5th Ranger Battalion KIA PHM and letters grouping

August 8, 20241 yr

#1

Seeing as yesterday was Nationa Purple Heart day I am sharing this group for the first time since it came from an estate picker in Vermont. Due to the volume of letters, I will not be posting scans of every single letter, but I will share some for reference and all letters have been transcribed below.

Hubert Henry Racette was born to Oscar Racette and Blanche Bonhomme on March 18th, 1922 in Detroit Michigan, the last of 3 siblings. His parents both being French Canadian, Hubert grew up learning to speak in both English and French(a skill that would end up being a tool during his military service). After a short stint in Michigan, his family moved to Franklin Vermont. As a teen and young adult, Hubert was very restless, only completing one year of high school and never spending more than a year or two with a single employer as he quickly got bored and was always seeking some new adventure. Thus, on July 1st, 1942, just several months following the attacks on Pearl Harbor, Hubert Racette enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 20. After completing his basic training, PFC Racette was given orders to join G Company, 2nd Battalion, 120th Infantry, also known as the “Stouthearts”, belonging to the 30th Infantry Division or “Old Hickory”. Racette joined his new unit with whom he completed training at Camp Blanding in October 1942 near Gainesville, Florida. The following is taken from the 120th Infantry regiment’s official history: “Blanding was the cradle of the highly efficient unit which distinguished itself consistently during its days of train-ing, and was later to prove itself magnihcent in com-bat. Atter seven months of rigid training, emphasizing particularly marksmanship and physical fitness, the Regiment moved to a tent city on the outskirts of Camp Forrest, Tennessee, and for three months underwent 30th Division maneuvers, closely followed in September, 1943, by Second Army maneuvers.

In the latter, where the 30th maneuvered with and against the 94th and the 98th Infantry Divisions and the 12th Armored Division, the 120th Regiment established a remarkably outstanding record. One battalion marched thirty-six miles in pouring rain and maintained contact with the "enemy" throughout that night, while on the same day the other two battalions marched thirty miles and waged mock battle, all with a maximum of coordination. In November 1943, following the completion of maneuvers, the 30th Division moved to Camp Atter-bury, Indiana, where for four months the men of the Regiment trained in preparation for overseas move-ment. Then, with complete equipment and in full strength, the 120th moved to the staging area, Camp Myles Standish, Mass., where for a week the men were given final processing. On the 12th of February, the Regiment sailed from Boston on the SS Argentina, headed for England and for a long, hazardous trip through Europe which was to last eighteen eventful months. Carrying all the units which comprised the 120th Regimental Combat leam, including the 230th Field Artillery Battalion, Company "C" of the 105th Engineer Battalion, and Company "C" of the 105th Medical Battalion, the ship was part of one of the largest convoys in history.

March 3rd, 1944

Dearest mom and dad,

I finally got a letter from you. I was worried at first but since I received I’m ok now. Mom you acted as though you and dad were quite worried. You haven’t got to be for I’m ok and quite safe. So mom don’t worry about me. You got other things to worry about besides worrying about me. I’ve always done pretty good any where I’ve been. So just think that I’m still back there and having a grand time which I am. Wherever I go I have fun you know that. Mom you said something about sending money well don’t send anymore for I would have to change it and ll and anyway I’m sending you $25 so why should I ask for money. Mom I want you to put that away and by the time I get back I’ll have enough to start in what I have planned. Will you do that for me mom? I trust that you will. Well mom I have to bring this to a close. The end is getting nearer. I’ll sign off until next time. Love and kisses.

Your son,

Herb.

April 18th, 1944 V-Mail

Dear Mom and Dad,

I got a letter from you yesterday and was awfully glad to hear from you. Mom I can’t figure it out why you’re not getting any mail from me. Mom I’ve written to you all

Let every fourth day and you haven’t gotten any mail from me. How are dad and you coming along? I hope you are both fine and dandy. It must be quite warm in the trailer and in the place you have the trailer you don’t get much wind. It would do both of you good if you took a vacation.

I can’t figure it out why you haven’t gotten any mail from Barb. On her last letter she wrote me she said she just got through writing a letter to you. Have they changed your address or something? Well mom have you gotten the money the gov has sent you from my pay. You should have that by now. I’ll close now. Hoping to hear from you very soon. Signing with all my love to you both.

Your son,

Herb.

April 28th, 1944

Dear mom and dad,

How is everything. I hope you are both doing fine. As for me I am okay. Mom I got the packages from you today and I was very glad to receive them. I was starved for candy and the boys too so now we are getting quite full and sick of candy for today but another day is coming and I’ll want to have some more. So don’t get discouraged about sending stuff for I can always eat it and have the boys help me. For the past five days or so the boys have been getting packages from home and their wives so you can see we never get hungry for a while.

Mom have you heard from Barb? Last I got a letter from her yesterday but she never mentioned anything about you writing or her answer.

How is dad making out, has he started to work yet or is he still layed off? He must be having quite a time. How does the ???? Look now? I bet it looks swell. I’ll close now. Giving you my love and kisses.

Your son,

Herb.

May 1944 V-Mail

Dear mom and dad,

Another day is about over and nothing accomplished. But it is one day closer to victory. I’ll be glad when the day comes so I can be back home with all of you. So I can worry you more than I do now. I wish I were back there so I could do the things I used to even if some of them were wrong.

Mom you should have given Millie my address so she could write. I would like to hear from her and tease her on so I could make her feel sorry for some of the things she done. I would have liked to see her just to see how she looked. I think when I get back to civilian life I’m going to go see all the flames I used to know. Just for old acquaintances. Well enough of that. Have you heard from John? I haven’t. As a matter of fact I lost his address. Is he still in the same place? Well I’ll close now. Hoping to hear from you in the near future. Love and kisses.

Your son,

Herb

June 3rd, 1944 V-Mail

Dearest mom and dad,

I got a sweet letter from you today and was very glad to receive it. I hope this letter will find you both in the very best of health. As for me I am swell but wish I was home with you.

Mom if you send me any packages don’t forget to send me mail stamps. I really need them so I can write more letters. The trouble is with Vmails I don’t anymore than start them then I have to stop. So please mom send me the stamps. Oh mom is your new address the same G 20. Send me a ????? I could use them.

