Milton Simpson Writes Interesting Letter
Dear Folks,
Well, here it is Saturday again and we have finished our third week of training. One can notice that it is getting tougher as it continues. But nevertheless we are becoming more hardened. It all goes with Army life, I guess. It really isn’t so bad. In fact, it really could be much worse. You hear fellows beefing everyday about some little inconvenient thing that they probably didn’t ever have at home. The Army isn’t all glamor (sic) as some of the motion pictures create it. We have had days and bad conditions to work and frill under. I know that it isn’t quite as it would be if we were to operate the service, but we also probably wouldn’t have such an effective army either. We will do one thing that seems as if it is miles from what should be taught in the army. Another day or so we do something else, it also seems very irregular to the Army ways. Then we do something else. Then is when we find that all we had done comes to our advantage. It is a connection of many ways used to make the Army life much easier for its service men. Our physical drill also coincides with many of our protection tactics and bayonet strokes.
We are learning every day. Things that seem insignificant, but which are very significant in the sense of the word.
We have seen our second film in a series of films showing what we are fighting for and against.
We have real fun down here amongst ourselves. Of course, we miss home, but so does many others who will never see home until all of this is over. We are the ones who are going to bring them home.
Next week we go out on P.R.I., which means Preliminary Rifle Instructions.
I got your letter today. The five dollars always comes in handy.
I will soon have my picture up to you. Tomorrow I will finish my role of films and then I will have them developed as soon as possible.
Some of the fellows are going to have some extra drill. I notice that I am not on the list as yet.
I got a letter from Uncle Jim and Aunt Virginia today. Letters are what one always looks for at all times. One can usually find time to read them. You can always read them in chow line.
We are having a full inspection Monday morning, rifles, mess kits, appearance foot lockers and shelves. We will have all of tomorrow to get ready for it and we really will be busy.
Also we get paid Tuesday and that is one of those things that comes in handy. We never are to busy to keep from spending money.
Well I must close now.
Your Service Son
Source: The Terril Record, Terril, Iowa, Thursday, March 16, 1944, Page 5
News of East Milford Vicinity
Pvt. Milton Simpson is home from Camp Blanding, Florida, for a 15-day furlough. He is to report to Ft. Mead, Md.
Source: The Milford Mail, Milford, Iowa, Thursday, June 15, 1944, Page 3
Report Two Men Missing,
Action French Theatre
Two Dickinson county youths were reported missing by the war department within the week. J. A. Berning was notified Wednesday afternoon that his son, Arthur, 31, is missing in action in France as of Sept. 25. Elmer Simpson, who lives between here and Terril, has been notified that his son, Pvt. Milton Simpson, is missing in action in France Sept. 15.
There are no details known here about the Simpson youth. He was reported as missing as of Sept. 15.
Source: The Milford Mail, Milford, Iowa, Thursday, October 12, 1944, Page 1
Terril Youth Killed in Action Sept. 15
Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Simpson of Terril received word Oct. 26 that their son, Milton, had been killed in action Sept. 15 in France. He was serving in the front line infantry and had previously been reported missing in action.
Source: The Milford Mail, Milford, Iowa, Thursday, November 02, 1944, Page 1
Memorial Services Sunday at Terril
For Pvt. Milton Simpson
Memorial services for Pvt. Milton Simpson of Terril, who was killed in action in France Sept. 15, 1944, will be held Sunday afternoon at 2:30 at the Methodist church in Terril. The services will be in charge of the Rev. Harvey Nelson, pastor of the church.
Milton, a son of Mr. and Mrs. Elmer Simpson, living west of Terril, was 20 years and three days old at the time he was killed in battle. He was born in Emmett county and had always lived on a farm in the vicinity of Terril until he was inducted into the service Jan. 23, 1944. He attended Terril schools and graduated with the class of 1942. Milton was popular with his associates and well-liked by all who knew him.
His parents received a notice from the U. S. government Oct. 9, 1944, that Milton was missing in action and on Oct. 26 received the notice that he had been killed in action on Sept. 15, 1944, just three days after his 20th birthday.
The last letter to his parents was written on his birthday and he wrote that he was very happy that he did not have to be in combat on that date. He was an anti-tank grenadier with the 29th division.
After Milton’s induction he was sent to Camp Blanding, Fla., where he received 17 weeks of training and then was sent to England, where he landed July 22, 1944, and was in combat in France on August 6. Thus another Dickinson county youth has made the supreme sacrifice for his country that we might live in a free country with the many privileges freedom brings to everyone. Mr. and Mrs. Simpson have one other son, Merle, who resides near Terril.
Source: The Milford Mail, Milford, Iowa, Thursday, November 09, 1944, Page 1
News of East Milford Vicinity
Those from this community who attended the memorial services for Milton Simpson Sunday at Terrill (sic) were Mr. and Mrs. Erie Taylor, Mr. and Mrs. Frank McCoy, Mr. and Mrs. John Johnson and Mr. and Mrs. Chester Blunt.
Source: The Milford Mail, Milford,, Iowa, Thursday, November 16, 1944, Page 3
Milton D. Simpson Awarded Purple Heart Posthumously
Mrs. Elmer Simpson has received word that her son, Pfc. Milton Simpson, has been awarded posthumously the Purple Heart award. Pfc. Simpson was killed in action in France Sept. 15, 1944.
The Secretary of War, Washington
November 20, 1944
My Dear Mr. Simpson,
At the request of the President, I write to inform you that the Purple Heart has been awarded posthumously to your son, Private First Class Milton D. Simpson, Infantry, who sacrificed his life in defense of his country.
Little that we can do or say will console you for the death of your loved one. We profoundly appreciate the greatness of your loss, for in a very real sense the loss suffered by any of us in this battle for our country, is a loss shared by all of us. When the medal, which you will shortly receive, reaches you, I want you to know that with it goes my sincerest sympathy, and the hope that time and the victory of our cause will finally lighten the burden of your grief.
Sincerely yours,
Henry L. Stimson
Source: The Terril Record, Terril, Iowa, Thursday, December 07, 1944, Page 1
Pvt. Milton D. Simpson served in World War II with the U.S. Army 175th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division and was MIA/KIA and awarded the Purple Heart. He is buried in Brittany American Cemetery, Montjoie Saint Martin, France.
Source: ancestry.com
