The Glasgow courier. [volume] (Glasgow, Mont.) 1913-current, 1919-01-03
BILL" BELZER WRITES

OAhh DhhLkN MILD
Leo Coleman received the following
letter a few days ago from VIM. Bel
zer, n of the original Co. &C" Glas-
gov boys:
France, Nov. 10, 1918.
Dear. old, Leo: Just returned to the
squadron a few days ago from leave.
which l, spent at Nice, Monte Carlo,
Mention and Paris, and say, old boy, L
wish you might have been here to have
helped me enjoy the trip, for l surely
had a great, time. But the worst of
it was, though, I couldn't ever gamble
a franc, so that, said, place was not
much of an attraction. When l re.
turned I found your letter with sew
eral others waiting for me, and to say
that it pleased me to hear from one of
the old gang would be putting it mild
ly, indeed. Another nice feature
about my return was the fact that
while l was away General Pershing
had seen fit tt award me the D. S. c.,
and shortly after returning, the chief
Of air service came out with said dec
grafton, and in front of the squadron
pinned it on me. Say, boy, I'm sure
proud of that little old cross and it
looks like a million.
I am enclosing a newspaper clip
ping telling how it was done, but if
they want me to win any more they
better get me an armored suit, as I'm
rather shaky from the last affair yet
Anyway we sure took care of the said
Boche and l have claimed two more,
so l think l have at least done part
of my share, and better still am here
to tell of it. Do you know a lot Of
fellows get that cross for being killed..
Well, I for one, don't want to have
any, if it's to be won like that.
Yop asked if l had had any fights.
Boy, that's my middle name and l
tell you it has deer, goose or any
other kind of hunting beat a mile for
excitement and sport. That is, it's
sport when you have an even break,
but when they outnumber you about
six or seven to one, then the sport
part is absolutely all'on the other side
and you begin to wonder if, or not,
you are going to get home, and many
is the time I have said, Bill, old boy,
you're taking your last ride, but.
have come through without a scratch
and the only reason l guess is that
wear a rabbits foot on my helmet.
and l never go up unless it's tied on
solid. Now, if you ever take a ride
be sure and wear one for | know it
works.
Have quite a collection of aerial
photos taken over several fronts n
intend to grab all l can before its too
late. They will make great souvenirs,
won't they? Also have a couple OF
shrapnel bits that I took out of old
number five-my old ship.
On the field here we have a Ger
man machine which n Of the boys
brought down almost intact, and we
have quite a lot of sport riding in it.
Guess I'll bring it home for a SOU
venir.
: How are all Of the old gang get
9 ting alone? Do you ever hear from
any of them? Do you know seldom
see any of the old gang; it's been Sc
9 long that l don't think l would know
them if l should see them. They must
2 be getting along in years.
Well, Leo, this no doubt is getting
s tiresome to you, so I'm going to ring
3 off. Give my best to your folks alne
8 all the bunch there that l know, ane
- I'll be back after peace is signed tt
81 drive another motor race.
- Most sincerely,
y LIEUT.. BILL BELZER,
135th Aero Squadron.
Amer. F.. F.