Mom you have no idea how much the army travels so I doubt if you travel as much as we do. And tell Jane it’s not so exciting as she thinks. I would much rather be home doing my own ?????. Your right mom after this war I’m going to be awfully quiet. I’ll stay home an awful lot. Well mom I’ll close now. Hoping to hear from you soon. Closing with love and kisses.

Your son,

Herb.

In twelve days the troops were debarking at Gou-rock, near Glasgow, Scotland, which became the established point for troop arrival in the European Theater of Operations until many months after the invasion of the Continent. Trains carried the units of the Division the length of England to the southern coasts where, at the seaside resort of Bognor Regis, between Portsmouth and Southampton, the 120th Infantry established its headquarters. Then followed more training, including one week of tank-infantry problems near Warminster. As the gigantic D-Day approached, however, orders came that all coastal towns must be evacuated to allow room for supplies and troops about to assail the enemy in Normandy. On the 3d of April the Regiment moved north to the vicinity of Woodland Park, Buckinghamshire, where the battalions were assigned to separate areas. Both Field Marshal Bernard Montgomery and General Dwight Eisenhower inspected the Regiment during its training there. On the Ist of June, 1944, speaking to his men about what lay ahead for the 120th, Colonel Birks said:

"This is a great athletic contest. We are supposed to be the greatest athletes in the world. We must live up to our reputation... With all our minor troubles we have been successful in everything that we have done. We are the outstanding, and most trusted, infantry regiment in this Division ... For the future, I ask God to bless you. that you come through the ordeal ahead, safe and sound, with your head high in the pride of victory. For myself, I don't ask God for any special favor to protect me from death or wounds, for instance, ... but I do ask Him, with my whole heart and soul, to give me the moral, physical and mental courage and strength to do my duty to the utmost."

NORMANDY

The passage to France was in each instance made in convoys of considerable size. Like most military operations of the enormity of the D-Day invasion, there was, for the doughboy, a period of high con-fusion. The boats were misguided during the passage across the English Channel, and it was not until after they had landed that the troops found in some instances that they were at the wrong beaches and had to embark again and be landed a second time. The appointed spot was Omaha Beach, located on the coast of northern France approximately a mile to the east of Pointe et Rez de la Percee. During the crossing, some boats drew close to a beach still being shelled, and some drifted from one point to another, so that a portion of the Kegiment stayed at sea as long as two days and had their first taste of combat when at night German planes strated their vessels. At this period the Germans were regular as clockwork about their night air operations; Gls passed on the warning with a wry smile: "Here comes Bed-Check Charlie”. Members of the 120th pushed their way from the beaches up the steep slopes into the rich but devastated Normandy country. They found the battle had left memorable and fresh marks. It was the first time the men had seen the real horror of war, and they were green and incredulous. Some sought to rationalize the stark fact of the vast quantity of American corpses with the remark,

"These Jerries are trying to

scare us putting wax dummies all over the place." The Regiment stopped in an area near the coast where waterproofing was removed from the vehicles. It then proceeded directly to the front”

June 18th, 1944 V-Mail

Dearest mom and dad,

I haven’t written to you for quite some time. They have been keeping me quite busy now and every day. Mom I have quite a surprise for both of you. at best it surprised me. Well here goes. I am now in France. The place is pretty nice. Some parts of it just like NY. I know you are probably worrying about me since I’ve told you that but you haven’t got to for I’m ok with nothing to fear.

Mom I hope both of you are in the best of health and everything is under control. Tell me is dad still working in the same place or has he moved?

I haven’t gotten a letter from you or Barb for quite some time mom. I hope she is alright. Have you heard from her? Ok mom if you write to her tell her I was asking for her and tell her I still love her very much. Well it’s getting near the end so I must quit. So until next time I remain your son with all my love and kisses,

Herb.

PFC Racette continued to fight across northern France with G Company, slowly progressing through small towns and villages, still consistently writing letters to his parents. He was named in a specific account of a patrol that occurred on June 24th, 1944.

“These men, on a combat patrol to secure prisonors for interrogation, entered an enemy strong point, and despite fire from several machine guns and hand grenades, rifles, etc, proceeded against superior forces to try to divide the enemy forces and surround and capture individuals. Lt. Tyler, despite injury to other patrol

Members, pressed on accompanied by s/Sgt Gossutt and Pvt Wingato to hand-grenade a house held by the enemy.

The enemy brought down mortar fire, sent up flares, constantly fired Machine

Guns, machine pistols, and rifles at the patrol, but they continued to attempt to complete mission. Finally forced to retire the patrol evacuated its six members safely. The patrol knocked out 1 enemy MG with an AT grenade, killed 2 enemy whom they attempted to examine for identification till driven off by MG fire, and probably killed or wounded several more in AT and hand-grenade bombardment of house.

This patrol, despite wounded, enemy fire, darkness, difficult terrain and gravest danger, made every effort to complete their mission.”

For his action during this patrol, PFC Racette was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, and was promoted to Corporal.

Here is a letter he wrote, dated the same day as this action:

June 24th, 1944

Dearest Mom and Dad,

I hope this letter finds you in the best of health for both of you. As for me I’m tops(?). I hope you and dad aren’t on the mend again. Why I say that is because I haven’t heard from you for quite some time ????? ???? What can be wrong. I got a letter from Barb and she tells me she hasn’t heard from you for almost two months. She is beginning to wonder what is wrong. You’ll write to her won’t you? She wants so much to hear from you. By the way have you two gone to N Jersey or are you still in Albany? Maybe that is why you’re not writing because you’re moving all the time. I hope you two would settle down some where.

Say mom I told you I was in France didn’t I? It’s nothing to get alarmed about but in case anything does happen to me notify Barb for me won’t you? You two are the only ones that will know about it. The bottom of the page is drawing near now so until next time I remain your loving son. Love and kisses.

Herb.

And here are some others that led up to his wounding in August 1944.

June 26th, 1944

Dearest mom and dad,

I got two wonderful sweet letters from you yesterday. Mom I was very glad to get them. The more mail I get from you the better I like it. Mom if anytime you don’t get mail from me don’t be alarmed for I just haven’t the time to write. I’ll write as often as possible mom.

