ecause I didn’t know where our people were and the fear of the noise bringing the Chinks back on us. I tried to find the pin in the bottom of my foxhole but no luck. Our platoon leader at that time was LT. Sherman Endsley, a big man and a gutsy man. When it started to get daylight we knew we had to make a decision as to how to get out of there, we knew we were behind enemy lines by this time. <strong>The</strong>re was only about eight of us left, Lt. Endsley wanted to go one way and a number of us wanted to go another. <strong>The</strong>y wouldn’t let me throw that stupid grenade so I continued to carry it. Anyway Lt. Endsley let whoever wanted to go with him go with him and whoever wanted to go a different way go their own way. Shelstad, Butcher, Foster, myself and a couple other guys decided to make this end run, we figured our lines couldn’t be far, probably just over the next ridge, anyway we all left, hopefully to meet back at the Company. <strong>The</strong> route we took was right over the hills and all the time we were passing this I looked up and walking the ridge line was a Company of Chinese, probably about 150 of them, they were less than 100 yards away. grenade back and forth. We were going up the side of this hill when someone hollered “Down!” Of course we all hit the dirt. I looked up and walking the ridge line was a Company of Chinese, probably about 150 of them, they were less than 100 yards away. We laid there for what seemed to be a long time, finally we continued up the hill and on the top we walked right into a Chinese straggler. He was as scared as we were. It was really funny because we surprised him as much as he surprised us, his eyes were as big as saucers and I’m sure ours were too, he looked at us, we looked at him. I’m sure he knew he didn’t have a chance if he tried to get his weapon off his shoulder and we sure didn’t want to shoot him and bring his Company down on us. It seemed like an eternity but I believe it was only seconds when he turned and walked toward his unit and we continued down the other side of the hill. I bet he kept up with his Company after that. We traveled about another mile towards our lines and when we saw our people I finally threw that grenade and don’t you know that stupid thing didn’t go off. We walked into our lines and asked where the Company CP was, we talked to the Company Commander and told him a Company of Chinks was coming down the ridge line right for him, he thanked us and we were on our way to find our own outfit. ...to be continued Chaplain’s Corner Rev. Irvin L. Sharp A blessed New Year is extended to each family in our membership by Velma and myself. As we go forward into the new millennium and new year, we have so much for which to be thankful. <strong>The</strong> increase in our membership, the stabilizing of our financial condition and the faith of our members that we will grow stronger together. I received a wonderful letter from Anthony Malvaso of Rochester, New York, who served with the 9th Infantry Regiment, D Company, the same time that I also served. Thank you Tony for renewing so many memories. We implore blessings for good health and happiness for all our associates and your families. Notes on a Beloved Hymn: “How Great Thou Art” This hymn, composed originally in Sweden by Carl Boberg (1857-1940), somehow traveled to Russia and became a favorite among villagers in the Ukraine. <strong>The</strong>re the English missionary, Stuart Hine, heard it often in the 1930s. In 1948 he wrote down both words and music from memory, translated the words and published the result. Thought for this Month Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and he shall sustain thee; he shall never suffer the righteous to be moved. Psalm 55:22 Golf Shirts, T-Shirts & Sweat Shirts for Sale Golf Shirts, T-Shirts and Sweat Shirts for Sale Golf shirts — $20.00 plus $3 shipping (White Only) T-Shirts — $10.00 plus $3 shipping (White Only) Sweat Shirts — $20 plus $5 shipping (Lt. Gray) Shipping costs for 2 is $3.00 Shipping costs above 2 is $5.00 All sizes are available. Order from or contact: Sunshine State Chapter, KWVA P.O. Box 5298 Largo, FL 33779-5298 Telephone: 727-582-9353 Page 64 <strong>The</strong> <strong>Graybeards</strong>
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