A Soldier's Story: Intimate Artifacts of World War II

Clara's LetterA Soldier's Story start pageSidney's Letter, October 13, 1942

Fighter First

Fighter First
Click for enlargement

This image is taken from Combat First Aid: How to Save Life in Battle, one of the many manuals issued to servicemen.

Transcription

YOU ARE A FIGHTER FIRST

There's one thing you've got to Know—Remember—And Never Forget.

You are a fighter first.

Your business in this war is to kill the other guy before he kills you. The only soft spot on a battlefield is the belly that a bullet or shrapnel hits.

If you have a job to do—do it—stop for nothing. Your own brother can drop to the ground next to you—your best friend—but you go on fighting. If you stop you'll be doing nobody a favor except the enemy. If you stop to give help, you become a stationary target for enemy fire, and you take away your own help from the others who are fighting hard.

You give First Aid when your main job is done or when you're out of the action. The Medical Corps men will surely get the wounded if you take care of the enemy.

 
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