Say mom you are moving around more than I and that has to be quite a bit for I move around a lot. That would be alright if Cecile were with both of you. It would make you both feel better. She hasn’t written to me for quite some time. On her last letter she said something about selling the Ford. Well sure if she wants to she can sell it but it’s just as you said when the boys come out of the army they are going to get jobs so I had better stay with it and let that be my first ????? To a soldier for I want to start one of those things. Well mom I’ll close now. Hoping to hear from you soon. All my love and kisses.

Your son,

Herb

June 30th, 1944

Dearest mom and dad,

Another letter to let you know I am okay and still waiting to get back home. I hope you are both in the best of health and not working too hard. Mom I think dad is trying to become a soldier or a sailor man the way he always jumps from one job to another. Still it’s better that you follow instead of staying in one place and letting him go out alone. It isn’t so good being away from each other. I wish I could be back home with you and dad. I’m sure I would enjoy teaching much more. Well enough of that I don’t want to myself more homesick than I am.

Have you heard from Barb lately? I got a letter from her the other day and she said she hasn’t gotten any letters from you for quite some time. You haven’t forgotten your daughter in law so soon have you? You hadn’t better. Mom she’s awfully sweet. Mom if she does have quite a temper. Mom will you write to aunt ???? And June for my address so she can drop me a line and I will answer it. As it is I have no address of hers so I can’t write. If you want you can send me her address and I will try to drop her a line. So until next time I’ll remain your son. All my love and kisses.

Herb.

July 3rd, 1944

Dear mom and dad,

Just a few lines to let you know I’m ok and hope you two are the same. I got a package from Cecile the other day but none from you as yet. If you have one in the mail I may get it soon. It takes quite a while for packages to come up here

The weather is very cloudy and it rains very often. Maybe there is a big ???? Cause quite a bit of it. I’ll be glad when I can get back to hear the rumble of cars and the smell of gas. That is where I belong, not way up here. Where we can’t get out. But we manage to have fun. The front isn’t as bad as we expected. The only thing we have done so far is ???? Maybe you would get a kick out of the fellows around here. They try to ask for something and well the French don’t know what they say. I get quite a kick out of them.

Usually when they want anything they will come after either me or another fellow to talk to them. There are only two of us that can talk it pretty good. When I get back home maybe I’ll only talk French and broken English. That would be quite a surprise wouldn’t it. A lot of people like to visit foreign countries but I’ll take USA in preference to all of them.

How is dad making out with his new job? Cecile said you have moved to N Jersey. Is it trouble? I wish I were there with you. You’re getting nearer and nearer to Detroit. Maybe by the time I get back you will be there. I hope so. I think that will be my home after this mess is over. I’ll close now. Hoping to hear from you soon. Love and kisses.

Your son,

Herb

July 5th, 1944

Dear Mom and Dad,

I received a wonderful letter from you last night and I have time to answer it today so here I am. With your letter I got one from Barb and Cecile and a package from Cecile. She sent me just what I ordered. She told me she had registered the ford and she was going to get a vacation. She was talking about taking it with you and dad. I hope she does. I imagine by the time you get this letter she will already have her vacation. It would have been a good idea if I could have been home for another furlough in June. Remember when I was home last year I wish I could have stayed in US so I could’ve been there this year. But as it is I couldn’t. When I do get back I’ll make up for lost time. I may have a lot to make up but I’ll have the rest of my life. Mom this won’t be a very long letter for I just wrote you one last night and I don’t want to write the same thing tonight. I think I told you I received your box of candy mom. Thanks a million. It tasted very good. I passed it around the squad and when I came to get some I just about tasted it. Still I want to thank you and you can send another if you want. Mom this letter may be awfully dirty but I can’t help it. It seems that every time I start writing it starts to rain. The weather is awful. Right now I am under a rain coat trying to finish.

Mail came in mom but I got no mail from no one. Maybe I will get one tomorrow I hope. This page is coming to an end and so I’ll close. I know it isn’t very long but will try to write more later. Love and Kisses,

Your son,

Herb.

August 2nd, 1944

Dearest Mom and Dad,

Just a few lines to let you know I’m in the best of health and hope you are both the same. How is everything in Sidney? Is dad still working at his old job and how is he getting along? Mom I haven’t got much to write about. Or should I say I can’t think of anything to write about. Only that I’m fine and don’t worry about me. I haven’t gotten any mail from you for a few days. I would appreciate if I could get a letter every four or five days. But then comes the task of writing them and I know that would be quite hard for you to write that often for there isn’t that much excitement going on over there. But write as often as you can will you mom? I haven’t heard from Cecile or Jane for quite some time. I’m beginning to wonder if they haven’t forgotten me. I hope not. I get letters quite frequently from Barb. She writes me quite often. In her last letter she said you owed her a letter. Mom I hope you won’t be too surprised to hear I made sergeant or rather buck sergeant. It was more of a surprise to me than it will be to you. I’ll tell you more about it on my next letter when I write. I’ll close. Giving you all my love and kisses.

Your son,

Herb.

Corporal Racette continued his fight with G company well into France before he was wounded in the leg by shrapnel sometime around August 12th. He was shipped back to England to recover and was awarded his first Purple Heart.

October 25th, 1944 Stamped V-mail

Dear Mom and Dad,

Just a short line to let you know everything is still fine with me and hope you and dad are in best of health. I haven’t much to write about but I’ll do my best. Today is a pretty full day. I am now on my wash back to the front to my old outfit. I am trying to get in the paratroops but my luck is quite poor. I hope in time I can get in. You know what they are. It is the same thing “Lenney”(?) from Detroit is in. They say it is quite exciting in them so I want to find out. I hope I can get in. Mom you probably are still writing to the hospital I was in. Well I want you to stop until I write to you and tell you my new address. Right now I don’t know but I’ll know it in a short while. I think I would have you write to my old address but I don’t know how long it will be before I am with them. So just don’t write until I tell you to. I’ll close now. With all my love and kisses,

