A site user named J. Pierman sent this in. I always feel a bit creepy reading someone else’s mail - especially a letter as personal this one - but its power is intense, even though it’s over 60 years old. The letter writer is Richard Kersting.
My cousin, 2nd Lt. Richard A. Kersting, serving with the U.S. Army’s 246th Engineer Combat Battalion in France, wrote the following letter to his mother, my Great-Aunt Mary Kersting on July 17, 1944.
On July 26, 1944, Richard Kersting was killed in action. Mary Kersting received this letter after she was notified of her son’s death.
Awarded the Purple Heart and Distinguished Service Cross, Richard A. Kersting is buried in the Normandy American Cemetery at Colleville-sur-Mer, France.
July 17, 1944
Have been very busy ever since June 3 but I’m well and in fine shape – probably as good physical condition as I’ve ever been. We have had some tough times and pretty rugged fighting and work over here. France stinks of dead cattle and dead men. Haven’t seen many French people as they hide out until we get past. One kid of 14 saved me by tipping me off where some Krauties were hiding. The hedgerows and fields – and houses in Normandy are bad. It’s sneaky fighting and it’s either you or the other guy and plenty quick. So far I’ve cut down a few and captured others. They are mean animals and I hate them. I was pretty nervous and scared at first, but now we all have that fatalistic attitude that if it comes, it’s coming and no one can do anything about it.
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