average of 6 weeks life expectancy. After heavy fighting across France and the Low Countries, it was believed by the Allied High Command that the Germans lacked the ability or the will to launch an assault in the Ardennes, and the troops were there to rest through Christmas. wias. Out of the 3,000,000 men and women in our armed forces and reserves, we have lost 4,500 in this 9 year war. The need for special training for BAR operators, including the proper method of cleaning it, also contributed to its being carried by only one squad member. There were instances when some men used grenades to try to blast the frozen soil, a practice which was quickly stopped by the sergeants. He said fighting was especially deadly in the war-torn city of Bakhmut, dubbed "the meat. I was stationed on 2 FSBs (8 & 175mm guns) west of Tay Ninh on the Cambodian boarder in the Ho Chi Minh trail and was wounded but nothing as bad as he was. Assigned to HHC 1/77 Armor, 1st, BDE 5th Inf. The infantryman ate, slept, marched, fought, and died with his squad. The course is intended to provide an intermediate step between the buddy aid -style basic life support taught to every soldier and the advanced life support skills that are taught to US Army Combat Medics and to US Army . Replacement infantrymen were often treated as an outsider, and no doubt already somewhat fearful of what they were getting into, they bore an additional burden of being considered to be little more than a casualty waiting to happen. They were glad to see me as it had been a while for replacements with the unit. Their officers traveled on the same train, but in passenger cars, which were marginally more comfortable but also unheated. Rules may have changed, I was in the Delta region. It was a daily challenge to know who your real enemy was. It doesnt make any sense statistically/mathematically it is impossible. I assisted Vessey and Capt Cartwright by helping prepare the Bee Hive Rounds (first time they were ever used), firing 4 rounds at proximity 0 range into a human wave attack on or weak side after 5 hours of relentless attacks on the opposite side of the perimeter Those 4 rounds killed @ 400 enemy soldiers, of the 881 total enemy losss John Vessey later became a 4 Star general and Chairman of the Joint Chiefs appointed by Reagan 1983, and at retirement became Chair of the POW MIA Commission for 14 years, Passing away in August 2016 just 6 months before our 50th Reunion. Amen I was a machine gunner for 7 months 503rd infantry 173rd airborne and you hit the nail right on the head. The 11X program challenges new recruits with the option of becoming MOS 11B or MOS 11C. It was an HONOR and a privilege to serve with these brave men for my 11 month tour. The American army traveled to Europe by ship, and by a wide variety of ships including troop transports designed and built for the purpose, Liberty ships, converted freighters, and the great ocean liners of the Allies. Very Good , I was a radio operator up in I corps in 68 & to me the worst thing was the walking . I felt the same way jumping off the chopper with my m-60, 300. rounds of ammo,grenades,sandbags and six canteens of water. Hats off to them. The young Americans soon learned the essential words in French to address their immediate concerns, such as mademoiselle, vin, biere, and other useful phrases and terms. Ha Ha always enjoyed being a volunteer!