Your son,

Herb

November 27th, 1944

Dear Mom and Dad,

Again it has been quite some time since I have written. So I will make another effort to write again. Mom I didn’t get any mail from you for a few days. They must be holding it up for I know you are writing as often as possible. I got a letter from Cecile the other day and she was quite interested in the surprise I was going to bring home. Well I said it was a surprise. I’m sure if you know your son it won’t be a surprise. Then she sent me her picture and a couple of other girls. It was a nice picture. Mom if I can get a chance I’ll get my pictures taken and send it to you. I should have done that a long time ago but I never did. Mom I’m awfully sorry. I hope you aren’t too mad about it. Maybe come day I’ll wake up to the fact that both of you are worrying about what I am doing. Mom I’ll be glad when this all will end so all of us can be together again. I miss both of you very much. How is everything with you and dad? I hope you are both well. The last letters I got from you, dad was having quite a bad time with a cold. How is he now? I hope he is okay. You never tell me how you are. Why not? I hope you are fortunate enough to be well always. It I know how you are, you would never tell me. Remember I learned to be that way never telling anyone any troubles just going around and keeping things to myself. How in the trailer mom. I wish I were there to be with both of you. It would be heaven to be able to go out with both of you. Remember when I came home and I wanted both of you to go with me but you never wanted to. Well when I come home this time I’m going to expect both of you to go. If my plans turn out right. Well mom I think I will stop here and write when I get some mail from you. They are picking up the mail now. Will all my love and kisses.

Your son,

Herb.

December 20th, 1944

Dearest Mom and Dad,

Just a few lines to let you know I am in the best of health and hope you are both feeling the same. Mom I can remember just one year from today I was on my way home. Yes, mom I was coming home on furlough remember when I walked in that morning and said I was home for fifteen days. Then I didn’t stay home because I just had to go with that sweet little girl named Barbara. Now I think I wasted the days I didn’t stay home the way I should have. Mom I am learning day by day. I’ll have/know all the angles/angels I hope. I’ll be glad when this is over so I can go back to all of you and live a nice quiet life with no one to bother me. Mom awhile I was in the hospital I got pictures taken with the surprise I told you about and I am sending it to you. I hope you will like it. It isn’t much of a picture but it will do until I can either have a good one taken or I can come home myself. I’m in hopes I can come home my self instead of sending you the picture. I will be glad (?) when they bring this dismal thing to an end. I’m sure I have had enough of the war got a long while and plenty of the other fellows feel the same. But Hitler doesn’t feel the way we do. He had ought to quit. U can see myself coming home now and doing all the things I should have done awhile I was home before. The kick of it is a person doesn’t know what he is missing until he loses it. And that is the way of war. Now you will probable receive a box from Europe which I sent. It is a German flag and it is quite cute. Mom I want you to put it in a box and keep it for me. When I get home I will tell you the story of it. It isn’t very much but it’s a story. That’s is the only Xmas present I can send you for the time being. Mom I may send more German stuff later on. I have a few trinkets now I may send later on. When I get home my first drink(?) will hang out the German flag for a celebration. Ok. Mom I haven’t gotten any packages from anyone lately and I am getting hungry. Jane and Cecile said they sent me packages but I haven’t received any of them yet. I hope I get them soon. I haven’t tasted American food for quite some time. You know mom I wouldn’t want you to forget what American food tastes like for some day I hope to be eating it again. I was glad to hear John got out of the Marines and back home with his wife. Maybe he can make a go of it now. I wrote to him as soon as he got his letter. It was quiet. Surprise to hear from the big lug. He was the last person I ever expected to hear from. But I was awfully glad to receive one from him. I just hope he keeps writing. The more mail I get the better I like it. Mom this ???? Is awfully nice and she writes almost every day to me. She has a brother in combat over here somewhere. I wish you could meet her soon. When this was is over you will get the chance I hope. I hope it ends soon so I can bring her home to all of you soon. It is kick/sick(?) when you have to get in a war to meet the one you have been wanting to meet for so long. A person that likes the same things I do and wants to do the same things. Mom when you write to John wish him the best of luck for me and have them say hello to the kiddos for me. I wish I could see them. I’ll bet they are getting cuter every day. Oh mom I got a letter from Aunt ???? The other day. What a surprise that was. I’ll try to answer it soon. I’ll close now, wish and hoping I can be with you next Xmas. All my love and kisses.

Your son always,

Herb.

December 29th, 1944

Dear mom and dad,

Hi mom I just got a letter from you and I am going to answer it right away. Mom I haven’t written to you for quite some time and I have figure it is about time I write and let you know how I am. As for me I am ok. I couldn’t feel better. Mom this won’t be a very long letter.

I went to church on Xmas day and almost missed my seasons dinner. We had turkey and the trimmings with it. I wish I could’ve been home for Xmas. The way I was last year. It was heaven being home the way I was. I hope that next year we can all be together having the most wonderful time we can ever have. Mom I done ok though. Me and one of the boys went around from home to home and wishing them a merry Christmas. Then I used the French I knew so I was ok. And to top it off every place we went to we got drinks. It was a lot of fun. By the time I get back home I will be able to talk French very fluently with you and dad. I’ll be glad when that day does come. Mom did you get the letter I sent to you with the picture of Jerry and I? How do you like it? Isn’t she sweet looking in that picture? Mom she is just as sweet as that picture shows her. You said you haven’t heard from her as yet. Well maybe you won’t for she is kept quite busy with her patients here in the hospital. But I’m sure she will write eventually.

Mom I had a picture of myself but I sent it to Cecile for she had been asking me for one so I had to send you the one of Jerry and I to show her off but if you want the one Cecile has ask her for it. I’m sure she will give it to you. It is possible I will send you other pictures if I can have them taken.

Mom you said something about a Xmas package. With a surprise. Well mom the only package I’ve gotten from you so far was the billfold. Is that the surprise? I thank you very much and wish I could give you and dad something but it is impossible until I get back. When I get back I will make up for it.

Right now mom I will stop until I have a little more time to write. With all my love and kisses.

Your son,

Herb

December 30th, 1944 stamped V-Mail

Dear mom and dad,

I received a few more letters from you the other day and was very happy to receive them. I’ve been getting quite a few letters lately. Since I’ve gotten hurt, mail has been coming in frequently. I was quite surprised to get a letter the other day from Grandma with uncle Phil. That is the one I never expected to get from. I imagine why she got to write to me is because someone found out I got wounded and put it in the papers. Pretty good. Thats is one thing I never expected anyone to do and am told of that they put in that I was awarded the bronze star. Some one is keeping tabs on me I guess. And since then I have been getting mail from all my old school mates. Do you remember the “Guenellos”(?). Well I got a letter from Alice. She is in the WACS. The more mail I get the better I like it. Mom I’ll have to close now, hoping you are all ok and hoping I can be with you soon. With all my love and kisses.

Your son,

Herb.

While recovering he had the opportunity to apply to rejoin his unit or apply to join the crack 5th Ranger Battalion. Due to his already established experience in combat, he was accepted and joined F Company, 5th Ranger battalion in mid-January 1945. By mid-January 1945, replacements were trained under the tutelage of veteran Rangers amidst sub-freezing temperatures and snow. Allowed to recruit fifty volunteers from rear echelon troops of the Twelfth Army Group, General Bradley said “It [the 5th Rangers] was almost trampled in the rush of a thousand applicants.”After selecting the best candidates, the 5th Ranger Battalion strength was still only 398 men and officers, still some 108 soldiers below its authorized strength. But, the unit in its depleted condition was deemed combat ready.

January 2nd, 1945

Dear Mom and Dad,

Another dreary and dull day is slowly passing by. I hope there aren’t too many more days until this is all over so we can all be together back home. I’m just about fed up with the whole thing. I never stayed in a place as long as I have in the army. Mom it is going on the third year now. How time does fly. It’s about time for this to end so I can go back to civil life again. If it keeps on I’ll have to ???? All over again. I’ll be so accustomed to army life. Some day it will be all over I hope. I hope it is soon. Mom I haven’t gotten any mail now for a few days. From no one. I’m beginning to wonder what is wrong. Maybe I will get mail from you tonight. I’m going to keep my fingers crossed. Hoping that I will get something to read. They are calling names out for mail now so let’s hope I get a letter.

Well mom no mail again. It looks quite mom no mail from you. But I got one from Barb! She tells me after ten weeks she finally got a letter from me. Well I guess I have neglected in writing to her but I think I will continue. I hate to just let her down like that. Mom you see I am undecided which one I want. Mom I can’t make up my mind. I think I will write to Barb and will discuss the matter more thoroughly after the war is over. It’s bad enough I’m in one war without getting in another one.

Mom how are you and dad getting along with the trailer. Is it just as warm as it used to be? I wish I could be there to try it out with both of you. Mom did you get the small box I sent home? Keep it until I get back and I will explain what everything is. They aren’t much but they’re good souvenirs to look back on.

Mom there isn’t much for me to write about. Maybe if I would get a letter or some thing I would be able to write more. Mom I haven’t even gotten any packages since I left the hospital. Oh before I forget mom would you send me a shaving kit with a tooth brush and comb? I lost mine quite some time ago and I’ve got to borrow any time I want anything. So do that now for me. ???? In five minutes so with all my love and millions of kisses

Your son,

Herb

No Date

Dear mom and dad,

Just a few lines to let you know I am still ok and thinking of you always. I hope you are both in the best of health and not worrying. Mom how cold is it in NY? Up here it is gradually getting colder but it isn’t too bad.

Mom I haven’t gotten any mail from you for the past week. I am beginning to wonder what is wrong. I hope you are still able to write. I haven’t heard from anyone for the past week. Maybe there is a little mixup in the mail. Mom I haven’t received any packages from you or anyone has sent me. Will you send me another package? I want to know what the American food tastes like. Mom I am still at the same place and in ???? As you thought. Will close with love and kisses ???????

Your son,

Herb

January 13th, 1945

Dear Mom and Dad,

It has been quite some time since I have heard from you or anyone else. I don’t quite know what the meaning of it is but I hope someone does. I just hope that all of you are writing but they are holding it back. I hope. Mom I stopped for a while but am continuing again.

Mom I don’t know what to write about with no mail from anyone. I girl I get mail from someone tonight. Or I think I will discontinue writing until I can get mail from you. Then if I do that you start wondering what is wrong why I’m not writing but while I have the chance I’m doing to write as much as I can. But right now I just can’t write because I am telling or asking you the same questions over and over again. I’ll try my best to write as long a letter as possible.

Mom how are you coming along. I hope you aren’t sick or dad either. I wish I could be back there instead of writing. I’m getting tired of self life. It is beginning to get me down but just think some of these fellows have been in for quite some time even(?) to ten years. I’m glad I haven’t had that length of time in the army.

Say mom, while I am thinking of it I want you to try and send me a box of cigars about every other week if you possibly can. Once in a while I crave them and I enjoy one while resting. I haven’t got to send you a letter every time you want to send anything. Just write a short letter yourself making believe it is mine and bring it to the Post Office. And mom if you will try to send me a ration of ????? But put it in another bottle(?) do they won’t know it is ????? And try to smuggle it in.

Mom I think I’ll close now. Hoping I will get something soon a letter or a package. Anything. All my love and millions of kisses to both of you.

Your son,

Herb.

January 13th, 1945

Dear Jane and Paul,

It has been quite some time since I have written or heard from you. I hope you won’t be too angry at me for not writing. I would have if I would have had more time but I don’t get much of that in the army. Maybe in the near future I will get more. I hope.

How are you and Paul getting along in your new home and how is the cooling(?) getting on? Hope you haven’t any thing lately.

I haven’t received any of the packages you have sent me as yet.

Tell me what address you sent them to, was it the address I have at the present time or one of my old addresses. If you sent them to my old address I won’t get them u don’t think but I hope they come to me in the near future. I got a letter from Cecile the other day and it was addressed from home. Did you write back? I wish I could have been home to greet all of you. I’ll be glad when this thing is over so we will be able to ?????? Our ????? To ????? Again. Do you realize this is the longest I’ve ever stayed in one thing? Remember back home I never wanted to stay in one place over three months and here I’ve been in the army for almost two years and a half. What a deal. It’s too bad the army makes for ????? ???? If they didn’t they wouldn’t have very many to stay in.

????? Is your next package before you send it and Cecile what I told here to tell you. I hope you will send it on its way. I really would appreciate it for it is quite cold around here and it would help out.

Jane is Paul still working in the same place and how about you? Say did you ever get that greeting card I sent you, how did you like it?

Well now I think I’ll close now. Hoping I will get mail soon since I haven’t received mail from anyone lately. What is wrong?

Signing off with love and hopping I can be seeing you in the very near future I hope.

Your brother,

Herb.

January 17th, 1945

Wednesday

Dearest Mom and Dad,

Here’s hoping you are both in the best of health and still living in your trailer. How is the little trailer? Is it still just as warm as it was? I wish I were back with you both. Mom did you get the pictures I sent you and if you did how did you like it and how did you like the one picture of the person beside me? Do you think she is cute? I think she is. Mom if you meant(met) her you would know what I mean. She is every thing I told you and more too. I hope that some day you will be able to meet her in the very near future.

Mom there isn’t much for me to write about for I haven’t gotten any mail as yet. Maybe I will get one soon. I got a package from Jane and ???? The other day which they sent while I was in the hospital. It really made good time. This mail situation is quite bad. I wish I would get a letter soon. That is part of my moral(morale) builders. Mail! I’m sure everyone is writing but they are holding it back.

Mom for the first time in quite some time two weeks ago I got a letter from Barb and she said she wasn’t going to write me until she got a letter from me. She must be getting letters from me by now but I still haven’t gotten any mail from her. Say did she ever ??? ??? to you and dad for a while. If she didn’t she should have. Oh man I don’t know what I’m going to do after this war. It may be her or it may be someone else I don’t know. So mom if she hasn’t come up ask her to come and just forget about anyone else. And try to get her to come down for she is awfully nice mom. I have nothing against her mom. In fact I still think there is no one any nicer than she is. Maybe this other one with make me change my mind, but as long as I am in the army Barb is still tops to me. I’ll have plenty of time to make my mind up after I get back in civilian life. And again I may stay an old Batchelor. Who knows.

Well mom I will close this letter and hope I get mail from someone this evening. With love and kisses always,

Your son,

Herb.

January 22nd, 1945

Dearest Mom and Dad,

Just a few lines to let you know I am still in very good health and am hoping you are the same. Mom I haven’t much to write about so this will probably be one of my shortest letters I’ve ever written. I haven’t gotten any mail from you or anyone else but they told us there was a delay in our mail and we wouldn’t get any mail for a few days. So it ??? my thoughts a little.

I am writing you this letter while sipping on a cup of coffee I just got up a while ago and washed. Then I thought I would drop you a short line. I would enjoy sitting at your table having a cup of coffee and maybe a few toasts. Remember mom that was always what I had to eat in the morning. When I get back I will eat more than I need to. The army has taught me how to eat more in the morning and not as much after. Or say what the enemy had done to some of us. When we get out of this I can get back to civil life again and get accustomed to it very fast.

Mom is dad still working at the same place or has he changed jobs? I hope he isn’t ill or you either.

Say mom, approximately how much money have I got home. It can’t be very much but I want to know.

Mom I guess I’ll have to quit now got

I am out of what to write about. Do until next time I will close with my same kisses to you always. Hoping we can be together back home soon.

Your son,

Herb.

January 26th, 1945

Dear mom and dad,

Just a short line to let you know I am ok and am still waiting for mail from you and many other people. Time is getting quite hard when no mail is coming in. Mom I haven’t much to say or write about but I’ll try to make this letter as long and interesting as possible. We you getting much snow around NY now? Up here it is getting colder and there is snow on the ground but it isn’t bad.

Mom I’m going to stop for a while because chow or supper is going to be soon and I don’t want to miss that. This Army is making me awfully fat. When I get home you won’t know me. I weighed myself in the hospital and I weighed a little over 200. I got scared so I got off before I looked again. The time has come for chow.

Well mom it has been 2 days since I started this letter. Tonight I got a letter from you and was very happy to receive it. It was dated way back in December but it was a letter anyways. Mom did you send me anything besides the billfold on Xmas? If you have I haven’t gotten it not even anything to eat. Maybe my mail will be coming in regularly now I hope. Bis(?) is having quite some time with that buggey(?) isn’t she. And my last letter from John was awhile he was in the marines. But I hope he has a good time in St. A(?). I wish I were there. I could have plenty of him. Well mom I am back to a corporal that is one grade lower than a SGT. so I can send home the same amount. The more I have the merrier it will be when I get home. Mom about a furlough, I will get one eventually but at the present I went for changing outfits put me a little lower. But I thought it was worth it and if you knew you would say the same thing. As far as regretting joining this outfit I will never be sorry. For it is the best I could ever want to be in.

Mom the Englishmen aren’t bad. I like them in a way. Once you get to k ow them. Mom I am still in France. Honest I am I haven’t changed vicinities yet I don’t think I will for some time so don’t think like that. Mom it is quite late on the evening and I am quite tired so I’ll close with all my love and kisses.

Your son,

Herb

February 2nd, 1945

Dearest Mom and Dad,

Here it is the beginning of another day. Another long day. I wish this war was over so we could all be together soon. Maybe it will be over soon. I hope. I’m sort of tired of everything and so is plenty of others.

How are dad and you getting along in the trailer? I hope you are both well. As for me I couldn’t be any better. I am in the best of health. As for my leg where I got hurt, it’s just like new for it was nothing to get excited over. Mom I’m still as happy as ever. The only thing I and many other like myself want is a discharge so we can go back to the bright lights of the states and settle down. Imagine me getting married and having a little child playing around. Oh boy what a life but herb can’t see himself with a wife and kids. I think I’ll be an old Batchelor. There are so many girls that I don’t know which are to pick. So the thing for me to do is stay with mom and pop and hear pop tell me how nice it would be to have a home with all that. Well I can see it that way. It’s more fun at home. But then I change like the weather. Oh boy what a puzzle. Mom remember when you used to tell me to be careful and not jump into marriage? Well I haven’t yet. Your advice is the best yet.

I got a letter from Barb and Jane the other day. The one from Barb had a lovely picture in it and I mean lovely. Enough to make me want to be with her very much. And the one from Jane. Well she says that her and Paul are getting fatter with her cooking. Big deal. I wish I were there. I would eat them out of house and home. It sure will cost me plenty if I were ever to get married for I eat more than I’m worth or more than I’ll ever care(?).

Mom I am writing this at five thirty in the morning. My guard or relief went out at four thirty so I have to write until six thirty before I am off. So that is why I am writing so early.

Mom I haven’t much more to write about only that I haven’t gotten mail from you in five days but expect some in the near future. I hope. I’ll be glad when we will be able to talk to each other instead of writing for people can barely read my writing.

Well so much for this letter and hope I get mail soon. My love and kisses.

Your son,

Herb

February 5th, 1945

Dear Mom and Dad,

Last night was a lucky night for me, I got fine letters and was very glad to get them. There was one from you and a couple from Cecile. She sent quite a few pictures with them. They were of her and her girl friends. Mom did you get all the packages I sent home? You should have three of them by now(?). Just with junk or as they call it over here, souvenirs. They weren’t very much but I wanted them as a keepsake when I got back. I hope that is soon. Mom I’m almost forgetting what the states looks like. I hope that some day in the near future I can be home for good. Mom I miss all of you very much. I didn’t realize how much you meant to me until I left. Maybe when I get home now I will realize what a home is. Maybe if the Russians keep driving we may be able to go home soon. Well mom I’ll stop writing until classes are over. But until then I’ll remain your son always. Thinking of you, Herb.

Here I am again mom. It is quite a bit later in the evening. I laid down for a while and slept but can’t anymore. Mom tonight I got three letters, one from Jane and two from Barb. I didn’t get any from you or Cecile. I guess they will come tomorrow night I hope. Mom I hope you are okay and dad’s cold gets better soon. I have been lucky since I came back from the hospital, I haven’t been sick in any way. I hope I don’t. Colds are awfully easy to catch around here and I hope I don’t get any. We had quite a bit of snow but it is almost all gone now for it has been getting warmer and it rained quite a bit. When it rains it makes it quite hard for the boys ?? heart(?) so I hope we start getting good weather. Mom I don’t know about my sweet little girlfriend the ??? For I haven’t heard from her for quite some time now. I’m beginning to worry and wonder what is wrong. She could be moving to some other place or maybe the mail is being held from where she is. I hope the mail is being held. I hope nothing bad has happened to her. Mom I’ll admit she is very sweet and all that I said but I can’t seem to get Barb out of my mind. I am still writing to her and I guess I will until I get back for I’m quite sure Barb is the one I want. The other one is nice but I don’t know. What the heck I’ll have plenty of time to decide after I get back in the states. But as it is Barb is the best for me. I hope the war will be over soon. This year if possible. I’m fed up with it now and hope it will stop very soon. I’ll be glad when it is over so myself and many more like me can go back home to the life the have in mind. As for me I want to be home more than anything in the world. I want to be able to go back and live a very quiet life, maybe get married and maybe not. All I want to do is have this war end so I can get back. Well enough of that tonight mom I am very lonesome and want to be home more than ever. But who am I to be wanting all that. Mom Cecile sent me a picture or I think it was Cecile. She sent me pictures of you and dad which was taken in ????? I can remember when it was taken. Cecile took it just before I left for the army. I think it was on a Sunday. Remember I took one on the morgue steps and it was the best picture I had ever taken. I hope the trailer wasn’t too cold for both of you this winter. Dad is going to have to keep on the ball and do those things so you can stay warm. I wish I were there to help you out to put it up. It would be loads of fun working on a trailer. I hope if you get to it you will have a very nice trip. Mom tell me, remember when you invited Barb? Well did she ever come? If she didn’t, why? I want to know the reason. I hope she wasn’t offended in any way When I didn’t write to her for the period of time I did. But if you haven’t had her over mom try and have her come for I’m quite sure and ???? She will be in the family. I hope you haven’t changed her mind. I’m sure you wouldn’t! Mom thanks for the stamps and if it keeps up I’ll have close to doubling that amount if not more. At this rate they are keeping us over here.

Mom the time has come for me to close so with all my love and kisses,

Always your son,

Herb.

February 13th, 1945 V-Mail

Dear Jane and Paul,

I received your wonderful letter and was glad to get it. Sis I got a few of the packages you send to me and there are more on the way I hope. Thanks a lot. They came just in time all of us were starving but we got filled up good. Say the two fruit cakes you sent to me were wonderful. We enjoyed them very much and could eat more of them if it would be possible of getting them. Thomas and cecile sent packages ???????? But I expect them any day now. Tell Cecile I didn’t get her packages and will write and let her know. But I got the pictures she sent me and they were pretty nice. Tell me does she play golf now? If she does she is going to have a job on her hands when I get back.

Is Paul still trying to get into the service? Why doesn’t he forget about it. I’m sure he wants to get action and maybe is called ??? but I had rather be called that than be called the forgotten solider. Tell him to stay home and do some work. Well did I have to close now. Hoping I will hear from both of you soon.

Herb.

The Official 5th Ranger Battalion History detailed the period from December through February as follows:

“On 28 December 1945, the Battalion moved to St. Avold, where it was attached to the 95th Infantry Division and given the task of preparing defenses to block any enemy penetration in the vicinity of St. Avold. This was the neriod of the German Ardennes offensive, and according to information received from prisoners of War, the next attack was to come in the St. Avold vicinity.

The Battalion Commander, his staff and Company Com-manders, after carefully reconnoitering the terrain, chose points from which to defend the city in case of an attack, and the companies dug into position. Ever since the Rangers crossed the beach on "D" Day, they had always wished for an opportunity to protect a strong point against enemy attack, vowing that they could really show the Krauts how it should be done,

— and this looked like that opportunity. It must be confessed that the Rangers actually hoped that the Krauts would try to take St. Avold. But fortunately or unfortunately, the Rangers did not get their wish, — not in St. Avold. However, they did have that opportunity later in the year, at Zerf, and they definitely proved their point.

On January 1st, at 0315 hours, an alert came; an enemy attack of undetermined strength was taking place in the 106 th Cavalry Group sector, and if the enemy could penetrate the Cavalry defenses, the Rangers in St. Avold would have to stop the advance. All units manned positions. However, the situation in the 106th Cavalry Group sector was clarified by 1000 hours and it proved to be a small counter-attack, easily repulsed by the Cavalry.

In the days that followed, a complete defense of St. Avold was established in every phase. Check posts were set up to screen the influx of civilians, both internal and external defense plans were written up and made familiar to all concerned, - the companies continued to improve positions and practice alerts were made regularly, many of which were observed by the Commanding General of the 95th Infantry Division and his staff. The practice alerts were executed with clocklike precision and if an attack should come, the Rangers would be ready. But whether or not

an enemy attack came, the time at St.

Avold was not wasted, as reinforcements were being recruited and trained.

On January 23rd, the Rangers were relieved of their St. Avold mission and moved to Johannesbannberg, France, there to continue training. On 9 February 1945, the Battalion was attached to the 94th Infantry Division and moved to Wehingen, Germany. The Rangers prepared defensive positions for the area and established hourly patrols for flank contact. The Ranger front was approximately 11,000 yards long, so here again was brought into practice, the vigorous, aggressive Ranger patrols that deceived the enemy as to the size of the unit that was opposing them, and drove terror into their hearts whenever a Ranger patrol was encountered by them.

Patrolling continued until 19 February 1945, and the ground was thoroughly reconnoitered. Exact locations of mine fields were made and charted, dragons' teeth, Anti Tank ditches and enemy troop dispositions were located, until the Rangers were completely familiar with every foot of the terrain. At 0600 hours of February 19th, "A" and "F" Companies attacked Northwest toward Oberleuken, Germany; "F" Company led, "A" followed, while a platoon of "B" furnished supporting fire. They attacked across the Anti Tank ditch, when the leading elements of "F" Company, already across the ditch, found themselves in the midst of an electrically controlled mine field, with mines already bursting with volcanic fury, all around them. To make matters even more confusing, an unmerciful crossfire of enemy machine guns opened fire, sweeping the Anti Tank ditch and mine field. Needless to state, numerous casualties were suffered and neither Ranger Company was able to advance. Mortar was thrown in on the Rangers caught in the ditch, causing further casualties and death to many already wounded.

The machine guns were found to be firing from well concealed pillboxes on either side of the ditch. The platoon of "B" Company was also held up by heavy machine gun fire, and was unable to advance. "E" Company also attacked and succeeded in getting one platoon across the Anti Tank ditch, but there it too was stopped by heavy machine gun fire and mortar fire. At 1700 hours that night, "A" Company moved from Ober-leuken, which was now clear, to Hellendorf, where they attacked the pillboxes that were holding up "E" and "F" Companies. With lightening-like fury, the Rangers of "A" Company captured the pillboxes and took 40 prisoners out of them. "F" Company was moved out to join "A" in Oberleuken, while Companies "E" and "B" moved to defensive positions for the night.

The day's fighting had caused 55 casualties against 40 enemy prisoners taken and twelve enemy killed. During the hours of darkness, some of the wounded Rangers were evacuated. All companies held defensive positions, and in the next two days, captured twenty prisoners.

At some point during F Company’s assault on February 19th, in the chaos of mines exploding, machine guns firing, and mortars landing in their midst, Corporal Hubert Henry Racette was Killed in Action. Just 6 days prior, Corporal Racette wrote his final letter home to his parents, which likely arrived just before or soon after they were notified of his death by the war department. It reads as follows:

February 13th, 1945 V-Mail

Dear mom and dad,

I received a letter from you last night and was very glad to get it and I was glad to hear you got the package I sent. Mom I would like very much to get another flag but I doubt if I can. Until I tell you different keep it where it won’t get soiled l. Maybe I will be able to get one. I’ll try my best.

I was glad to hear you were both in good shape. But dad and his cold I hope it isn’t too bad. Tell him he had better take care of himself. I hope that some day soon I will be able to be back and live a normal life again and will be able to go see both of you instead of writing. I don’t care to write for my writing isn’t what it should be. Mom I haven’t much time that is why I’m writing VMAIL. Maybe some day soon I can write a letter. I hope it is soon. Well mom don’t worry, I am ok and hope we can be together soon. Closing with all my love and kisses to you always.

Your son,

Herb.

Corporal Hubert Racette was initially buried in U. S. Military Cemetery Hamm, plot F, row 11, grave 269. Following his death, a flood of condolences were sent to his parents from Lt. Colonel Richard P Sullivan, the Commanding Officer of the 5th Ranger Battalion, to Vermont’s Governor Mortimer R Proctor. However, the most insightful look into their family’s processing of the news came in a small card dated March 13, 1945 from a relative that still lived in Canada, just 3 days after a letter was received by his parents that confirmed his death.

My dear Blanch and Oscar,

Your sad news surely grieved us all. It was such a shock to us and to you too. Mother took it real hard. Was quite bad yesterday. Was ???? And things didn’t go too well. Had a lot of pain, today is somewhat better. Good thing I saw your letter first as I saw it in the paper. I had it put in again in middlebury as he was so well known in the midd- and Salisbury. I saw Paul and he took it quite hard too. That is why dear Blanch and Oscar I think you should have a change to help you forget a little so why don’t you two come and then you could see John too. By the way what is John’s address? I’d write him. This War has brought much sorrow to so many. Never did I dream that you two would be among them. I’ll have a mass said for him. After you know for sure I’m suppose you’ll have a funeral mass for him as it allows. If you do we will go. there’s so little I can say to help you carry such a hard sorrow. Do know if I can do anything to help you let me know. I had a letter from ??? Legauet telling me that aurora Racette’s sister Marie, missionaries in ???? That had been taken by japs in the Philippines in 1941 had been released by the American troops. She is now took plane at Pearl harbor. She on her way back to Montreal. Well at least this is part of good news. So in a few week better take a trip. It will do you two good. Love to all from all of us.

Corporal Racette’s family eventually elected to not return his body to the United States and he was instead buried in the Lorraine American Cemetery in France in Plot K Row 39 Grave 28.

All 3 of Hubert’s siblings survived the War and his two sisters eventually were married and had children of their own, just as Hubert had dreamt of for himself. His father passed away in 1965 at the age of 72 and amazingly his mother Blanch didn’t pass away until 1998, at the age of 100, just a few months after what would have been her son Hubert’s 76th Birthday.